Adholoka, Adhaloka, Adhas-loka, Adha-loka: 11 definitions

Introduction:

Adholoka means something in Jainism, Prakrit, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Google Books: Jaina Iconography

Adholoka (अधोलोक).—The lower world or adho-loka is made up of seven earths, one below the other, in which are terrifying abodes of hell inhabitants:

  1. ratnaprabhā,
  2. śarkarāprabhā,
  3. vālukaprabhā,
  4. paṅkaprabhā,
  5. dhūmaprabhā,
  6. tamaḥprabhā,
  7. mahātmaprabhā.
Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Adhaloka (अधलोक) refers to the “lower world”, according to chapter 2.2 [ajitanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly:—“the lower world (i.e., adhaloka) is established below the middle world (i.e., madhyaloka) with a depth of seven rajjus less 900 yojanas. In it are seven earths, one below the other, occupying the lower part, in which are the terrifying abodes of the hell-inhabitants: Ratnaprabhā, Śarkarāprabhā, Vālukāprabhā, Paṅkaprabhā, Dhūmaprabhā, Tamaḥprabhā, Mahātamaḥprabhā; and the height of these is 180,000, 132,000, 128,000, 120,000, 118,000, 116,000, 108,000 yojanas, respectively. The earths, Ratnaprabhā, etc., become wider in succession, one below the other.”.

Source: Shodhganga: A cultural study on the jain western Indian illustrated manuscripts

Adhaloka (अधलोक).—The adha-loka is the lower world, is infernal (hell) and has the shape of a palanquin or a stack of umbrellas one inside the other.

Source: Prakrit Bharati Academy: Jainism - the Creed for all Times

Adhaloka (अधलोक, “nether universe”).—The seven hellish grounds are suspended in the nether universal space, one above the other. The vertical expanse of the nether universe is 900 yojana less than seven rajju.

The seven hellish grounds therein are–

  1. Ratnaprabhā-pṛthvī,
  2. Śarkarāprabhā-pṛthvī,
  3. Bālukāprabhā-pṛthvī,
  4. Paṅkaprabhā-pṛthvī,
  5. Dhūmraprabhā-pṛthvī,
  6. Tamaḥprabhā-pṛthvī,
  7. Mahātamaḥprabhā-pṛthvī.

All these hellish grounds are wider than the previous ones the seventh ground being seven Rajju wide.

General definition book cover
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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Adholoka (अधोलोक).—m.

(-kaḥ) The regions below the earth. E. adhas and loka world.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Adholoka (अधोलोक):—[=adho-loka] [from adhas] m. the lower world.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Goldstücker Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Adholoka (अधोलोक):—[tatpurusha compound] m.

(-kaḥ) The regions below the earth. E. adhas and loka.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Adholoka (अधोलोक):—[adho+loka] (kaḥ) 1. m. Lower regions.

[Sanskrit to German]

Adholoka in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Adhōlōka (ಅಧೋಲೋಕ):—[noun] (myth.) the lower regions; the hell.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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See also (Relevant definitions)

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