In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Meghaprabha (मेघप्रभ) is the father of Sumati according to Digambara (according to Śvetāmbara he is named Megha), according to the Ācāradinakara (14th century work on Jain conduct written by Vardhamāna Sūri). Sumati is the fifth of twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras in Janism. A Tīrthaṅkara is an enlightened being who has conquered saṃsāra (cycle of birth and death), leaving behind him a path for others to follow.

The wife of Meghaprabha is is Maṅgalā. It is an ancient Jain practice to worship the Tīrthaṅkara’s parents in various rites, such as the pratiṣṭhāvidhi.

Source: archive.org: Een Kritische Studie Van Svayambhūdeva’s Paümacariu

Meghaprabha (मेघप्रभ) participated in the war between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, on the side of the latter, as mentioned in Svayambhūdeva’s Paumacariu (Padmacarita, Paumacariya or Rāmāyaṇapurāṇa) chapter 57ff. Svayambhū or Svayambhūdeva (8th or 9th century) was a Jain householder who probably lived in Karnataka. His work recounts the popular Rāma story as known from the older work Rāmāyaṇa (written by Vālmīki). Various chapters [mentioning Meghaprabha] are dedicated to the humongous battle whose armies (known as akṣauhiṇīs) consisted of millions of soldiers, horses and elephants, etc.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Meghaprabha (मेघप्रभ) is the father of Khara, according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.2 [Rāvaṇa’s expedition of conquest] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly, “One day, Daśagrīva went to Mount Meru, riding an elephant, accompanied by his wives, to pay homage to the shrines. Just then a Khecara, Khara, the son of Meghaprabha, saw Candraṇakhā and kidnaped her, having fallen in love with her and she with him. He went to Pātālalaṅkā, expelled King Candrodara, the son of Ādityarajas, and took it himself. When he heard of the kidnaping of Candraṇakhā, Daśakandhara went at once from Meru to Laṅkā and was very angry. [...]”.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Ends with: Jnanarashmimeghaprabha.

Full-text: Khara, Mangala, Sumatinatha, Megha, Dushana, Candrodara, Anuradha, Priyangu, Sumati.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Meghaprabha; (plurals include: Meghaprabhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Part 16: Story of Nīlayaśas < [Chapter II - Marriages of Vasudeva with maidens]

Part 5: Further exploits of Rāvaṇa < [Chapter II - Rāvaṇa’s expedition of Conquest]

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