माधुर्य
English meaning: sweetness, charm
Definition
Mādhurya is sweetness — of voice, of character, of the divine itself. In bhakti theology it is the primary aesthetic quality of Kṛṣṇa's divine personality. Mādhurya attracts without compulsion, drawing the devotee through love rather than awe.
Example
“कृष्णस्य माधुर्यं भक्तान् आकर्षयति।”
In English: “The sweetness of Kṛṣṇa attracts devotees.”
Another example: “वंशीस्वरस्य माधुर्येण गोपिकाः मुग्धाः अभवन्।”
Usage — When, Where & How
Classical noun for sweetness — of voice, character or the divine; in bhakti theology the primary aesthetic mood (mādhurya-bhāva) of intimate love for Kṛṣṇa, contrasted with aiśvarya. Poetic, devotional and musical register.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
Abstract noun from madhura (sweet), itself from madhu (honey), with vṛddhi and suffix -ya.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- माधुर्यभावः
- स्वरमाधुर्यम्
- माधुर्यरसः
- वचनमाधुर्यम्
- कृष्णमाधुर्यम्
Word Forms
n., a-stem (neuter); nom./acc. माधुर्यम्, instr. माधुर्येण
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“मन्दः कवियशः प्रार्थी गमिष्याम्युपहास्यताम्। प्रांशुलभ्ये फले लोभादुद्बाहुरिव वामनः।।”
/Mandah kaviyashah prarthhi gamishyamyupahasytam. Pramshu-labhe phale lobhadud-bahur iva vamanah./
“Feeble-minded yet aspiring to a poet's fame, I go to be ridiculed — like a dwarf reaching for high fruit.”
“रामो विग्रहवान् धर्मः साधुः सत्यपराक्रमः”
/Ramo vigrahavan dharmah sadhuh satya-parakramah/
“Rama is righteousness incarnate — virtuous and true in valour.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- संस्कृतम्
- Sanskrit
- Script
- Devanagari
- Family
- Indo-Aryan
- Speakers
- 5M