Significance of Stomach

The keyphrase "Stomach" refers to different concepts across various contexts. In South Asia, it symbolizes a woman’s consumption habits as observed by a man. In the Mahayana context, stomach denotes the organ responsible for food digestion, classified as a crucial physical substance. Similarly, in Theravada, the stomach is acknowledged as the organ where food is processed and digested, emphasizing its essential role in the digestive system. Each perspective highlights different cultural and physiological interpretations of the stomach.1

Synonyms: Abdomen, Belly, Solar plexus

In Finnish: Vatsa; In Dutch: Maag

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

Buddhist concept of 'Stomach'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, the stomach is viewed both as a physical organ essential for digestion and as a symbol of the body's material aspects, highlighting the relationship between physicality and spiritual understanding.

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

Theravada Books

From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)

(1) The organ where food is digested and processed.^[1]

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).

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

Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The organ for digesting food, classified as one of the essential physical substances.^[2]

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.

Hindu concept of 'Stomach'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, the stomach symbolizes both physical sustenance and the consequences of moral actions, as it is linked to punishment for theft, emphasizing the balance between ethical behavior and the needs of the body.

Significance of Stomach in Dharmashastra (religious law):

Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) The stomach is referenced as the location where punishment is inflicted in cases of theft, specifically through starvation.^[3]

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.

Significance of Stomach in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):

Vaishnavism Books

From: Garga Samhita (English)

(1) Refers to the bodily organ alluded to in the context of where Shri Krishna will enter.^[4]

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’).

The concept of Stomach in local and regional sources

History Books

The term "Stomach" metaphorically represents a woman's eating habits, observed by a man, highlighting consumption patterns and possibly reflecting broader themes of perception and judgment in relationships.

Significance of Stomach in South Asia:

South Asia Books

From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3

(1) A metaphorical reference to the woman's consumption habits, used in the context of the man's observations.^[5]

Last Updated: 31 October, 2024