Māra

[ mahr-uh ]

noun

1. Hindu Mythology. the god of death, sometimes seen as one aspect of a god whose other aspect is Kama, or erotic desire.
2. Buddhism. Satan, who tried to seduce the Buddha at the time of his Enlightenment.

mara

¹

/ məˈrɑː /

noun

1. a harelike South American rodent, Dolichotis patagonum, inhabiting the pampas of Argentina: family Caviidae (cavies)

mara

²

/ maˈra /

noun

1. one of several organized criminal gangs of Central American origin also operating in the US

Word History and Origins

Origin of Māra¹

from American Spanish mará, perhaps of Araucanian origin

Origin of Māra²

C20: from Spanish: gang

Example Sentences

Māra Corey, an English teacher at Irondale Senior High School in New Brighton, Minn., said she discussed the matter with her students almost immediately so they could understand how using the tool could impede their learning.

From Washington Post

"And when Māra had thus spoken, Ānanda, I answered him and said: 'Make thyself happy, O wicked one; the final extinction of the Tathāgata shall take place before long.'"

From Project Gutenberg

The name of one of Māra's daughters, q. v.—36.

From Project Gutenberg

The sun sinks down and leaves us in utter darkness, the shades of night steal over us, and Māra, the evil one, buries our bodies in the grave.

From Project Gutenberg

Ye are the soldiers of the Tathāgata, while Māra, the Evil One, is the enemy who must be conquered.

From Project Gutenberg