Alternative spellings of this word include Ardhachakradhara.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: WikiPedia: Jainism

Ardhacakradhara (अर्धचक्रधर) is another name for the nine Vāsudevas (or Viṣṇu, Nārāyaṇa), referring to a set of nine “heroes” and counterpart of the antagonistic Prativāsudevas (or Prativiṣṇus, Pratinārāyaṇas), mentioned in both Śvetāmbara and Digambara literature.—In every half time cycle, there are 9 sets of Balabhadras (gentle heroes), Vasudevas (violent heroes) and Prativāsudevas (anti-heroes). Unlike in the Hindu Puranas, the names Balabhadra and Narayana are not restricted to Balarama and Krishna in Jain Puranas. Instead they serve as names of two distinct classes of mighty half brothers, who appear nine times in each half of the time cycles of the Jain cosmology and jointly rule half the earth as half-chakravarti. Ultimately Pratinaryana is killed by Narayana for his unrighteousness and immorality.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Ardha, Cakradhara.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Ardhacakradhara, Ardha-cakradhara; (plurals include: Ardhacakradharas, cakradharas). 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)

Part 12: The childhood of Suprabha and Puruṣottama < [Chapter IV - Anantanāthacaritra]

Part 5: Story of Kanakaśrī < [Chapter II - Sixth incarnation as Aparājita]

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