Mahisha, ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a, Mahisa, ²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a, Mahīśa: 41 definitions
Introduction:
Mahisha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Jainism, Prakrit, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit terms ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a and ²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a and Mahīśa can be transliterated into English as Mahisa or Mahisha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Alternative spellings of this word include Mahish.
Images (photo gallery)
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In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)
: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval India²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a (माहिà¤�) refers to a type of fish whose meat (³¾Äåṃs²¹) is classified as “aquaticâ€� (apcara) according to the 17th century BhojanakutÅ«hala (»å°ù²¹±¹²â²¹²µ³ÜṇÄg³Üṇa-°ì²¹³Ù³ó²¹²Ô²¹), and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as ±ÊÄå°ì²¹Å›Äå²õ³Ù°ù²¹ or ±ÊÄå°ì²¹°ì²¹±ôÄå.—The text [³¾Äåṃs²¹-prakar²¹á¹‡a] says the three fold division of meat [such as aquatic (apcara)...]. Here different types of meat and their properties are discussed in detail. The aquatic animals are [viz., ³¾Äå³ó¾±á¹£a].
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
: Shodhganga: Portrayal of Animal Kingdom (Tiryaks) in Epics An Analytical study²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) refers to either the Buffalo or the Murrah breed (Bubalus bubalis), according to scientific texts such as the Má¹›gapaká¹£iÅ›Ästra (Mriga-pakshi-shastra) or “the ancient Indian science of animals and birdsâ€� by Hamsadeva, containing the varieties and descriptions of the animals and birds seen in the Sanskrit Epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: Wisdom Library: Ä€yurveda and botany²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) is a Sanskrit word referring to the animal “buffalowâ€�. The meat of this animal is part of the ³¾Äåṃs²¹varga (‘group of fleshâ€�), which is used throughout Ayurvedic literature. The animal ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a is part of the sub-group named Ä€nupa³¾á¹›g²¹, refering to animals “who live in marshy landâ€�. It was classified by Caraka in his CarakasaṃhitÄ ²õÅ«³Ù°ù²¹²õthÄna (chapter 27), a classical Ayurvedic work. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic properties of the substance.
The meat of the buffalow (³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a) is unctuous, hot, sweet, aphrodisiac, heavy and saturating. It produces firmness, bulk, courage and sleep.
: archive.org: Sushruta samhita, Volume I²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष)—Sanskrit word for the animal “buffaloâ€� (Bubalus bubalis). This animal is from the group called KÅ«lacara (‘shore-dwellersâ€�). KÅ«lacara itself is a sub-group of the group of animals known as Ä€nupa (those that frequent marshy places).
The flesh of the Buffalo is demulcent, heat-making (in its potency), sweet, spermatopoietic, pleasant and heavy of digestion It increases strength and virility and imparts firmness to the tissues, and is hypnotic and galactagoguic.
: archive.org: Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita (first 5 chapters)²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a (माहिà¤�) refers to “milk coming from the buffaloâ€�, as mentioned in verse 5.21-23 of the ´¡á¹£á¹Äåá¹…g²¹³óá¹›d²¹²â²¹²õ²¹á¹ƒh¾±³ÙÄå (SÅ«trasthÄna) by ³ÕÄå²µ²ú³ó²¹á¹a.—Accordingly, “[...] among the (different kinds of milk [viz., payas]), [...] wholesome for those stricken with excessive digestion and insomnia, very heavy, (and) cooling (is) buffalo’s [viz., ³¾Äå³ó¾±á¹£a] milkâ€�.
Note: ²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a (“buffalo’s milkâ€�) has been transferred to the head of the sentence and reproduced by ma-hei o-ma, for which NP have substituted the grammatically less correct ma-he o-ma. As ³¾Äå³ó¾±á¹£a has come to stand before atyagnyanidra, so has hita come to stand after it.

