Somapala, Somapāla: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Somapala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: archive.org: Bulletin of the French School of the Far East (volume 5)Somapala (सोमपल) [?] (in Chinese: Sou-mo-po-lo) is the name of an ancient kingdom associated with Aśvinī or Aśvinīnakṣatra, as mentioned in chapter 18 of the Candragarbha: the 55th section of the Mahāsaṃnipāta-sūtra, a large compilation of Sūtras (texts) in Mahāyāna Buddhism partly available in Sanskrit, Tibetan and Chinese.—Chapter 18 deals with geographical astrology and, in conversation with Brahmarāja and others, Buddha explains how he entrusts the Nakṣatras [e.g., Aśvinī] with a group of kingdoms [e.g., Somapala] for the sake of protection and prosperity.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
India history and geography
Source: archive.org: Personal and geographical names in the Gupta inscriptionsSomapāla (सोमपाल) is an example of a Śaivite name mentioned in the Gupta inscriptions. Classification of personal names according to deities (e.g., from Śaivism) were sometimes used by more than one person and somehow seem to have been popular. The Gupta empire (r. 3rd-century CE), founded by Śrī Gupta, covered much of ancient India and embraced the Dharmic religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Derivation of personal names (e.g., Somapāla) during the rule of the Guptas followed patterns such as tribes, places, rivers and mountains.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionarySomapāla (सोमपाल).—[masculine] Soma-keeper.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Somapāla (सोमपाल):—[=soma-pāla] [from soma] m. a guardian of S°, [Aitareya-brāhmaṇa; Suparṇādhyāya]
2) [v.s. ...] a preserver of S°, ([probably]) a provider or seller of the S° plant, [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]
3) [v.s. ...] Name of various men, [Rājataraṅgiṇī]
4) [v.s. ...] [plural] Name of the Gandharvas (as keeping especial guard over the S°), [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Soma, Paala, Pala.
Starts with: Somapalavilasa.
Full-text: Bhupala, Somapalavilasa, Ashvini.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Somapala, Somapāla, Soma-pala, Soma-pāla; (plurals include: Somapalas, Somapālas, palas, pālas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
The backdrop of the Srikanthacarita and the Mankhakosa (by Dhrubajit Sarma)
Part 6 - Maṅkhaka: his genealogy and date < [Chapter I - Introduction]
Fact and Fiction in Historical Biographies < [January – March, 1980]
Settlement in Early Historic Ganga Plain (by Chirantani Das)
Part 7 - Nalanda’s Rise of a Multi-functional Nodal Centre < [Chapter III - Nālandā: Evidence for rise and progress of the settlement]