Madhava (Vishnu)

Madhava (Sanskrit: माधव, IAST: Mādhava) is one of the primary epithets of Vishnu and Krishna. The word Mādhava in Sanskrit is a vṛddhi derivation of the word Madhu (Sanskrit: मधु), which means honey. It is a title of Krishna, referring to his lineage as 'he who appeared the Madhu dynasty'.[1]

In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna addresses Krishna as Madhava (meaning "lord of fortune"; not to confused with a secondary name, Madhusudana, which means "slayer of the demon Madhu").[2]

According to Adi Shankara's commentary on the Vishnu Sahasranama and the Narada Pancharatra, Madhava means the consort (dhava) of the mother (ma), referring to Lakshmi, the goddess called the 'mother of the universe'. Alternatively, it means the 'one who is fit to be known through Madhu-vidya', or can mean the 'one who is the lord of ma, or knowledge.[3]

Madhava is the name by which Lord MahaVishnu will reincarnate by the end of Kaliyuga to establish the righteousness as per the sanaatan scriptures like Bhavishya Malika. It is also mentioned in the scriptures that devotees will be uplifted and receive his grace by chanting his name "Madhav".[4] Along with his name, Trisandhya[5] and Sreemad Bhagwat Mahapuran[6]would also be as important to be in his protection, as mentioned in the scriptures like Bhavishya Maalika, Ramcharitmans, Sreemad Bhagwat Mahapuran[6] and others.[7]

Literature

In the Skanda Purana, Shiva mentions Madhava as an epithet of Vishnu, described as the one who holds the conch, discus and mace.[8]

In the Garuda Purana, the hymn to Vishnu composed by Markandeya includes the verse, "I crave the mercy of Madhava and of Janardana, what shall Death do unto me?"[9]

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In the Harivamsa Purana, during the episode of Krishna's elopement with Princess Rukmini, the epithet is mentioned during his battle against Rukmi:

Although Rukshmi was very careful the highly powerful and valiant Madhava cut off the standard of his car and the head of his charioteer from his body.

— Harivamsa Purana, Chapter 61

See also

References

  1. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2009-04-12). "Madhava, Mādhava, Mādhavā: 29 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  2. ^ Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita, a New Translation and Commentary, Chapter 1-6. Penguin Books, 1969, p 37 (v 14)
  3. ^ "Narada Pancharatra [relj32kmyvn1]". idoc.pub. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  4. ^ "Why is "Madhav" a Special Name? Benefits of Chanting". Bhavishya Malika.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "What Is Trisandhya or Trikal Sandhya, and How to Practice It?". Bhavishya Maalika.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b "Why Should One Read Only the Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran?". Bhavishya Malika.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Bhavishya Malika Articles". Bhavishya Maalika.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2021-04-16). "Greatness of Mādhava [Chapter 299]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  9. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2015-04-16). "The hymn to Vishnu composed by the holy Markandeya [Chapter CCXLIII]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
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