Significance of King's son
The term King's son encompasses various interpretations across Buddhist, Jain, and other South Asian traditions. In Buddhism, it often highlights the prince's desire for renunciation and his complex relationship with royalty. Jainism depicts figures like Vishakhanandin and Nalinaketu, emphasizing lineage and merit. The concept also illustrates the responsibilities and moral challenges faced by royal offspring in narratives, while highlighting their roles in governance and personal growth. This phrase manifests royal identity and the accompanying burdens in multiple cultural contexts.
Synonyms: Prince, Heir, Nobleman, Crown prince, Royal son
In Dutch: Zoon van de koning; In Finnish: Kuninkaan poika; In Spanish: Hijo del rey
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'King's son'
The term "King's son" in Buddhism symbolizes the Bodhisatta's royal lineage and existential themes, illustrating his complex relationships, moral upbringing, and desire for renunciation, ultimately reflecting impermanence and the nature of reality through various narratives.
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) Refers to the Bodhisatta in the story who is initially the son of the king in the Gandhara kingdom.[1] (2) The son of the king in the narrative who plays a pivotal role in the challenges faced by the man-eater and the overall resolution.[2] (3) Refers to the Bodhisatta's identity as the heir to the throne, which complicates his relationships with other characters.[3] (4) Refers to the Bodhisatta, who was born as a prince, suggesting themes of royal duties and moral upbringing.[4]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka
(1) Abhaya, who initiated the quest for a doctor to treat King Bimbisara's condition.[5] (2) Abhaya, who interacted with Jivaka Komarabhacca after the doctor received his payment, suggesting the construction of a dwelling in the palace.[6]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) An illustration showing that neither the king nor the son exists in an ultimate sense.[7]
From: Dipavamsa (study)
(1) Mahadathika had two sons, Amandagamani-Abhaya and Kanirajanu-Tissa.[8]
From: Mahavamsa
(1) ABHAYA and his brothers who were involved in determining Cittia's fate.[9]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) The child of the king, later named Brahmadatta, who grew up privileged.[10] (2) Refers to the prince who was a companion of Asthisena and later ascended the throne, playing a significant role in Asthisena's story.[11] (3) A reference to the Bodhisattva as the son of King Shuddhodana, highlighting his royal lineage.[12]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) An analogy used to explain how the Buddha's understanding of his past abodes evolved over time from simple awareness to recognized knowledge.[13] (2) Referring to a kumaraka, the term denotes a prince, particularly a heir to royalty.[14]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) The prince who was crowned while still young and ruled over his kingdom.[15] (2) The young prince who desired renunciation and was initially prohibited by his parents.[16] (3) The identity suggested to the young prince by the retinue, meant to undermine his bond with the king.[17]
Hindu concept of 'King's son'
In Hinduism, "King's son" symbolizes noble lineage intertwined with diverse narratives, illustrating themes of independence, love, valor, and spiritual quests, from Sudarshana's romance to Dhruva's journey, embodying the complexities of royal responsibilities.
From: Markandeya Purana
(1) The main prince engaged in battle, characterized by his skills in combat and nobility.[18] (2) Referring to Vatsapri, who successfully defeated Kujrimbha and fulfilled his father's wishes.[19] (3) The unnamed prince who carries out his father's directives and protects the hermitage.[20] (4) A reference to Avikshit himself, indicating his royal status as the son of King Karandhama.[21] (5) Referring to Ritadhvaja, the protagonist who shows valor by defeating the Danavas and marrying Madalasa.[22]
From: Padma Purana
(1) Referring to Ikshvaku, the king's son promised to protect the subjects.[23] (2) The son of the king who is involved in battle and shows bravery despite being wounded.[24] (3) A figure in the narrative whose death caused the king profound sorrow and further grief.[25]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki
(1) A reference to Rama as the progeny of King Dasaratha.[26] (2) The offspring of the king who embark on a quest to find their stolen sacrificial horse.[27]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The offspring of the king, who may also hold responsibilities in governance and decision-making.[28]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The prince whom the princess is in love with, known as Sudarshana.[29]
From: Bhagavad-gita Mahatmya
(1) The protagonist seeking the recovery of his father's horse and completing the horse-sacrifice.[30]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Refers to someone who is independent or free, as implied by the term rajara kumara.[31] (2) A reference to someone of noble birth, implying a sense of dignity or authority.[32] (3) Referring to the specific individual who is the offspring of the King and is the target of the instruction.[33]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) The offspring of the king, to whom the burden of the kingdom is reposed.[34]
From: Chaitanya Mangala
(1) Dhruva's noble status, highlighting the contrast between his royal lineage and his spiritual quest.[35]
From: Hitopadesha (English translation)
(1) The royal offspring who expressed their desire to learn about treaties following war.[36] (2) The princes who are the sons of the king, seeking knowledge from Vishnu-Sarman.[37]
From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana
(1) Refers to Krishna as being the offspring of a ruler or monarch.[38] (2) Refers to the character of Krishna, who is depicted as unsteady in his romantic pursuits with Radha.[39]
From: Sivaprakasam (Study in Bondage and Liberation)
(1) A metaphor used to illustrate the self that, although of noble origin, finds itself in a degrading condition due to external circumstances.[40]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) A character who represents royal status and interaction with other characters, often involved in love and transformation plots.[41]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) Indicates the direct heir or child of the king, emphasizing his significance in relation to familial lineage.[42]
Jain concept of 'King's son'
In Jainism, the term "King's son" can denote various figures: King Prajapati's progeny upholding family honor, Nalinaketu, Vishakhanandin desiring participation, and Vrishabhadhvaja, who attains kingship through past merit. Each embodies unique themes of responsibility, ambition, and virtue.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) Refers to Vrishabhadhvaja, who becomes the son of a king due to the merit earned from previous good deeds.[43] (2) Refers to Nalinaketu, the son of King Vindhyadatta, who later becomes a central figure in the story.[44] (3) The progeny of King Prajapati, considered to have authority and responsible for defending family honor.[45] (4) Referring to Vishakhanandin, who stood outside the garden wishing to join the game.[46]
The concept of King's son in local and regional sources
King's son encompasses various roles, from a seeker of wisdom to a pivotal character involved in revenge and metaphors for ambition, illustrating his multifaceted significance within the narrative context.
From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3
(1) The heir who ascends to the throne after the King's death and seeks revenge for his father's murder.[47] (2) The young prince who, despite his youth, plays a pivotal role in the story by opening the door to the Yaka's confinement.[48] (3) The child of a king who the Princess was disguised as to fulfill her needed obligations.[49] (4) Refers to the Prince born after the marriage of the King and the Princess.[50]
From: Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang)
(1) The protagonist who faces moral dilemmas regarding familial loyalty and social duty.[51] (2) A character who seeks the wisdom of Nagarjuna and considers the implications of self-sacrifice.[52]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) A metaphor used to compare Kamal’s aspirations of visiting sacred places to the ambitious nature of a prince.[53]