Ä€yurveda (आयà¥à¤°à¥à¤µà¥‡à¤¦, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ä€yurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
: Wisdom Library: VarÄha-purÄṇa1) ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष).—Name of a settlement (janapada) situated near the seven great mountains on the western side of mount Naiá¹£adha, according to the ³Õ²¹°ùÄå³ó²¹±è³Ü°ùÄåṇa chapter 83. These settlements consume the water flowing from these seven great mountains (ViÅ›Äkha, Kambala, Jayanta, Kṛṣṇa, Harita, AÅ›oka and VardhamÄna). Niá¹£adha (Naiá¹£adha) is one of the seven mountains located in JambÅ«»å±¹Ä«±è²¹, ruled over by Ä€gnÄ«dhra, a grandson of SvÄyambhuva Manu.
2) ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष).—One of the seven major mountains in KuÅ›a»å±¹Ä«±è²¹, according to the ³Õ²¹°ùÄå³ó²¹±è³Ü°ùÄåṇa chapter 87. It is also known by the name Hari. KuÅ›a»å±¹Ä«±è²¹ is one of the seven islands (»å±¹Ä«±è²¹), ruled over by Vapuá¹£mÄn, one of the ten sons of Priyavrata, son of SvÄyambhuva Manu.
SvÄyambhuva Manu was created by BrahmÄ, who was in turn created by NÄrÄy²¹á¹‡a, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.
The ³Õ²¹°ùÄå³ó²¹±è³Ü°ùÄåṇa is categorised as a MahÄpurÄṇa, and was originally composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century. It is composed of two parts and SÅ«ta is the main narrator.
: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष).—An Asura.
. Birth. Long ago there was a famous Asura King named Danu. Two sons named Rambha and Karambha were born to him. Having no issue, they decided to worship MÄlavaá¹a yaká¹£a, praying to be blessed with children. They started tapas, Karambha, in the middle of water and Rambha in the middle of PañcÄgni. Indra was alarmed at their tapas. He took the form of a crocodile and went into the water in which Karambha was standing and caught hold of his feet, pulling him down. Karambha was drowned. The mighty Rambha who was enraged at the death of his brother, decided to cut off his own head and offer it as sacrifice in the fire. He drew his sword and was about to cut off his head, when Agni, the god of fire, appeared before him and stopped him saying:â€�"Do not kill yourself. Killing another person itself is a sin. Suicide is a more serious sin. Ask for any boon you wish to have; I shall grant it. Do not put an end to your life." (See full article at Story of ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)
: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) refers to a “buffaloâ€� and represents the mount of Yama, according to the ÅšivapurÄṇa 2.2.36. Accordingly, as BrahmÄ narrated to NÄrada:—“Indra mocked at Viṣṇu who was engrossed in his own arguments. He, the bearer of the thunderbolt, was desirous of fighting VÄ«rabhadra along with the other Devas. Then Indra rode on his elephant, the fire-god rode on a goat, Yama rode on his buffalo (³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a) and Nirá¹›ti rode on a ghostâ€�.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष).—A son of AnuhrÄda and SÅ«rmyÄ: fought with VibhÄvasu in the DevÄsura war.*
- * BhÄgavata-purÄṇa VI. 18. 16; VIII. 10. 32.
1b) The son of Āyu and father of Sahasa.*
- * BrahmÄṇá¸a-purÄṇa II. 12. 40.
1c) A mountain of KuÅ›a»å±¹Ä«±è²¹ (ÅšÄlmali»å±¹Ä«±è²¹m br., vÄ., and Viṣṇu-purÄṇa); here lives a fire called ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a, and born of waters.*
- * BrahmÄṇá¸a-purÄṇa II. 19. 40-41. Matsya-purÄṇa 122. 59-60; VÄyu-purÄṇa 49. 37. Viṣṇu-purÄṇa II. 4. 27.
1d) The name of a water-born fire in the ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a hill of the ÅšÄlmali»å±¹Ä«±è²¹.*
- * BrahmÄṇá¸a-purÄṇa II. 19. 41; VÄyu-purÄṇa 49. 37.
