// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Mada say to her date? Mada about you.
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Mada (Sanskrit: मद) is a term used in both Hindu theology and mythology. It is one of the Arishadvargas. It refers to one of the six enemies of the mind or a vice according to the Hindu scriptures.
Etymology
[edit]Mada has various meanings such as exaltation, inspiration, intoxication, insanity, and drukness, along with its cognate madness. Negligence, intoxication, and pride are nuanced forms of madness per the Indic understanding.[1]
Hindu theology
[edit]According to the Hindu theology, mada signifies negative attributes such as "arrogance, excessive pride, obstinacy, stubborn mindedness".[2] It is seen as a major obstacle to attaining moksha, or salvation. If one bears mada towards another person, they cannot attain moksha. The presence of Mada in a person leads to ignorance which in turn leads to the corruption of the mind. According to Hindu scriptures, mada is often manifested due to a variety of reasons.
Hindu mythology
[edit]In the Mahabharata, mada is madness, personified as an asura (demon). He is described as a massive being who can swallow the entire cosmos.[3] He is called upon by sage Chyavana at the time when the Treta and Dvapara yugas meet.[4] Mada's name (मद) means the intoxicator, his strength being feared by the king of devas, Indra.
When the Ashvins wished to become completely immortal by drinking Soma (the elixir of immortality), they were insulted to discover that Indra had not invited them to his party at Svarga. The twins rushed to speak with Indra, who refused both Soma and access to Svarga, on the basis that they associated with mortals and changed form too freely. Following this, they sought the assistance of the great sage Chyavana.
Chyavana started to prepare a sacrifice in the name of the Ashvins. This enraged Indra, who planned to attack Chyavana with a mountain in one hand and a thunderbolt in the other, refusing to acknowledge the twins as worthy. Upon discovering this, Chyavana retaliated by creating the asura, Mada. Mada was said to have two sets of gigantic teeth and jaws, so enormous that one could engulf the earth while the other swallowed the heavens.
Realising Mada was going to swallow the entire universe (including the gods), Indra surrendered and asked the sage to call off the asura. Chyavana agreed, under the condition that the devas allowed the Ashvins to participate in his feast at Svarga, and so gain their rightful place among the devas.
See also
[edit]- Arishadvargas, six enemies
- Indra's major adversaries:
References
[edit]- ↑ Robertson, Matthew I. (1 May 2016). "In a Time Gone Mad: Indic Notions of Madness and Personhood in the Mahābhārata and Beyond". The Journal of Hindu Studies. 9 (1): 136. doi:10.1093/jhs/hiw013. ISSN 1756-4255.
- ↑ Shankarcharyara Granthabali, Basumati publication (Kolkata: 1995) volume 3
- ↑ Robertson, Matthew I. (May 2016). "In a Time Gone Mad: Indic Notions of Madness and Personhood in the Mahābhārata and Beyond". The Journal of Hindu Studies. 9 (1): 111–144. doi:10.1093/jhs/hiw013. ISSN 1756-4255.
- ↑ Robertson, Matthew I. (May 2016). "In a Time Gone Mad: Indic Notions of Madness and Personhood in the Mahābhārata and Beyond". The Journal of Hindu Studies. 9 (1): 111, 124. doi:10.1093/jhs/hiw013. ISSN 1756-4255.
External links
[edit]- MahaBharat in Sacred Text.com Book 3 section 124 & book 14 section 9.
Hindu deities and texts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gods |  | |
| Goddesses | ||
| Deity groups | ||
| Texts (list) | ||
 | This Hindu mythology–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |