མཐུ་བོ་ཆེ། | Glossary of Terms

Major deity in the pantheon of the classical Indian religious traditions, he is famous for his strength.

An alternate name for Viṣṇu (khyab ’jug), which is also used for Brahmā and for Kṛṣṇa. The Sanskrit is variously interpreted as “the path of human beings” and “the son of man.” In Buddhist texts it is used for powerful beings such as Śakra. The usual Tibetan translation is sred med kyi bu, meaning “the son of Nāra,” with Nāra translated as “one without craving.” However, here it appears to be translated as mthu bo che (“great power”).

One of the names of Viṣṇu in the Hindu tradition, primarily used in Buddhist literature as a paragon of bodily strength.

The primeval man; an epithet of Viṣṇu.

Literally, “Child of No Craving”; a name of the god Viṣṇu.

In the ancient Indian tradition he is the son of the first man. He is later seen as a powerful avatar of Viṣṇu and also as the progenitor of Brahmā. In Buddhist texts, he figures in various ways including (as he does in most of this text) as a bodhisattva, while still one of the most powerful gods of the realm of form.

Major deity in the pantheon of the classical Indian religious traditions, he is famous for his strength.

A great bodhisattva, a buddha, and one of the ten incarnations of the Hindu deity Viṣṇu, embodying superhuman strength.

Epithet of Viṣṇu.

An alternate name for Viṣṇu (khyab ’jug).

An alternate name for Viṣṇu (khyab ’jug), which is also used for Brahmā and Kṛṣṇa. The Sanskrit is variously interpreted as “the path of human beings,” and “the son of man.” The Tibetan here is “the son of Nāra,” with Nāra translated as “one without craving.”

An alternate name for Viṣṇu. The Sanskrit is variously interpreted, including as “dwelling in water,” but is most obviously “the path of human beings.”

Another name for the Hindu god Viṣṇu.

In the ancient Indian tradition, the son of the first man; later seen as a powerful avatar of Viṣṇu, but also as the progenitor of Brahmā. In Buddhist texts, he figures in various ways including (as he does in most of this text) as a bodhisattva, while still one of the most powerful gods of the Realm of Form (as in 1.21).

One of the epithets of Viṣṇu.

In the ancient Indian tradition, the son of the first man; later seen as a powerful avatar of Viṣṇu, but also as the progenitor of Brahmā. In Buddhist texts, he figures in various ways including as a bodhisattva, while still one of the most powerful gods of the form realm.

One of the epithets of Viṣṇu.

One of the ten incarnations of the Hindu deity Viṣṇu, embodying superhuman strength.

In Indian lore, incarnation of Viṣṇu, whose strength was legendary (see Abhi­dharma­kośa VII, pp. 72-74).

An alternate name for Viṣṇu. The Sanskrit is variously interpreted, including as “dwelling in water,” but is most obviously “the path of human beings.”

An alternate name of the Brahmanical deity Viṣṇu.

An alternate name for Viṣṇu (khyab ’jug).

Another name for the Brahmanical god Viṣṇu.

“Child of No Craving,” a name of Viṣṇu.

One of the ten incarnations of the Hindu deity Viṣṇu, embodying superhuman strength.

Another name for the god Viṣṇu.

An alternate name for Viṣṇu.

In the Hindu tradition understood as the god Viṣṇu in the form of the “Supreme Lord.” He is associated with the peacock feather. Not to be confused with the householder Viṣṇu.

A name of Viṣṇu.

Another name of the Brahmanical god Viṣṇu.

An alternate name for Viṣṇu (khyab ’jug).

One of the ten incarnations of the deity Viṣṇu, he is known for his superhuman strength.

A common epithet of the brahmanical deity Viṣṇu.

A common epithet of the brahmanical deity Viṣṇu.

A common epithet of the brahmanical deity Viṣṇu.

A common epithet of the brahmanical deity Viṣṇu.

One of the emanations of Viṣṇu.

An epithet of Viṣṇu.

A powerful deity of the desire realm, more commonly known as Viṣṇu.