Ashvagriva, Ashva-griva, Aśvagrīva: 12 definitions
Introduction:
Ashvagriva means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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.
The Sanskrit term Aśvagrīva can be transliterated into English as Asvagriva or Ashvagriva, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Aśvagrīva (अश्वग्रीव).—Son born to the Sage, Kaśyapa by his wife, Danu. (Śloka 24, Chapter 65, Ādi Parva, Mahābhārata).
1a) Aśvagrīva (अश्वग्रीव).—A Dānava.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 6. 10.
1b) A son of Citraka.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 71. 114; Vāyu-purāṇa 96. 113.
Aśvagrīva (अश्वग्रीव) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.59.24, I.65, I.61.18) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Aśvagrīva) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Aśvagrīva (अश्वग्रीव) is the name of the first Prativāsudeva according to both Śvetāmbara and Digambara sources. Jain legends describe nine such Prativāsudevas (anti-heroes) usually appearing as powerful but evil antagonists instigating Vāsudeva by subjugating large portions of Bharata-land. As such, they are closely related with the twin brothers known as the Vāsudevas (“violent heroes”) and the Baladevas (“gentle heroes”).
The Prativāsudevas (such as Aśvagrīva) fight against the twin-heroes with their cakra-weapon but at the final moment are killed by the Vāsudevas. Their stories are narrated in the Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacarita (“the lives of the sixty-three illustrious persons”), a twelfth-century Śvetāmbara work by Hemacandra.
Aśvagrīva (अश्वग्रीव) refers to one of the nine Prativāsudevas (enemies of Vāsudevas), according to chapter 4.1 [śreyāṃsanātha-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:—“Now in the city Ratnapura, there was a Prativiṣṇu, Aśvagrīva, son of Mayūragrīva, borne by Nīlañjanā. He was eighty bows tall, with the color of a new cloud, with a life of eighty-four lacs of years, long-armed. The itch of his arms was not satisfied by beatings of his enemies, like that of a lion by rending the boss of an elephant. [...]”.
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
Aśvagrīva (अश्वग्रीव).—
1) Name of a demon who was a foe of Viṣṇu.
Derivable forms: aśvagrīvaḥ (अश्वग्रीवः).
Aśvagrīva is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms aśva and grīva (ग्रीव).
Aśvagrīva (अश्वग्रीव).—m.
(-vaḥ) The name of a demon, more commonly named Hayagriva. E. aśva and grīvā a neck; horse-necked.
1) Aśvagrīva (अश्वग्रीव):—[=aśva-grīva] [from aśva] m. ‘horse-neck’, Name of an Asura, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa]
2) [v.s. ...] of a son of Citraka, [Harivaṃśa 1920.]
Aśvagrīva (अश्वग्रीव):—[aśva-grīva] (vaḥ) 1. m. Demon, Hayagrīva.
Aśvagrīva (अश्वग्रीव):—(von aśva + grīvā) m. Nomen proprium einer der Feinde Viṣṇu’s [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 699.] ein Sohn der Danu [Mahābhārata 1, 2533.] [Rāmāyaṇa 3, 20, 17.] Citraka's [Harivaṃśa 1920.] ein Asura, der auf der Erde unter dem Namen Rocamāna als König auftritt, [Mahābhārata 1, 2653. fg.]
Aśvagrīva (अश्वग्रीव):—m. Nomen proprium —
1) eines Asura. —
2) eines Sohnes des Citraka.
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Aśvagrīva (ಅಶ್ವಗ್ರೀವ):—
1) [noun] (myth.) an incarnation of Viṣṇu, with horse-head.
2) [noun] a demon killed by Viṣṇu.
3) [noun] (Jain.) name of a demi-god.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches (+0): Ashva, Griva.
Full-text (+10): Vajigriva, Ashvabindu, Candavega, Mayuragriva, Hayakantha, Ashvagala, Ashvakandhara, Hayakandhara, Hayagriva, Nilanjana, Manikumbha, Carulocana, Maniketu, Meraka, Ekacakra, Pralhada, Lankesha, Magadheshvara, Taraka, Nishumbha.
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Search found 15 books and stories containing Ashvagriva, Ashva-griva, Aśva-grīva, Asva-griva, Aśvagrīva, Asvagriva; (plurals include: Ashvagrivas, grivas, grīvas, Aśvagrīvas, Asvagrivas). 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: Incarnation as Tripṛṣṭha < [Chapter I - Previous births of Mahāvīra]
Part 20: Rivalry for Svayamprabhā < [Chapter I - Śreyāṃsanāthacaritra]
Part 17: Story of Aśvagrīva < [Chapter I - Śreyāṃsanāthacaritra]
Lord Hayagriva in Sanskrit Literature (by Anindita Adhikari)
Some other References of Hayagrīva < [Chapter 3]
Harivamsha Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter 34 - Krausthu’s Family < [Book 1 - Harivamsa Parva]
Chapter 38 - An Account of Svyamantaka Jewel < [Book 1 - Harivamsa Parva]
Ramayana of Valmiki (Griffith) (by Ralph T. H. Griffith)
Chapter XIV: Jatayus < [Book III]
Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti) (by K. C. Lalwani)
Part 3 - On patriarchs < [Chapter 5]
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section LXV < [Sambhava Parva]
Section CCXXVII < [Mokshadharma Parva]
Section LXVII < [Sambhava Parva]