In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra

Alpabahutva (अल्पबहुत्व, “reciprocal comparison”).—What is the meaning of reciprocal comparison (alpabahutva)? Distinction based on comparison between two entities as large/small is called is alpabahutva.

According to Tattvārthasūtra 1.8, “the categories and their details are undefrstood in detail in terms of existence, number (enumeration), place or abode, extent of space touched (pervasion), continuity /time, interval of time, thought-activity, and reciprocal comparison (alpabahutva)”.

Source: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection I

Alpabahutva (अल्पबहुत्व) refers to the “relative numerical strength (of all substances and classes of living beings)”, according to the Prajñāpanāsūtra.—(Cf. Prajñāpanātṛtīyapadasaṃgrahaṇī).—[...] The third chapter of the Prajñāpanāsūtra, called bahuvaktavyatā, deals with the relative numerical strength of all substances and classes of living beings, a concept also known under the caption alpabahutva, which is extremely complicated and important (see nagin J. Shah’s introduction to the p., pp. 270-277). This has been summarized by Abhayadeva in 133 Prakrit gāthās in a work also known under the titles Dharmaratnasaṅgrahaṇī and Prajñāpanoddhāra (see Nagin J. Shah p. 426).

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

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

Alpabahutva (अल्पबहुत्व):—[=alpa-bahu-tva] [from alpa] n. the being little or much.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Alpabahutva (अल्पबहुत्व) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Appabahu, Appābahuya.

[Sanskrit to German]

Alpabahutva 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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Alpa, Tva, Bahutva.

Full-text: Appabahuya, Appabahu, Bahuvaktavyata, Prajnapanoddhara, Dharmaratnasamgrahani.

Relevant text

Search found 3 books and stories containing Alpabahutva, Alpabahu-tva, Alpa-bahutva; (plurals include: Alpabahutvas, tvas, bahutvas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)

Verse 10.9 - Thirteen types of questioning regarding liberated souls < [Chapter 10 - Liberation]

Verse 1.8 - Further means of ascertaining knowledge (of seven categories) < [Chapter 1 - Right Faith and Knowledge]

show preview

Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Tattva 9: Mokṣa (emancipation) < [Appendix 1.4: The nine tattvas]

show preview

Jainism and Patanjali Yoga (Comparative Study) (by Deepak bagadia)

Part 3.4 - Nine Elements (9): Moksa (Liberation) < [Chapter 3 - Jain Philosophy and Practice]

show preview