Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

Maögalä (‘the auspicious one’)

An aspect of the Goddess (DEVÏ).

maögala (‘auspicious’, ‘benedictory’)

Maögala-stotra, an introductory verse

to major literary works, invoking the

blessings of gods and gurus, and often

summarizing in a few words the inten-

tions of the author.

Maæidvïpa (‘island of gems’)

The paradise of the Goddess (DEVÏ).

Situated above Brahmäloka, also called

Sarvaloka (‘all places’), it is described in

glowing terms in the Devï Bhägavata

Puräæaas of immense dimensions, con-

sisting of eighteen concentric enclo-

sures, each made of precious metals or

gems, filled with precious objects and

happy people. The innermost enclosure,

made of navaratna(nine jewels), con-

tains the seat of the Goddess: she is

seated on a throne whose legs are Vi•æu,

Brahmä, Rudra and Maheÿvara. She

dispenses enlightenment and enjoyment

and frees her devotees from the bondage

of the world. Maæidvïpa is described as

being of immense dimensions, filled

with lakes of nectar, gem-bearing trees,

beautiful birds and surrounded by rivers

of milk, honey and juices of all sorts.

The mountains of the island are made of

a variety of gems. All inhabitants enjoy

the highest bliss for ever. To come to

this place, a person only has to remem-

ber Devï seated in Maæidvïpa at the

time of death.

Mäæikkaväcakar (c. 650–715 CE)

(‘the ruby-worded’)

Born of brahmin parents near Madurai,

he was for a time chief minister of the

kingdom of Madurai. He became a

SAMNYÄSIand one of the greatest of the

63 NÄYAŒMÄRS. He was author of the

famous Tiruväcakam(‘Sacred words’),

a collection of Tamil hymns in praise of

Ÿiva, widely used in Tamilnädü, and of

the Tirukovaiar, describing the love

between Ÿiva and Pärvatï. His IMAGEis

worshipped in many South Indian Ÿiva

temples.

Maæimat

A demon, slain by BHÏMA(2). Followers

of MADHVA spread the story that

ŸA¢KARA was in fact Maæimat, the ille-

gitimate son of a widow, dedicated to

misleading those destined to remain in

SAßSÄRA.

manomaya (‘made of mind’)

One of the sheaths of the self.

According to Upani•adic teaching the

self is ‘layered’, with a variable number

of ‘sheaths’ surrounding the spiritual

core, or ätmanproper. The outermost

layer consists of food (annamaya koÿa),

then comes the ‘breath sheath’ (präna-

maya koÿa), the ‘mind sheath’

(manomaya koÿa), enveloping ‘under-

standing’ (vijñänamaya koÿa), which

surrounds the spirit–soul (ätman). All

the ‘sheaths’ are perishable and subject

to change; only the ätman(pure CON-

SCIOUSNESS) is eternal and unchanging. It

is the aim of the process of LIBERATION

to divest the ätmanof these enveloping

sheaths, through which it is connected

with SAßSARA.

mantra (1)

Vedic hymn, sacred text (if it is metrical

and to be recited loudly it is called øk; if

in prose and muttered in a low tone, it

is called yajus; if intended for chanting

it is called säman).

mantra (2)

The Vedic SAßHITÄS.

mantra (3)

Spell, charm, incantation, powerful for-

mula or word. Part of the initiation cer-

emony into a saƒpradäya consists of

113 mantra

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