Ujjeni, Ujjenī: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Ujjeni 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 Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Ujjenī (उज्जेनी) (cf. Kollāpura) is the name of a sacred site, and one of the places visited by the Goddess on her pilgrimage, according to Tantric texts such as the Kubjikāmata-tantra, the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “[The Goddess] went to Devīkoṭa, (arriving there) in a moment, and with a powerful look (āloka) (it became a sacred site. Then she went to) Aṭṭahāsa, (so called) because she laughed (there) loudly. (Then she went to) Kolāgiri, Ujjenī, Prayāga, Varṇā (i.e. Vārāṇasī), Viraja, Ekāmra and other (places) and (then on to) another universe”.

Shaktism book cover
context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

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In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. Ujjeni - The capital of Avanti. In the Buddhas time, Canda Pajjota (Vin.i.276; DhA.i.192) was king of Ujjeni and there was friendly intercourse between that city and Magadha, whose king was Seniya Bimbisara. After Bimbisaras death, however, Pajjota seems to have contemplated a war against Ajatasathu. See M.iii.7.

There was an old trade route from Ujjeni to Benares and the merchants of the two cities showed healthy rivalry not only in trade, but also in matters of culture. See, e.g., J.ii.248ff., where the merchants of Benares compare their musician Guttila with Musila, the chief fiddler of Ujjeni.

It was while going with a caravan to Ujjeni, that Sona Kutikanna (4) met the Peta, whose words made him decide to renounce household life (UdA.307f).

The road taken by Bavaris disciples ran through Ujjeni (Sn.v.1011).

Ujjeni was also the birthplace of Maha Kaccana (ThagA.i.483), of Isidasi (Thig.v.405), of Abhaya (ThagA.41) and of the courtesan Padumavati, mother of Abhaya (ThigA.39).

Before succeeding to his fathers throne at Pataliputta, Asoka reigned for several years as Viceroy at Ujjeni, and it was during this period that Mahinda and Sanghamitta were born (Mhv.xiii.10ff; Mbv.99; Sp.i.70).

Mahinda spent six months in Dakkhinagiri Vihara in Ujjeni, prior to his visit to Ceylon (Mhv.xiii.5).

From the same vihara forty thousand monks were present, under the leadership of Maha Sangharakkhita, at the foundation of the Maha Thupa in Anuradhapura (Mhv.xxix.35).

The Jatakas speak of Ujjeni as having been the capital of Avanti from very ancient times. E.g., in J.iv.390, where Avanti Maharaja rules in Ujjeni as capital of Avanti. But in the Mahagovinda Sutta (D.ii.235), Mahissati is mentioned as the capital of Avanti. Perhaps Mahissati lost its importance later and gave place to Ujjeni, for we find Mahissati mentioned just before Ujjeni among the places passed by Bavaris pupils on their way to Savatthi (Sn.v.1011).

Ujjeni is identical with the Greek Ozene, about 77 E. and 23 N. (Bud. India, p.40; see also CAGI, 560, and Beal ii.270 for Hiouen Thsangs description of it).

2. Ujjeni - A city in Ceylon, founded by Vijayas minister Accutagami (Dpv.ix.36; Mhv.vii.45).

3. Ujjeni - A township (nigama), the residence of the bankers daughter Rucinanda, who gave a meal of milk rice to Padumuttara Buddha just before his Enlightenment (BuA.158).

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).

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India history and geography

Source: Ancient Buddhist Texts: Geography of Early Buddhism

Ujjenī (उज्जेनी) refers to the ancient capital of Avanti: one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas of the Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—Avanti is mentioned in the Aṅguttara Nikāya as one of the sixteen great Janapadas. From the Dīpavaṃsa we know that Ujjenī, the capital of Avanti, was built by Accutagāmī. Avanti roughly corresponds to modern Mālwa Nimār and adjoining parts of the Central Provinces. Prof. Bhandarkar has rightly pointed out that ancient Avanti was divided into two parts; the northern part had its capital at Ujjenī and the southern part called Avanti Dakṣiṇāpatha had its capital at Māhissatī or Māhiśmatī.

India history book cover
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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.

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