1e) An Asura residing in RasÄtalam;1 was present at TÄraka's coronation; a commander of TÄraka's force and had a chariot drawn by camels;2 threw sÄvitram astra against Kubera; defeated both Nṛṛti and Varuṇa and released Kujambha from the noose; ²õ´Ç³¾Äå²õ³Ù°ù²¹ and ±¹Äå²â²¹±¹²âÄå²õ³Ù°ù²¹ throwing out snow and wind, were sent to disable the Asuras, when KÄlanemi created a glowing fire by ³¾Äå²âÄå and removed the snow and wind etc;3 found Mathana vanquished by JanÄrdana and sent his Śūla against JanÄrdana and Åšakti against Garuá¸a when JanÄrdana repelled him and said: “You are to be killed by a woman; get away;4 killed by DurgÄ.5
- 1) BrahmÄṇá¸a-purÄṇa II. 20. 39.
- 2) Matsya-purÄṇa 147. 28; 148. 42, 50.
- 3) Ib. 150. 113, 135; 151. 13.
- 4) Ib. 152. 17-24.
- 5) BrahmÄṇá¸a-purÄṇa IV. 29. 75 and 88.
1f) A son of Maya.*
- * BrahmÄṇá¸a-purÄṇa III. 6. 29; VÄyu-purÄṇa 68. 28.
1g) The kingdom of, to be ruled over by Guha.*
- * BrahmÄṇá¸a-purÄṇa III. 74. 198.
1h) Born of SurabhÄ«; Buffalo as the riding animal of Yama; as also of VÄrÄhÄ«;1 its flesh for Å›rÄddha.2
1i) An Asura of Śrītalam.*
- * VÄyu-purÄṇa 50. 38.
1j) A Vindhyan tribe: Puá¹£pamitra was a king;1 born of Haṃsa KÄli;2 the kingdom of.3
1k) A Janapada of the KetumÄlÄ continent.*
- * VÄyu-purÄṇa 44. 12.
2a) ²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a (माहिà¤�).—The region under the Guhas.*
- * Viṣṇu-purÄṇa IV. 24. 65.
2b) A royal dynasty.*
- * VÄyu-purÄṇa 99. 374.
²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) is a name mentioned in the ²Ñ²¹³óÄå²ú³óÄå°ù²¹³Ù²¹ (cf. IX.44.77) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The ²Ñ²¹³óÄå²ú³óÄå°ù²¹³Ù²¹ (mentioning ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 Å›±ô´Ç°ì²¹²õ (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

The Purana (पà¥à¤°à¤¾à¤�, purÄṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
: archive.org: Natya Shastra²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष).—Description of a women of buffalo (³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a) type;—A woman who has a broad backbone, teeth, sides, belly, tawny hairs, is turbulent and hater of men, fond of intercourse, has a slightly broad (lit. raised) mouth, large forehead and hips, and is fond of forests and sporting in water, has the nature of a buffalo (³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a).

Natyashastra (नाटà¥à¤¯à¤¶à¤¾à¤¸à¥à¤¤à¥à¤°, ²ÔÄåá¹y²¹Å›Äå²õ³Ù°ù²¹) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Dharmashastra (religious law)
: PrÄcyÄ: Animals and animal products as reflected in Smá¹›ti texts²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) refers to the animal “Buffaloâ€� (Bubalus bubalis).—The Smá¹›tis mention several domestic as well as wild animals that are enumerated in context of specifying expiation for killing them, the flesh being used as a dietary article to give satisfaction to the Manes (Pitá¹›s) in ÅšrÄddha rites, the law of transmigration due to various sins committed as well as in the context of specifying gifts to be given on various occasions. These animals [viz., ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a] are chiefly mentioned in the Manusmá¹›ti, ParÄÅ›arasmá¹›ti [Chap.6], Gautamasmá¹›ti [17.2 and 15.1], ÅšÄtÄtapasmá¹›ti [II.45-54], UÅ›Änasmá¹›ti [IX.7-9; IX.12-13], YÄjñavalkyasmá¹›ti [I.170-171; I.175; I.258- 260], Viṣṇusmá¹›ti [51.3;51.6;51.26;51.33;80.3-14], UttarÄá¹…girasasmá¹›ti [X.15-17], PrajÄpatismá¹›ti [ÅšrÄddhatyÄjyavastuvarṇanam. 138-143], 9 KÄÅ›yapasmá¹›ti [Section on PrÄyaÅ›cittavarṇanam], Vá¹›ddha HÄrÄ«tasmá¹›ti [6.253-255] and KÄtyÄyanasmá¹›ti [27.11].

