Mahā Karuṇa Dhāraṇī
The Great Compassion Mantra
Glossary
Avalokites(h)vara(8,35): arya(noble). Avalokite(see) + loka(world) + śvarā(sound); literally (lit.): Look upon
the sound of the world. Or: Looks upon the words in freedom (iśvarā).
arasam, pracali: king of dharma, buddha king. Pracli: son of the buddha, prince of dharma
bodhisattva: bodhi(englightened) sat(t)va (sentient being). sattva, also means existence.
cakra: prounced chakra, means wheel, as in wheel of life (bhava-cakra) or wheel of law.
cinda(sina): for the sound effect only; some translate as "great pledge". .
dharani : an invocation, a long mantra, which has magical powers in its recitation.
hri(h): seed syllable of Avalokitesvara, it represents Avalokitesvara.
mahasiddhas: the attatainment of extraordinary abilities (siddhi).
maitri: (lit.) "kindness, benevolence". A benevolence toward all beings that is free from attachment.
mala: (lit.) "garland", symbolize "immaculate".
mantra: magical-formula or invocation with occult power of sound.
mara: death, the devil. Embodiment of the selfish attachments and temptations that bind one to the
cycle of birth and death.
narakidi (5,27,22,33): virtuous.
Narakidi, Nilakantha(Sk.): The blue-necked, a name for a peacock, also for Siva because his
throat turned bluish-black from swallowing the poison (destroy every poison 17) produced at the churning of the ocean,
in order to save humanity. Siva is also known as the destoryer (28), restorer and celestial dancer
(whose dance is the driving force of the universe).
namo,namah, namas: take refuge in, rely on, put trust in; or pay homage to, adoration to, blessing!
Om (A U M): means oneness with the Supreme, the merging of the physical being with the spiritual.
The most sacred syllable, the first sound of Almighty. This scared syllable appears as a
mystic sound, regarded as the basis of every other mantra. It is the sound not only of
origination but also for dissolution. The past, present and future are included in this one
sound and even all that transcends this configuration of time is also implied in OM.
padma(32): padma(lotus), padmaka(red lotus) symbol of the true nature of beings. In Pure Land School, a symbol of dharma (buddha's doctrine).
ratna-traya: triple(traya) gems(ratna) means buddha, dharma(theosophial literature) and sangha (assembly of monks, fellow practitioners).
sara,siri,suru, huru: expression of feelings, also for the sound effects.
siddhi: (lit.)perfect ability. There are 8 ordinary siddhi (ability to fly, invisibility, clairvoyance,..),
enlightenment is the supreme siddhi.
Sirasam amukha(29): Singh(lion) amukha(mask); the lion-headed and(sam) face. The Dakini(female sky walker) helps us to
rid ourselves of the demons and ghosts which are a reflection of our negativity, both conscious and unconscious.
śīla-sam-amogha(29): sila(behavior, precept) sam(complete) amogha(non empty, spotless); completely spotless behaviour.
(i)svara: unconstrained, at ease, free from, liberated from. Attainment of liberation.
skṛtvaimoṃ(4): skrtva (scared), imom (self). The sacred self, divine within, buddha nature, ninth sense.
svaha: success; auspiously, perfectly fulfilled; hail! may a blessing rest on; So be it!
vaga: son or boy, the bodhisattva is seen as an innocent, immaculate image.
vajra: indestructible diamond, the thunderbolt symbol used in art and magic of Tibet as representing the force of adamantine truth.
yoge(yoga): that which "unites", therefore "union" with deity, dharma, nature.
-ya: suffix of a noun, passive voice; & means " to "
Nilakantha
Destroyer |
Nilakantha
Blue-necked |
Singh amukha
Lion face |
Hri
seed syllable |
