Significance of Calamity

In various traditions, calamity denotes a significant misfortune or disastrous event leading to immense distress. In Jainism, calamity encompasses unfortunate occurrences linked to divine commands and moral failings. Similarly, Vaishnavism mentions calamity as events causing great distress, prompting divine protection. The Purana perspective highlights disasters resulting from human actions, while Ayurveda advises avoiding actions that lead to such outcomes. Overall, calamity serves as a central theme representing adversity across religious and philosophical contexts, emphasizing the serious implications of human choices and circumstances.

Synonyms: Disaster, Catastrophe, Misfortune, Tragedy, Adversity, Mishap, Setback, Crisis, Distress

In Dutch: Calamiteit; In Finnish: Onnettomuus; In Spanish: Calamidad; In German: Unglück; In Swedish: Katastrof; In Malay: Musibah; In French: Calamité; In Polish: Nieszczęście; In Italian: Calamità; In Portugese: Calamidade

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Calamity'
Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, "Calamity" signifies a disastrous event causing suffering or misfortune, whether through neglecting guidance, impacting spiritual practice, or manifesting as significant disasters, as described in paritta suttas aimed at overcoming such challenges.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

Mahayana 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 sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva fundamental vow sutra

(1) Chanting the Sutra on the Ten Days of Abstinence prevents any calamity from approaching within one hundred yojanas of the practitioners' residences.[1]

From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra

(1) A source of great suffering and misfortune, a term Vimalakirti used to describe the human body due to its inherent afflictions.[2]

From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)

(1) A disastrous event; as people's lifespan decreases further, significant disasters such as fire and water floods will occur.[3]

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

Theravada 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).

From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6

(1) The unfortunate outcome that occurs as a result of disregarding advice, specifically the master impaling himself.[4]

From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)

(1) A disastrous event or situation that brings significant suffering or misfortune.[5]

Hindu concept of 'Calamity'
Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, Calamity embodies various disastrous events, from personal misfortunes to wide-scale destruction, prompting divine intervention and highlighting the consequences of actions, misjudgments, and relational conflicts among characters, particularly in narratives like those of Sita and Yudhishthira.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

From: Mahabharata (English)

(1) An unavoidable and dreadful calamity, productive of sorrowful reflection, has occurred and cannot be overcome.[6] (2) A great and fierce one overtook the warriors as they fought with whetted arrows.[7] (3) The calamity that befell them arose from Yudhishthira's actions, particularly his addiction to gambling.[8] (4) A disastrous event or misfortune that strikes a warrior in battle, causing them to be in a state of extreme peril.[9] (5) Wealth is described as being full of every kind of this, and is questioned why Arjuna applauds it.[10]

From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)

(1) A great disaster that threatens a ruler, especially when they are devoted to pleasure and indulge in whims without scruple.[11] (2) The king reflects on the cause of this event, which overwhelms him with grief after hearing his consort's reproaches.[12] (3) Refers to the disastrous events that have befallen Sita due to Raghava's death.[13] (4) A disastrous occurrence or situation, especially as it relates to cohabitation with the spirit of brahmanicide.[14] (5) The consequence of believing in an error related to the boons granted to Kaikeyi, as expressed by Lakshmana.[15]

From: Markandeya Purana

(1) The king described his situation not as a moment of exaltation but as a calamity, stemming from the prospect of outliving his loved ones and loyal followers.[16]

From: Harivamsha Purana

(1) Calamity is foreseen as the outcome of Krishna's arrival for the maiden at the Swayamvara, a fact that has brought Krishna and the kings together.[17] (2) A significant event resulting in great misfortune, particularly relating to Kamsa's demise.[18]

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) The unfortunate situation where the King finds himself without resources and facing moral dilemmas.[19]

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) A disastrous event or situation is feared and the speaker seeks to be shielded from it during the current day.[20] (2) An event that causes distress or misfortune, particularly within a family context, leading to lamentation.[21] (3) A state of suffering or distress from which Shri Vrindavana dasa Thakura aims to deliver deluded individuals.[22]

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) Calamity is used to describe a painful or disruptive event, which causes distress to the individual and is a source of difficulty.[23] (2) A disaster or unfortunate event leading to significant distress or hardship.[24] (3) A disastrous event or situation that threatens the well-being of an individual.[25]

From: Chaitanya Mangala

(1) Any misfortune that Shaci-devi implored Goddess Sashthi to protect her son from.[26] (2) A looming disaster threatening the world, prompting divine intervention and communication among celestial beings.[27]

From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu

(1) A disastrous event that causes great distress, as seen when Yashoda became insane due to Krishna's entry into the lake of Kaliya.[28] (2) A disastrous event or situation that can lead to confusion of the mind, categorized as one of the causes of 'avega'.[29]

From: Prem Sagar (English translation)

(1) Krishna's exaggerated expression of taking food at that moment, showcasing his dramatic nature.[30]