Dharmashastra (धरà¥à¤®à¤¶à¤¾à¤¸à¥à¤¤à¥à¤�, dharmaÅ›Ästra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) is a king of the demons slain by the Goddess, according to the Kularatnoddyota (chapter 9).—We are told in the Kularatnoddyota that prior to the goddess’s incarnation in the nineteenth kalpa as Daká¹£a’s daughter, she will come into the world to kill the demons C²¹á¹‡á¸a and Muṇá¸a. Then as DurgÄ and KÄtyÄy²¹á¹‡Ä� in “a black and brown (°ìṛṣṇa±è¾±á¹…g²¹±ôÄå)â€� form she will slay ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a, the king of the demons. She then appears again in the end of the ¶Ù±¹Äå±è²¹°ù²¹ Age, as described in the PurÄṇas, to slay the evil king Kaṃsa and thereby save the newly-born Kṛṣṇa. Again, the JayadrathayÄmala says practically the same, identifying the goddess of the nineteenth and last age as BhadrakÄlÄ«.

Shakta (शाकà¥à¤�, Å›Äkta) or Shaktism (Å›Äktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira1) ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) refers to a “buffaloâ€�, according to the Bá¹›hatsaṃhitÄ (chapter 3), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by VarÄhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiá¹£a).—Accordingly, “If at rising and setting the sun should be hid by clouds of the shape of implements of war, he will bring on strife; if these clouds should appear like a deer, a buffalo, a bird, an ass or a young camel [i.e., ³¾á¹›g²¹-³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a-vihaga-khara-karabha-sadṛśa], mankind will be afflicted with fears. The planets, when subjected to the hot rays of the sun are freed from their impurities just as gold is purified by the action of the fireâ€�.
2) ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) is the name of an ancient kingdom or tribe of people, according to the Bá¹›hatsaṃhitÄ (chapter 9).—Accordingly, “The four constellations from Bhar²¹á¹‡i are known as the first ³¾²¹á¹‡á¸²¹±ô²¹ (circle or division). If Venus should reappear in it there will be prosperity in the land; the people of Vaá¹…ga and of Aá¹…ga, the ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£as, the VÄhlÄ«kÄs and the Kaliá¹…gas will be afflicted with fears. If Venus, who so reappears in the said circle, should be crossed by a planet, the rulers of the BhadrÄs, of the AÅ›vas, of Śūrasenakas and of the Yaudheyas and Koá¹ivará¹£a will perishâ€�.

Jyotisha (जà¥à¤¯à¥‹à¤¤à¤¿à¤�, Âá²â´Ç³Ù¾±á¹£a or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomyâ€� or “Vedic astrologyâ€� and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
Kavya (poetry)
: Brill: Åšaivism and the Tantric Traditions (kavya)²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) refers to a “buffaloâ€�, according to BÄṇa’s KÄdambarÄ« (p. 226).—There is a mix of suspicion, fear and reverential awe underlying the image of the forbidding shrine tucked away in the wilds, with its TÄntrika priest who knows not how ‘appropriateâ€� worship should be conducted, and its blood-spattered, grisly interiors.The very opposite of this ambivalent attitude surfaces in BÄṇa’s unequivocally laudatory poem to DurgÄ, the C²¹á¹‡á¸Ä«Å›ataka—verse 8 of which is consciously alluded here in “she seemed to be scolding the wild buffalo (vana-³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a) who had offended by moving the trident-shaft by scratching his shoulders [on it]â€�

Kavya (कावà¥à¤�, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetryâ€� and natya, or ‘dramatic poetryâ€�.
