In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: HereNow4u: Lord Śrī Mahāvīra

Abhayakumāra (अभयकुमार) is the name of a minister of Śreṇika.—The king of Rājagṛha, Śreṇika and his family were the best devotees of Lord Mahāvīra. This minister Abhayakumāra contributed towards bringing them this credit. Abhayakumāra was also Śreṇika's son, born to his queen Nanda. Abhayakumāra saved Śreṇika many times from political troubles.

Source: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection I

1) Abhayakumāra (अभयकुमार) or Abhayakumārakathā refers to one of the 157 stories embedded in the Kathāmahodadhi by Somacandra (narrating stories from Jain literature, based on the Karpūraprakara), which is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—The Kathāmahodadhi represents a repository of 157 stories [e.g., Abhayakumāra-kathā] written in prose Sanskrit, although each of them is preceded by a verse. Together, they stage a large number of Jain characters (including early teachers). [...]

2) Abhayakumāra (अभयकुमार) is the name of a minister of king Jitaśatru, according to he Draupadīcopaī (dealing with the lives of Jain female heroes).—The story (of the Draupadīcopaī ) is explicitly taken from the sixth aṅga of the Śvetāmbara canon, the Jñātādharmakathāṅga, chapter 16 (see vs. 6 above). The beginning of the story itself is hardly legible because of the bad condition of the first page. It starts with a king Jitaśatru, his queen Dhāriṇī and the clever minister Abhayakumāra.

context information

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.

India history and geography

Source: Ancient Buddhist Texts: Geography of Early Buddhism

Abhayakumāra (अभयकुमार) was a Buddhist from Avanti: one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas of the Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—Avanti is mentioned in the Aṅguttara Nikāya as one of the sixteen great Janapadas. Avanti was an important centre of Buddhism. Some of the leading Theras and Therīs were either born or resided there, e.g., Abhayakumāra, Isidāsī, Isidatta, Soṇakuṭikaṇṇa, and Mahākaccāna. The Dhammapada Commentary tells us that when Mahākaccāna was living at the city of Kuraraghara in Avanti, he ordained an upasāka named Sonakuṭikaṇṇa.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with: Abhayakumarakatha.

Full-text: Jitashatru, Dharini, Draupadicopai, Isidatta, Isidasi, Sonakutikanna, Mahakaccana, Draupadi, Avanti.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Abhayakumara, Abhayakumāra; (plurals include: Abhayakumaras, Abhayakumāras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Chapter XI - The story of Rauhiṇeya < [Book X - Mahāvīracaritra]

Part 4: Continuation of Abhaya and Pradyota story < [Chapter XI - The story of Rauhiṇeya]

Part 6: Śreṇika and Nandā < [Chapter VI - Adoption of right-belief by Śreṇika]

+ 9 more chapters / show preview