Significance of Heavenly body
Heavenly body, in the context of Buddhism and Purana, symbolizes a transformed or divine form associated with purity and sacredness. It represents the celestial transformations of individuals who practice holiness, like Indra, Lord of Gods, whose body is marked by divinity. Additionally, it encompasses spiritual evolutions seen in creatures like rabbits and dogs after significant experiences. In Indian history, heavenly body also refers to celestial objects like the sun and moon, which are significant in astrology as moving entities amid fixed stars.
Synonyms: Celestial body, Star, Planet, Moon, Comet, Satellite
In Finnish: Taivaankappale; In Spanish: Cuerpo celestial
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Heavenly body'
In Buddhism, a Heavenly body signifies the transformed state of a hunter, embodying divine representation and purity, illustrating the potential for spiritual evolution and transcendence towards a more enlightened existence.
From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
(1) A heavenly body is a desirable state of existence, but Cunda states that he does not seek it, as even in that state, one's mind is not so sweet, indicating his focus on spiritual liberation.[1] (2) A celestial object, King Ajatasatru says that he is not yet dead, and yet he has a heavenly body, casting away a short life, and gained a long one.[2] (3) Something that people have gained upon coming to the Tathagata, indicating a positive rebirth.[3] (4) This is a state that King Ajatasatru has, signifying a transformed existence, and it represents a long life.[4]
From: The Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King (A Life of Buddha)
(1) The transformed form of the hunter, associated with divine representation and purity in nature.[5]
Hindu concept of 'Heavenly body'
In Hinduism, "Heavenly body" signifies a divine form attained through holy practices, exemplified by mythical transformations and divine interactions, highlighting the connection between the mortal and divine realms, such as in the cases of Indra and the doe.
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Griffith)
(1) This refers to the body of Indra, the Lord of Gods, upon which the cow's tears fell, indicating the divine.[6]
From: Markandeya Purana
(1) The transformed state of the doe into a celestial form after being embraced by Svarocis, indicating the intertwining of the divine and mortal realms.[7]
From: Bhagavad-gita-mahatmya
(1) The spiritual form attained by the rabbit and the dog after their experiences in the forest.[8]
The concept of Heavenly body in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Heavenly body" describes celestial objects, such as planets, the sun, and the moon, that are integral to astrology, as they move against a backdrop of fixed stars and hold significance in astrological interpretations.
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) This is used to describe a celestial object, like a star or planet, that is observed with the astrolabe.[9] (2) This is a term used in astrology to describe any celestial object, including the sun and moon, that appears to move against the background of fixed stars, and is considered a 'planet' in astrological contexts.[10]
Classical concept of 'Heavenly body'
From: Ancient Egypt the Light of the World
(1) The word khabsu is the name for a lamp, but, in the present instance, the determinative shows that a heavenly body is meant, and if a plausible correction be allowed, there were khabsu trees upon the mount of glory as well as deities of the lamp.[11]