Mahant: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Religious superior of the temple}} |
{{Short description|Religious superior of the temple}} |
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{{other uses}} |
{{other uses}} |
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'''Mahant''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|ˈ|h|ʌ|n|t}}) is a religious superior, in particular the chief |
'''Mahant''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|ˈ|h|ʌ|n|t}}) is a religious superior, in particular the chief of a temple or the head of a monastery in [[Indian religions]].<ref>''New Oxford American Dictionary'' (2nd ed., 2005), p. 1020.</ref> [[James Mallinson (author)|James Mallinson]] describes the position of a mahant as a combination that of an [[abbot]] and a [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|brigadier]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roughton|first=Nicole|title=“Attending the Kumbh Mela at Nasik: some reflections from a SOAS mahant” by James Mallinson – South Asia Notes|url=https://blogs.soas.ac.uk/ssai-notes/2015/09/30/attending-the-kumbh-mela-at-nasik-some-reflections-from-a-soas-mahant-by-james-mallinson/|access-date=2021-09-16|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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== Etymology == |
== Etymology == |
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Revision as of 08:06, 16 September 2021
Mahant (/məˈhʌnt/) is a religious superior, in particular the chief of a temple or the head of a monastery in Indian religions.[1] James Mallinson describes the position of a mahant as a combination that of an abbot and a brigadier.[2]
Etymology
The Hindi word mahant comes from Prakrit mahanta-, Sanskrit mahat (accusative case: mahantam) meaning "great".[3]
Hinduism
Other titles for the word Mahant, serving in the context of a well known religious place, include priest or pundit—generally always being a gyani or pastor.
In other branches of Hinduism, the mahant is an ascetic who is the head and leader of the temple and has religious responsibilities as a preacher.[4] Mahant is used by Bairagis & Goswamis.
Sikhism
In Sikh history, the mahants were the hereditary managers who controlled and held the door keys of Sikh gurdwaras. After the creation of the SGPC and the Nankana massacre involving Mahant Narayan Das, a law was passed handing over gurdwaras to reformer Sikhs.[5]
References
- ^ New Oxford American Dictionary (2nd ed., 2005), p. 1020.
- ^ Roughton, Nicole. ""Attending the Kumbh Mela at Nasik: some reflections from a SOAS mahant" by James Mallinson – South Asia Notes". Retrieved 2021-09-16.
- ^ Webster's Third New International Dictionary, p. 1361.
- ^ Raymond Brady Williams (2001). An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism. Cambridge University Press. pp. 239. ISBN 052165422X.
- ^ Mahant Archived 2009-02-23 at the Wayback Machine
External links
- SGPC Glossary, "Mahant."
- WorldStatesmen India - princely States A-J