Vastushastra (architecture)
: Brill: Åšaivism and the Tantric Traditions (architecture)²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a (माहिà¤�) refers to a “buffaloâ€�, according to the DevyÄmata (in the section Å›²¹±ô²â´Ç»å»å³óÄå°ù²¹-±è²¹á¹a±ô²¹ or “excavation of extraneous substancesâ€�).—Accordingly, “[...] If a horse steps over [a cord], [the officiant] should prognosticate an extraneous thing related to a buffalo (³¾Äå³ó¾±á¹£a) [, i.e. the bone of a buffalo beneath the ground. If a buffalo (³¾Äå³ó¾±á¹£a) steps over [a cord], there is the bone of a jackal [beneath the site]. [...]â€�.

Vastushastra (वासà¥à¤¤à¥à¤¶à¤¾à¤¸à¥à¤¤à¥à¤�, vÄstuÅ›Ästra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) refers to a “buffaloâ€� (i.e., ‘riding on buffalos in dreamsâ€�), according to the Svacchanda-tantra.—Accordingly, [verse 4.21-27, while describing inauspicious dreams]—“[...] [He dreams of] the destruction of houses, palaces, beds, clothes, and seats; defeat of oneself in battle and theft of ones things. [He] ascends or is amongst donkeys, camels, dogs, jackals, and herons, vultures, and cranes. [He rides on] buffalos (³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a), owls, and crows, eats cooked meat, [wears a] red garland, and ointment for the body. [...]â€�

Shaiva (शै�, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (shilpa)²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) refers to “buffaloâ€� and in iconography is associated with Yama, according to the ViṣṇudharmottarapurÄṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—In the context of having ³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a i.e., a buffalo as ±¹Äå³ó²¹²Ô²¹ of Yama, the view points of the ViṣṇudharmottarapurÄṇa , the KÄÅ›yapaÅ›ilpa and the Åšilparatna seem to be similar. Thus it is clear that the ViṣṇudharmottarapurÄṇa offers a great field of knowledge regarding the nuances of Indian art of Image making [e.g., ³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£aâ€�buffalo] during 10thâ€�11th century A.D.

Shilpashastra (शिलà¥à¤ªà¤¶à¤¾à¤¸à¥à¤¤à¥à¤°, Å›ilpaÅ›Ästra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
General definition (in Hinduism)
: Academia.edu: The Rite of DurgÄ in Medieval BengalIn the KÄlikÄ PurÄṇa (verse 60.146) a legend appears where Åšiva (²µ¾±°ùīś²¹) is described as being incarnated as ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a in the womb of a female buffalo. In brief, the background to this event is as follows. ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a’s father Rambha is a devout follower of Åšiva. Pleased with his worship, Åšiva grants him a boon that he himself will be born as Rambha’s son. On his way home, Rambha falls madly in love with a young and pleasing she-buffalo, whom he impregnates. Åšiva imbues the foetus in the buffalo’s womb with a portion from his body.
Similar myths where Mahiá¹£Äsura is depicted in a sympathetic light as a Åšiva devotee and a ‘portion descendantâ€� (²¹á¹ƒÅ›Äv²¹³ÙÄå°ù²¹) of Åšiva also appear in Tamil texts from the period such as the AruṇÄcalapurÄṇa, a study of which appears in Shulman 1976, pp. 122–123. There is no mention of Åšiva being the sacrificial animal in texts from the early medieval period which leads me to believe that it is a medieval development.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) is the name of a RÄÅ›i (zodiac sign) mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century MañjuÅ›rÄ«mÅ«lakalpa: one of the largest KriyÄ Tantras devoted to MañjuÅ›rÄ« (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from MañjuÅ›rÄ« and were taught to and by Buddha ÅšÄkyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a).
