Lakshmivati, Lakṣmīvatī: 4 definitions

Introduction:

Lakshmivati means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit, 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 Lakṣmīvatī can be transliterated into English as Laksmivati or Lakshmivati, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism

Lakṣmīvatī (लक्ष्मीवती) is the name of Vidyārājñī (i.e., “wisdom queen”) mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Lakṣmīvatī).

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
context information

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 (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

Discover the meaning of lakshmivati or laksmivati in the context of Tibetan Buddhism from relevant books on Exotic India

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Lakshmivati in Jainism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Lakṣmīvatī (लक्ष्मीवती) is the mother of Puruṣapuṇḍarīka: the sixth Vāsudeva (“violent heroes”) according to both Śvetāmbara and Digambara sources. Since they enjoy half the power of a Cakravartin (universal monarch) they are also known as Ardhacakrins. Jain legends describe nine such Vāsudevas usually appearing together with their “gentler” twins known as the Baladevas. The legends of these twin-heroes usually involve their antagonistic counterpart known as the Prativāsudevas (anti-heroes).

The stories of queen Lakṣmīvatī, king Mahāśiva and their son, Puruṣapuṇḍarīka are related in texts such as the Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacarita (“the lives of the sixty-three illustrious persons”), a twelfth-century Śvetāmbara work by Hemacandra.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

1) Lakṣmīvatī (लक्ष्मीवती) refers to one of the eight Dikkumārīs living on the southern Rucaka mountains (in the Rucakadvīpa continent), according to chapter 1.2 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly, “[...] Eight Dikkumārīs [viz., Lakṣmīvatī], living on the southern Rucaka Mountains, came there, impelled by joy like a whip. Having bowed to the Ford of Jinas and his mother and having introduced themselves as before, they stood on the right, singing, with pitchers in their hands. [...].”.

Note: In the continent Rucakadvīpa is a circular mountain-ranges Rucaka. On this in the four directions are 4 temples, and on both sides of each temple are 4 mountain peaks, making 8 peaks in each direction. Each peak is inhabited by a Dikkumārī [viz., Lakṣmīvatī].—(cf. ‘Die Kosmographie der Inder’ pp. 257f).

2) Lakṣmīvatī (लक्ष्मीवती) is the mother of Puruṣapuṇḍarīka: one of the nine black Vāsudevas, according to chapter 1.6.

3) Lakṣmīvatī (लक्ष्मीवती) is the wife of Vajrāyudha (a previous incarnation of Śānti-nātha), according to chapter 5.3 [śāntinātha-caritra].

4) Lakṣmīvatī (लक्ष्मीवती) refers to one of the two wifes of Kanakaratha (king of Kanakapura), according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.2 [Rāvaṇa’s expedition of conquest].

General definition book cover
context information

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.

Discover the meaning of lakshmivati or laksmivati in the context of General definition from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Lakshmivati in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Lakṣmīvatī (लक्ष्मीवती):—[=lakṣmī-vatī] [from lakṣmī-vat > lakṣmī > lakṣ] f. Name of a woman, [Hemacandra’s Pariśiṣṭaparvan]

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.

Discover the meaning of lakshmivati or laksmivati in the context of Sanskrit from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: