Mada ( sa, मद) is a term used in both
Hindu theology
Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
and
mythology. It is one of the
Arishadvargas. It refers to one of the six enemy of the mind or a vice according to the
Hindu scriptures. It is the
Hindu
Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
equivalent of
Pride from the
seven deadly sins from the
Christian Theology
Christian theology is the theology of Christianity, Christian belief and practice. Such study concentrates primarily upon the texts of the Old Testament and of the New Testament, as well as on Christian tradition. Christian theology, theologian ...
.
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, 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
In Hindu mythology, Mada is a gigantic
Rakshasa (demon or monster) from the
Hindu
Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
text,
Mahabharata. It is created by sage
Chyavana in response to the Aswins returning his youth and vision. Mada's name (मद) means the ''intoxicator'', his strength being feared by the king of deva (Hinduism), devas, Indra. It has the ability to change its size, able to grow big enough to swallow the entire Hindu cosmology, universe in one gulp.
When the Aswins wished to become completely immortal by drinking Soma (drink), 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 Svagra, 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 Aswins. This enraged Indra, who planned to attack Chyavan with a mountain in one hand and a thunderbolt in the other, refusing to acknowledge the twins as worthy. Upon discovering this, Chyavan retaliated by creating the monster, 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 beast. Chyavan agreed, under the condition that the devas allowed the Aswins to participate in his feast at Svarga, and so gain their rightful place among the devas.
See also
*
Arishadvargas, six enemies
* Indra's major adversaries:
** Vritra
** Indrajit
References
External links
MahaBharat in Sacred Text.comBook 3 section 124 & book 14 section 9.
Asura
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