: academia.edu: The Structure and Meanings of the Heruka M²¹á¹‡á¸ala²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) is the name of a VÄ«ra (hero) who, together with the ḌÄkinÄ« named Mahiá¹£Ä� forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the ²Ñ±ð»å¾±²ÔÄ«³¦²¹°ì°ù²¹, according to the 10th century ḌÄkÄå°ùṇa±¹²¹ chapter 15. Accordingly, the ³¾±ð»å¾±²ÔÄ«³¦²¹°ì°ù²¹ refers to one of the three divisions of the »å³ó²¹°ù³¾²¹-±è³Üá¹a (‘dharma layerâ€�), situated in the Heruka³¾²¹á¹‡á¸²¹±ô²¹. The 36 pairs of ḌÄkinÄ«s and VÄ«ras [viz., ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a] are yellow in color; the shapes of their faces are in accordance with their names; they have four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife.

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (±¹²¹Âá°ù²¹²âÄå²Ô²¹) are collected indepently.
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) refers to the “buffaloesâ€�, according to the ³Õ²¹Âá°ù²¹³Ù³ÜṇḲ¹²õ²¹³¾²¹²â²¹°ì²¹±ô±è²¹°ùÄåÂá²¹, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, [when the BhagavÄn reached the vicinity of the residence of VaiÅ›rav²¹á¹‡a], “[...] All people, women, men, boys and girls, cattle, horses, mares, buffaloes (³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a), elephants, camels, donkeys and so on became delighted by comfort. That lotus lake had an expansion of two yojanas and [a depth of] a fathom all around in the four directions. [...]â€�

Mahayana (महायान, mahÄyÄna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many ²õÅ«³Ù°ù²¹²õ of which some of the earliest are the various PrajñÄpÄramitÄ ²õÅ«³Ù°ù²¹²õ.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionarymahisa : (m.) a buffalo.
: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryMahisa, MahÄ«sa, Mahiṃsa (cp. Vedic ³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a, an enlarged form of mahÄ; the P. etym. evidently to be connected with mahÄ+īś, because of ³¾²¹³óÄ«²õ²¹â€º³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹ƒs²¹) a buffalo.â€�mahisa: D. I, 6 (°yuddha b. -fight), 9; J. III, 26 (vana° wild b.); Mhvs 25, 36 (T. mÄhisaá¹�).â€�³¾²¹³óÄ«²õ²¹ J. VI, 110.â€�³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹ƒs²¹ Vism. 191, & in Np. ³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹ƒs²¹ka-³¾²¹á¹‡á¸²¹±ô²¹ the Andhra country J. I, 356, cp. Mahiṃsaka-raá¹á¹ha VbhA. 4; as Mahisa-³¾²¹á¹‡á¸²¹±ô²¹ at Mhvs 12, 29.—Note. The P. pop. etym. is propounded by Bdhgh as “mahiyaá¹� setÄ« ti mahisoâ€� (he lies on the ground, that is why he is a buffalo) DhsA. 62. (Page 527)
[Pali to Burmese]
: Sutta: Tipiá¹aka PÄḷi-Myanmar Dictionary (á€á€á€•á€á€‹á€€-ပါဠá€á€™á€¼á€”်မá€� အဘá€á€“ာနá€�)³¾²¹³ó¾±²õ²¹â€�
(Burmese text): ကျွဲá‹
(Auto-Translation): Elephant.

Pali is the language of the Tipiá¹aka, which is the sacred canon of TheravÄda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Marathi-English dictionary
: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष).—m S A buffalo.
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³¾²¹³óÄ«²õ²¹ (महीà¤�).—f (³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£Ä� S) A female buffalo.
