Ashtakanya, Ashtan-kanya, Aṣṭakanyā: 1 definition
Introduction:
Ashtakanya means something in Jainism, Prakrit. 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 term Aṣṭakanyā can be transliterated into English as Astakanya or Ashtakanya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-kathaAṣṭakanyā (अष्टकन्या) refers to the “eight auspicious girls” (representing the eight celestial nymphs of Indra’s heaven), according to Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—Page 93.17-8: There is a list of Eight auspicious girls holding respectively sprouted water-jars, fan-palm, fly-whisk, parasol, mirror, mṛdaṅga, harp, drum and cloth and ornaments. These were regarded as eight celestial nymphs of Indra’s heaven and frequently referred in literature as aṣṭakanyā or sabhākanyā. They are mentioned as forming part of the articles collected for Rāma’s coronation (Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa 15.8) and that of Sugrīva where their number became sixteen. King Yudhiṣṭhira looked at these auspicious maidens as amongst the objects seen by him every morning. These were regarded as auspicious to be seen before starting on a journey.
The list of eight auspicious girls also occurs in the Lalitavistara (VII, p. 71) where their names are:
- Pūrṇakumbha-kanyā;
- Mayūrahasta-kanyā;
- Tālavṛntaka-kanyā;
- Gandhodakabhṛṅgāra-kanyā;
- Vicitrapaṭalaka-kanyā;
- Pralambakamālā-kanyā;
- Ratnabhadrālaṃkāra-kanyā; and
- Bhadrāsana-kanya.
These were also known as the eight women of Indra’s court (aṣṭau yoṣitaḥ or aṣṭau apsarasaḥ).
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Ashta, Kanya.
Full-text (+10): Kanya, Mirror, Parasol, Mridanga, Fly-whisk, Ornament, Cloth, Drum, Water-jar, Harp, Sabhakanya, Eight nymphs, Eight girls, Eight celestial nymphs, Eight women, Talavrintaka, Apsaras, Mayurahasta, Yoshit, Golden lamp.
Relevant text
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