From: Garga Samhita (English)

(1) Calamity is a term used to refer to the potential disasters or threats that may occur next.[31]

Significance in Kavya (poetry):
Kavya Books

Kavya refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)

(1) Bewilderment by Mara brings calamity to kings, even those who have achieved great conquests.[32] (2) This is what the evil omens indicated to Gunasharman, causing him to worry about his master, the king.[33] (3) The unfortunate event of the young Brahman's death, causing sorrow among his family and friends.[34] (4) Unfavorable events such as illness or death of kin that indicate guilt during the test of innocence.[35] (5) The misfortune experienced by Pururavas when Urvashi is taken away from him, which he attributes to the curse he received.[36]

From: Harsha-charita

(1) A disastrous event causing great damage or distress.[37]

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) Calamity is something that is declared not to befall persons who recite the Veda and offer oblations, indicating that these practices offer protection.[38] (2) An unfortunate event impacting the debtor's ability to repay the debt.[39]

Significance in Ayurveda (science of life):
Ayurveda Books

Ayurveda is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ayurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)

(1) Disastrous events that the student is instructed to avoid causing through any actions.[40]

Significance in Vastushastra (architecture):
Vastushastra Books

Vastushastra refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)

(1) Calamity was believed to befall the master of the house if a Vedha occurred during the construction of a door, affecting the inhabitants or their property.[41]

Jain concept of 'Calamity'
Jainism Books

In Jainism, Calamity encompasses significant misfortunes resulting from reliance on power over wisdom, dire consequences faced by characters like Sugriva and Kanakavati, and disastrous events linked to deception, divine commands, and misunderstandings.

Significance in Jainism (general):

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.

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) A great misfortune that Kanakavati is warned of if she violates the command of a god.[42] (2) Refers to the disastrous event surrounding Lakshmana's state, which remains unknown to Rama at first.[43] (3) A distressing event referred to by the step-mother in her argument before the King.[44] (4) The dire situation Sugriva faces concerning the false Sugriva’s actions towards Tara.[45] (5) A significant misfortune or disaster, referenced within the context of vocabulary relating to adversity.[46]

The concept of Calamity in local and regional sources
History Books

Calamity encompasses various disastrous events impacting characters and narratives within Indian drama, representing misfortune, violence, and conflict, as seen in the grocer’s protection, Tuka’s loss, and Phoolwati's struggles with Devkinath's remarriage.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints

(1) Calamity will have no effect on a Vishnu-bhakta, even when faced with great effort, due to divine protection.[47] (2) A state of extreme distress and misfortune, particularly experienced by Tukaram due to a lack of basic necessities.[48] (3) A disastrous event that could have befallen the grocer if he had not been protected.[49] (4) A disastrous event or situation that poses a threat to the peace of the characters involved.[50] (5) A significant misfortune experienced by Tuka when his manuscripts were sunk, impacting his devotion and purpose.[51]

From: Triveni Journal

(1) A disastrous event, specifically referring to the assault on Surayya's daughter, highlighting the theme of violence and injustice.[52] (2) A theme in Indian drama, referenced in Kalidasa’s choice for a happier ending in Sakuntalam.[53] (3) A significant and unfortunate event or situation, referring to the lack of cooperation from the cultured classes.[54] (4) Phoolwati's perspective on Devkinath's impending remarriage, seeing it as a disaster that she must confront.[55]

The concept of Calamity in scientific sources
Science Books

Calamity denotes a disastrous event that triggers significant harm or distress, particularly affecting health and safety, as highlighted by regional sources defining its impact.

Classical concept of 'Calamity'
Various literature Books

Meaning of Calamity in Ancient Greek mythology, history and philosophy:
Greek Books

Ancient Greece in the Archaic Period was made up from independent states, called Polis, or city state. Classical Greek culture, especially philosophy, had a powerful influence on the Roman Empire. Greek mythology consists of stories belonging to the ancient Greeks concerning their Gods and heroes, the nature of the world and the origins and significance of their religious practices.

From: Aesop's Fables (English translation)

(1) An unfortunate event suffered by the hare, which the sparrow initially gloated over before experiencing a similar situation.[56]

From: The Argonautica (English translation)

(1) This unfortunate event is suspected by the speaker to have interrupted the journey of the sons of his daughter, forcing them to return unexpectedly.[57]

Meaning of Calamity in Ancient Egyptian mythology, history and philosophy:
Egypt Books

Egypt was an ancient civilization ruled by pharaohs that left behind an extensive cultural heritage and mythology. The Egyptians build the Pyramids of Giza and various temples of great size. Located in North Africa, part of this civilization’s success is the effective use of the River Nile. Their religious pantheon included many Gods dispersed over various belief systems, philosophies and cults.

From: The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians

(1) A calamity befell the Eye of Nebertcher or Khepera, causing it to become obscured and cease to give light, leading to a period of darkness.[58]