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³¾Äå³ó¾±á¹£a (माहिà¤�).—n S Anything obtained from a buffalo,--milk, butter, dung &c.
: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष).â€�m A buffalo.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष).—[³¾²¹³ó-á¹iá¹£a³¦ UṇÄdi-sÅ«tra 1 45]
1) A buffalo (considered as the vehicle of Yama); गाहनà¥à¤¤à¤¾à¤‚ महिषà¤� निपानसलिलं शृङà¥à¤—ैरà¥à¤®à¥à¤¹à¥à¤¸à¥à¤¤à¤¾à¤¡à¤¿à¤¤à¤®à¥� (gÄhantÄá¹� mahiá¹£Ä� nipÄnasalilaá¹� śṛṅgairmuhustÄá¸itam) Åš.2.6.
2) Name of a demon killed by DurgÄ.
Derivable forms: ³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£aá¸� (महिषà¤�).
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²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a (माहिà¤�).â€�a. (-á¹£Ä� f.) [महिषà¥à¤¯à¤� इदमॠअणà¥� (mahiá¹£yÄ idam ²¹á¹�)] Coming or derived from a buffalo or a buffalo-cow; as माहिषं दधà¤� (³¾Äå³ó¾±á¹£aá¹� dadhi).
-á¹£a³¾ The female apartment.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष).—m.
(-á¹£aá¸�) 1. A buffalo. 2. The emblem of one of the Jaina saints. 3. The emblem and vehicle of Yama. 4. The name of an Asura or demon slain by Durga. f. (-á¹£Ä�) 1. A female buffalo. 2. The wife of a king, but especially the one who has been consecrated or crowned, a queen. 3. A drug. E. mah to worship or be worshipped, Unadi aff. á¹iá¹£a³¦, fem. aff. ṅīṣ .
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²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a (माहिà¤�).—mfn.
(-á¹£aá¸�-á¹£Ä�-á¹£aá¹�) Belonging to or derived from a buffalo, (flesh, milk. &c.) E. ³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a, and ²¹á¹� aff.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष).—[mah + iá¹£a] (cf. maha), I. m. 1. A buffalo, [±á¾±³Ù´Ç±è²¹»å±ðÅ›²¹] i. [distich] 86, M.M. 2. The emblem and vehicle of Yama. Ii. f. á¹£Ä�. 1. The female buffalo, [±Ê²¹Ã±³¦²¹³Ù²¹²Ô³Ù°ù²¹] ii. [distich] 53; 252, 15. 2. A queen, [Uttara RÄmacarita, 2. ed. Calc., 1862.] 159, 9; [±Ê²¹Ã±³¦²¹³Ù²¹²Ô³Ù°ù²¹] 27, 6.
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²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a (माहिà¤�).—i. e. ³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a + a, adj., f. á¹£Ä�, Belonging to, or coming from, a buffalo (flesh, milk, etc.), ÅšÄrá¹…g. 82, 219.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष).—[feminine] ³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£Ä� mighty, strong. —[masculine] the sun ([with] ²õ³Ü±è²¹°ùṇa), buffalo (±³¾á¹›g²¹), high priest, a man’s name; [feminine] ³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£Ä� buffalo-cow, woman of high rank, [especially] the (first) wife of a king.
