Significance of Great sinner
Synonyms: Wicked person, Wrongdoer, Evildoer, Malefactor
In Dutch: Grote zondaar; In Finnish: Suuri syntinen; In Spanish: Gran pecador
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Great sinner'
In Buddhism, a Great sinner signifies individuals with severe past misdeeds resulting in suffering in hell or current physical and sensory impairments, reflecting the impact of their significant wrongdoings on their present existence.
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) Beings considered to have committed significant wrongdoings that lead them to suffering in hell.[1]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Individuals whose past severe transgressions lead to physical or sensory impairments in the present life.[2]
Hindu concept of 'Great sinner'
In Hinduism, the term "Great sinner" encompasses individuals who have committed significant moral transgressions, leading to severe consequences. However, they may attain redemption through divine grace, sincere repentance, and observance of holy rituals.
From: Padma Purana
(1) Individuals who have committed severe transgressions against moral and ethical standards.[3] (2) Individuals who have committed numerous sins but are still capable of attaining liberation through devotion.[4] (3) Individuals who have committed significant transgressions, resulting in severe consequences in their spiritual journey.[5] (4) Individuals who have committed significant moral wrongs but can be redeemed through spiritual practices.[6] (5) A person who has committed many sins but can achieve salvation through specific righteous actions.[7]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) An individual who engages in significant unethical or immoral behavior, leading to spiritual degradation.[8] (2) This phrase refers to Sumati, highlighting his actions that deviate from dharma, such as theft, addiction to liquor, and slaying a Brahmana.[9] (3) A person who is heavily burdened by sins but can find relief by residing in specific sacred areas.[10] (4) An individual who can avoid the world of Yama by propitiating the Lord of Aruna on Saturdays with Jati flowers.[11] (5) Individuals who commit severe transgressions against religious laws and are considered morally reprehensible.[12]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) A classification for individuals who commit serious transgressions, including taking another's wife.[13] (2) A title used by King Harishcandra as he reflects on his actions and the painful situation he finds himself in.[14] (3) Even the most sinful persons can attain the blessings of Rudraksham, signifying its transformative power toward redemption.[15]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) Individuals who have committed significant transgressions but can still attain salvation through the holy centres described.[16] (2) An individual who engages in actions classified as significant wrongdoings leading to severe consequences.[17] (3) Refers to individuals described in the context of divine punishment for faults such as learning theft and disrespect.[18]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) Individuals who have committed severe moral transgressions, for whom Karttikeya wishes to offer redemption by means of a river's sacred water.[19] (2) A term used by Indra to describe himself after his transgression involving Ahalya.[20] (3) Refers to Parashu, who is identified as a great sinner but seeks redemption.[21]
From: Agni Purana
(1) Individuals who have committed severe wrongdoings and are subject to rebirth in dreadful hells.[22] (2) Individuals identified as having committed severe misdeeds, whose food is also to be avoided.[23]
From: Bhagavata Purana
(1) A reference to someone like Ajamila, who, despite sinful acts, achieved liberation through the mere utterance of Lord Narayana's name.[24]
From: Nilamata Purana
(1) Individuals who have committed significant wrongdoings but are believed to find redemption through the goddess's holy water.[25]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) A phrase that Yudhishthira uses to describe himself, indicating his deep remorse and guilt for the actions he has taken.[26]
From: Brihaddharma Purana (abridged)
(1) The group of individuals present at the sacrifice who tolerated Daksha's disrespectful words against Siva.[27]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) A person who has committed serious transgressions, indicating a high level of wrongdoing.[28] (2) An individual who has committed significant immoral acts but can attain purity.[29] (3) A significant character described in the text who has committed severe wrongdoings.[30] (4) A further description of the merchant, emphasizing the depth of his previous transgressions and the magnitude of his subsequent purification.[31] (5) A term used in the verse to describe a person who has committed significant wrongdoings.[32]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) Refers to the speaker, acknowledging his past wrongdoings and seeking redemption.[33] (2) An individual who has committed numerous sins and is in need of redemption and cleansing through divine grace.[34] (3) Refers to Ravana, who, despite his negative qualities, is still associated with the complexities of familial relationships and forgiveness.[35]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Individuals who actively lead others astray and promote themselves instead of glorifying the Supreme Lord, as mentioned by various narrators in the text.[36] (2) A term used to describe someone who has committed significant wrongdoings or sins.[37]
From: Prem Sagar (English translation)
(1) A description of Kamsa, emphasizing his immoral actions and detrimental influence on the Yadu family.[38] (2) The acknowledgment by the sons of Kubera after their transformation back to human form, recognizing their past failures.[39]
From: Chaitanya Mangala
(1) A term used to describe Jagai and Madhai in contrast to other characters such as Ajamila, highlighting their extreme sinful activities.[40]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Individuals whose actions have contaminated the holy places, prompting the sages to take action for purification.[41]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Individuals who are deemed as having committed significant offenses, equal in status to the poor people in terms of punishment.[42] (2) Individuals who have committed significant moral transgressions.[43]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) Individuals who have committed significant transgressions, often referenced in the context of how to deal with them in rituals.[44]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 1: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory
(1) An individual who neglects the proper procedures for treating mercury and is deemed to offend the principles of the process.[45]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) Ancestors who committed major wrongdoings, for whom pindas are offered in prayers for their salvation.[46]
Jain concept of 'Great sinner'
In Jainism, a Great sinner signifies an ignorant individual committing immoral acts like killing, lying, and stealing, motivated by a pursuit of worldly desires, reflecting a departure from Jain ethical principles.
From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra
(1) An ignorant person who indulges in immoral actions such as killing, lying, and stealing, driven by desires for worldly pleasures.[47]
The concept of Great sinner in local and regional sources
The term "Great sinner" signifies Valha the fisherman’s transformation into Rishi Valmiki, emphasizing redemption through spiritual guidance. Tuka’s acknowledgment of his flaws reinforces themes of humility and repentance within this context.
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) An acknowledgment from Tuka of his flawed nature, highlighting themes of humility and repentance.[48] (2) Refers to Valha the fisherman, who underwent a significant transformation and became the rishi Valmiki through the preaching of Narad and the repetition of Rama's name.[49]