Mada
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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]
As an obstacle to moksha
[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.
As a personified form
[edit]In the Mahabharata, mada is madness, personified as an asura (demon). He is also categorized as a krtya, the product of sorcery. 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 form is compared to Krishna's visvarupa at the climax of the Bhagavad Gita.[3]
In return for the Asvinidevas restoring sage Cyavana's eyesight, Cyavana asked what they wanted. The Asvinidevas wanted the ban Indra had placed on drinking soma lifted. Cyavana began a yajna and invited all the devas, including Indra and the Ashvinidevas. Indra objected to the Asvinidevas partaking in the soma and began a fight with Cyavana.[5] At that time, Cyavana calls upon Mada, who appears out of the sacrificial fire. Once Indra surrenders, Cyavana withdraws Mada and tears him into four pieces.[6]
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
- 1 2 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.
- ↑ "Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature : Mani, Vettam, 1921- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. p. 190. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
- ↑ "Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature : Mani, Vettam, 1921- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. p. 458. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
External links
[edit]- MahaBharat in Sacred Text.com Book 3 section 124 & book 14 section 9.
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