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²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a (माहिà¤�).—[feminine] Ä« relating to or coming from a buffalo.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष):—[from mah] a mf(³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£Ä�)n. great, powerful, [Naigh²¹á¹‡á¹uka, commented on by YÄska iii, 3]
2) [v.s. ...] m. (with supara) the sun, [Atharva-veda]
3) [v.s. ...] (with or [scilicet] ³¾á¹›g²¹, once with ³¾á¹›gÄåṇÄm) a buffalo, [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc. (considered as the emblem of Yama and of a Jaina saint)
4) [v.s. ...] a great priest, [Mahīdhara]
5) [v.s. ...] the son of a Ká¹£atriya and a TÄ«varÄ«, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
6) [v.s. ...] Name of an Asura (slain by DurgÄ or Skanda), [²Ñ²¹³óÄå²ú³óÄå°ù²¹³Ù²¹; PurÄṇa]
7) [v.s. ...] of a SÄdhya, [Harivaṃśa]
8) [v.s. ...] of a sage (author of a [commentator or commentary] on the [PrÄtiÅ›Äkhya] of the Yajur-veda), [Catalogue(s)]
9) [v.s. ...] of a mountain in ÅšÄlmala»å±¹Ä«±è²¹, [Viṣṇu-purÄṇa]
10) [v.s. ...] m. [plural] Name of a people, [Harivaṃśa]
11) b etc. See p. 803, col. 1.
12) ²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a (माहिà¤�):—mf(Ä«)n. ([from] ³¾²¹³ó¾±á¹£a, á¹£Ä�) coming from or belonging to a buffalo or buffalo-cow, [RÄmÄy²¹á¹‡a; MÄrk²¹á¹‡á¸eya-purÄṇa]
13) m. Name of a district
14) m. [plural] of a people, [VarÄha-mihira’s Bá¹›hat-saṃhitÄ]
15) n. the female apartments, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष):â€�(á¹£aá¸�) 1. m. A buffalo. f. (á¹£Ä�) Yama's emblem; a proper name.
2) ²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a (माहिà¤�):—[(á¹£aá¸�-á¹£Ä�-á¹£aá¹�) a.] Of a buffalo.
: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Mahisa.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संसà¥à¤•ृतमà¥� (²õ²¹á¹ƒs°ìá¹›t²¹³¾), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष) [Also spelled mahish]:â€�(nm) a he-buffalo.
...
Prakrit-English dictionary
: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionaryMahisa (महिस) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
Kannada-English dictionary
: Alar: Kannada-English corpus²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (ಮಹಿಷ):â€�
1) [noun] = ಮಹಿಷಾಸà³à²° [mahishasura].
2) [noun] a male buffalo.
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²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a (ಮಾಹಿà²�):—[adjective] of, relating to or resembling a buffalo.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary1) ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a (महिष):—n. 1. buffalo bull; 2. Mythol. a name of a demon killed by Durga; 3. a species of fish;
2) Mahīśa (मही�):—n. the king;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+8): Mahisamandala, Mahishacara, Mahishadadhi, Mahishaddaka, Mahishadesha, Mahishadi, Mahishaga, Mahishaghrita, Mahishakanda, Mahishakshi, Mahishamarddini, Mahishamardinistotratika, Mahishamardinitantra, Mahishamathani, Mahishanatha, Mahishapayas, Mahishasadrisha, Mahishasaka, Mahishashataka, Mahishasthalaka.
Full-text (+183): Mahishaksha, Mahishavahana, Mahishadhvaja, Mahishasura, Mahishavalli, Mahishardana, Mahishamardini, Mahishapala, Mahishatva, Mahishasthali, Mahishakanda, Mahishaghni, Mahishakshaka, Pancamahisha, Mahishashataka, Mahisamandala, Mahishasthalaka, Maheshi, Mahishamarddini, Mahishayamana.
Relevant text
Search found 105 books and stories containing Mahisha, ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£a, Mahisa, ²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£a, MahÄ«sa, Mahīśa, Maha-isa; (plurals include: Mahishas, ²Ñ²¹³ó¾±á¹£as, Mahisas, ²ÑÄå³ó¾±á¹£as, MahÄ«sas, Mahīśas, isas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 5.9 < [Section II - Objectionable Food]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Iconography of Buddhist and Brahmanical Sculptures (by Nalini Kanta Bhattasali)
Iconography of Mahisha-Mardini < [Part 2 - Brahmanical Sculptures]
Iconography of Sarvani < [Part 2 - Brahmanical Sculptures]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Devi Bhagavata Purana (by Swami Vijñanananda)