Mada () is a term used in both Hindu theology and

mythology Myth is a genre of folklore consisting primarily of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society. For scholars, this is very different from the vernacular usage of the term "myth" that refers to a belief that is not true. Instead, the ...

. 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. It is the

Hindu Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...

equivalent of

Pride Pride is a human Emotion, secondary emotion characterized by a sense of satisfaction with one's Identity (philosophy), identity, performance, or accomplishments. It is often considered the opposite of shame or of humility and, depending on conte ...

from the

seven deadly sins The seven deadly sins (also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins) function as a grouping of major vices within the teachings of Christianity. In the standard list, the seven deadly sins according to the Catholic Church are pride, greed ...

from the

Christian Theology Christian theology is the theology – the systematic study of the divine and religion – of Christianity, Christian belief and practice. It concentrates primarily upon the texts of the Old Testament and of the New Testament, as well as on Ch ...

Hindu theology

According to the Hindu theology, it signifies negative attributes such as "arrogance, excessive pride, obstinacy, stubborn mindedness".Shankarcharyara Granthabali, Basumati publication (Kolkata: 1995) volume 3 It is seen as a major obstacle to attaining

moksha ''Moksha'' (; , '), also called ''vimoksha'', ''vimukti'', and ''mukti'', is a term in Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism for various forms of emancipation, liberation, '' nirvana'', or release. In its soteriological and eschatologic ...

, or salvation. If one bears ''mada'' towards another person, they cannot attain

. 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

In Hindu mythology, Mada is a gigantic

asura Asuras () are a class of beings in Indian religions, and later Persian and Turkic mythology. They are described as power-seeking beings related to the more benevolent Devas (also known as Suras) in Hinduism. In its Buddhist context, the wor ...

(demon) from the

text,

Mahabharata The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; , , ) is one of the two major Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epics of ancient India revered as Smriti texts in Hinduism, the other being the ''Ramayana, Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kuru ...

. It is created by sage

Chyavana Chyavana () was a sage (rishi) in Hinduism. He was a son of Bhrigu, also known as Bhrigu Varuni in the Upanishads, and is known for his rejuvenation through a special herbal paste (ayurvedic jam) or tonic known as '' chyavanaprasham'', which ...

in response to the

Ashvins The Ashvins (, ), also known as the Ashvini Kumaras and Asvinau,, §1.42. are Hindu deities, Hindu Divine twins, twin gods associated with medicine, health, healing, sciences, and the twilight. In the ''Rigveda'', they are described as youthf ...

returning his youth and vision. Mada's name (मद) means the ''intoxicator'', his strength being feared by the king of

deva Deva may refer to: Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Deva, List of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition monsters, an ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' 2nd edition monster * Deva, in the 2023 Indian film ''Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefir ...

Indra Indra (; ) is the Hindu god of weather, considered the king of the Deva (Hinduism), Devas and Svarga in Hinduism. He is associated with the sky, lightning, weather, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, and war. volumes Indra is the m ...

. It has the ability to change its size, able to grow big enough to swallow the entire

universe The universe is all of space and time and their contents. It comprises all of existence, any fundamental interaction, physical process and physical constant, and therefore all forms of matter and energy, and the structures they form, from s ...

in one gulp. 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 Svarga (, ), also known as Swarga, Indraloka and Svargaloka, is the celestial abode of the devas in Hinduism. Svarga is one of the seven higher lokas ( esoteric planes) in Hindu cosmology. Svarga is often translated as heaven, though it is reg ...

. 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.

References

External links

MahaBharat in Sacred Text.com
Book 3 section 124 & book 14 section 9. Asura {{hindu-myth-stub

Hindu theology

Hindu mythology

See also

References

External links