Bhaggava: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Bhaggava means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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.
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names1. Bhaggava. A teacher to whom the Buddha went after leaving Rajagaha, and before seeking Alara and Uddaka. ThigA., p. 2.
2. Bhaggava. Father of Angulimala and chaplain of the king of Kosala. Bhaggava was a brahmin. Thag.A.ii.57.
3. Bhaggava. A potter in Rajagaha in whose dwelling the Buddha met and conversed with Pukkusati (M.iii.237).
Bhaggava seems to have been a generic name for all potters, perhaps a special form of address used towards members of the kumbhakara caste. Thus we find in the books several instances of potters being addressed as Bhaggava. E.g., DhA.i.33; J.ii.80, iii.382. At J.111.382 the potters wife is addressed as Bhaggavi.
In the Samyutta Nikaya (S.i.36, 60) the Buddha addresses Ghatikara Brahma as Bhaggava; he had been a potter of Vehalinga in his previous birth and the name Ghatikara itself means jar maker. The Commentaries give no explanation of the word; perhaps the potters claimed their descent from Bhrgu.
Bhaggava is sometimes given as an example of a gotta. E.g., Sp.i.160 (with Gotama).
See also Bhaggavagotta.
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryBhaggava, (cp. Sk. *bhārgava, a der. fr. bhṛgu, & bhargaḥ, of same root as Lat. fulgur lightning; Gr. flόc light; Ger. blitzen, blank; Ags. blanca white horse, all of the idea of “shining, bright, radiant.” — How the meaning “potter” is connected with this meaning, is still a problem, perhaps we have to take the word merely as an Epithet at the one passage where it occurs, which happens to be in the Kumbhakāra-jātaka, v. 6, 7. i.e. the “Jātaka of the potter”) potter (?) J. III, 381, 382, in Voc. bhaggava (m.) & bhaggavī (f.). The terms are not explained in C. , evidently because somewhat obscure. According to Kern, Toev. s. v. the Sk. form in this meaning occurs at MBh. I. 190, 47; Saddhp. 191 sq. , MVastu III, 347. (Page 496)
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionaryBhaggava (भग्गव) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Bhārgava.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Bhaggavagotta, Bhaggavant.
Full-text: Bhargava, Bhaggavi, Bhaggavagotta, Dhatuvibhanga Sutta, Angulimala, Patika, Ghatikara, Alara Kalama, Pukkusati.
Relevant text
Search found 8 books and stories containing Bhaggava; (plurals include: Bhaggavas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 3 - The story of Aṅgulimāla < [Chapter XXXIX - The Ten Powers of the Buddha according to the Abhidharma]
II. The knowledge of the retribution of actions (karmavipāka-jñānabala) < [Part 2 - The ten powers in particular]
Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology (by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri)
The Story of Aṅgulimāla < [Chapter 3 - Amarāvatī and the Formative Stage of the Buddhist Art]
Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh (early history) (by Prakash Narayan)
Artisans and Craftsman < [Chapter 2 - Economic and Urban Processes]
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 178: Kacchapa-jātaka < [Book II - Dukanipāta]
Jataka 408: Kumbhakāra-jātaka < [Volume 3]
The Buddha and His Disciples (by Venerable S. Dhammika)
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 3-4 - The Story of Monk Tissa < [Chapter 1 - Yamaka Vagga (Twin Verses)]