Illisa, Illisha, Illiśa: 7 definitions

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Theravada
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also

Introduction:

Illisa means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 Illiśa can be transliterated into English as Illisa or Illisha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

A setthi of Rajagaha. At the opening of the story the king of Benares is mentioned, but it is to Rajagaha that Sakka comes (see p.350), so Rajagaha was evidently Illisas residence.

He was lame and hunch backed and also had a squint. He was an infidel and a miser, never giving away any of his wealth nor enjoying it himself.

For seven generations his ancestors had been generous, but Illisa burnt down the almonry and drove away the poor from his house.

Once, at the sight of a yokel drinking, with a piece of dried fish as a relish, Illisa was sorely tempted to drink himself. For a long time he fought the temptation, but he sickened with longing, and having sent a slave with a single penny to the tavern, he got some toddy; he ordered the slave to put the jar of spirits in a thicket by the riverside so that he might drink unseen.

Meanwhile Illisas father, who had been born as Sakka, having learnt, as a result of investigations, that his son had become a miser, came down to earth to wean him from his folly. Assuming in every detail the form of Illisa, he entered the kings palace and offered all the wealth of Illisa to the king. On the offer being refused, he went to Illisas house and gave orders to the servants to throw open all the treasure chambers and give the wealth to the poor. The servants took the disguised Sakka to be Illisa himself, and Illisas wife, believing her husbands sudden generosity to be due to his drunkenness, acquiesced in the instructions.

Among those who profited by this unexpected good fortune was a countryman who had been Illisas carriage driver. Filling the carriage with seven things of value, he set out along the road, passing by the thicket wherein Illisa lay drinking. The man was singing Illisas praises, and at mention of his name Illisa came out, and seeing the man going away with his belongings tried to stop him. But the man, not recognising him, knocked him down and went on his way. Illisa hurried home but was turned out of his house by the porters, and at length he sought the king. The king, having heard his story, made enquiries and discovered the existence of two Illisas, alike in every respect, down to the minutest detail, even to a wart on the head.

Not even Illisas wife and children, not even his barber, could distinguish him from the second Illisa.

Bereft of all hope, Illisa swoons, Sakka reveals himself and tells Illisa that the wealth is really his and not Illisas, the latter not having earned it. He urges Illisa to do good and practise generosity, or he would die, smitten by Indras thunderbolt.

Illisa, taking heed of the warning, becomes a virtuous man (J.i.349ff).

context information

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

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Illiśa (इल्लिश).—A sort of fish, commonly hilsa or sable. इलीशोचितपीयूषो वाचा वाचामगोचरः (ilīśocitapīyūṣo vācā vācāmagocaraḥ) Udb.

Derivable forms: illiśaḥ (इल्लिशः).

[Sanskrit to German]

Illisa in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), 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.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Illisa, Illisha, Illiśa, Illīsa; (plurals include: Illisas, Illishas, Illiśas, Illīsas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Jataka 78: Illīsa-jātaka < [Book I - Ekanipāta]

Index of Proper Names

Jataka 535: Sudhābhojana-jātaka < [Volume 5]

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(1) The Kinds of Supernormal Power < [Chapter XII - The Supernormal Powers (iddhividha-niddesa)]