Ashvasena, Aśvasena, Ashva-sena: 14 definitions
Introduction:
Ashvasena 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 Aśvasena can be transliterated into English as Asvasena or Ashvasena, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Aśvasena (अश्वसेन).—A serpent which lived in the forest of Khāṇḍava. This was the son of Takṣaka and he tried his best to escape from the fire that burnt the forest. (Śloka 5, Chapter 239, Ādi Parva, Mahābhārata).
Once when Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa were sitting on the banks of the river Yamunā, Agni approached them and requested them to help him burn the forest of Khāṇḍava (see under Khāṇḍavadāha). They agreed to help him and Agni started burning the forest. Indra poured rains over the fire; Arjuna created a canopy of arrows and prevented the rains from falling down. Aśvasena, son of Takṣaka tried to escape from the fire but Arjuna obstructed his way by arrows. Then Aśvasena’s mother swallowed him and kept him in her stomach. Arjuna cut off her head. Seeing this Indra sent a cyclone to smash the canopy of arrows and Arjuna fell fainting. Taking the opportunity Aśvasena escaped. When Arjuna woke up from his unconscious state he found Aśvasena missing. Then Arjuna cursed him thus: "Let not you get refuge anywhere." (Chapter 226, Ādi Parva, Mahābhārata). Aśvasena kept his grudge against Arjuna till the end. In the great battle Arjuna and Karṇa met for a fight and when Karṇa sent his Nāgāstra (serpent missile) against Arjuna, Aśvasena hid himself in that missile and burnt the beautiful headwear of Arjuna. But Karṇa did not like this foul play and refused to accept him when he came back. Enraged at this the serpent attacked Arjuna directly and was killed. Before his death he got acquainted with Kṛṣṇa. (Chapter 96, Karṇa Parva, Mahābhārata).
Aśvasena (अश्वसेन).—A son of Kṛṣṇa and Satyā (Nāgnicit).*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 61. 13.
Aśvasena (अश्वसेन) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.108.9) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Aśvasena) 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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Ashwasena (अश्वसेन): Five mighty arrows shot by Karna
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Aśvasena (अश्वसेन) is the father of Pārśvanātha, the twenty-third of twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras in Janism, according to the Ācāradinakara (14th century work on Jain conduct written by Vardhamāna Sūri). A Tīrthaṅkara is an enlightened being who has conquered saṃsāra (cycle of birth and death), leaving behind him a path for others to follow.
The wife of Aśvasena is Vāmā according to Śvetāmbara or Varmilā according to Digambara. It is an ancient Jain practice to worship the Tīrthaṅkara’s parents in various rites, such as the pratiṣṭhāvidhi.
Aśvasena (अश्वसेन) is the father of Pārśvanātha: the twenty-third of twenty-four Tīrthaṃkaras or Jinas, commonly depicted in Jaina iconography.—Pārśvanātha was probably born about 817 and died about 717 B.C. His father Aśvasena was the King of Benares. His mother’s name was Vāmā or Brahmā. Pārśva was a brave warrior and once he carried his victorious arms down to Kaliṅga. He married the daughter of King Prasenajit, King of Kośala, but like Prince Siddhārtha, he left his princess to follow the life of an ascetic at 30 years of age.
Aśvasena (अश्वसेन) is the father of Sanatkumāra: one of the Cakrins (Cakravartins), according to chapter 1.6 [ādīśvara-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: “[...] In Bharata there will be twenty-three other Arhats and eleven other Cakrins. [...] The Cakrins will belong to the gotra of Kaśyapa, gold-color, and eight of them will go to mokṣa. [...] In Śrāvastī, Maghavan, the son of Bhadrā and Samudravijaya, will live for five lacs of years, forty-two and a half bows tall. Sanatkumāra, with a life of three lacs of years, in Hastināpura, one bow less than the former height, will be the son of Sahadevī and Aśvasena. In the interval between Dharma and Śānti, these two will go to the third heaven”.
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
Aśvasena (अश्वसेन).—
1) Name of a king.
2) Name of a Nāga.
3) Name of the father of the twentythird Arhat of the present Avasarpiṇī.
Derivable forms: aśvasenaḥ (अश्वसेनः).
Aśvasena is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms aśva and sena (सेन).
Aśvasena (अश्वसेन).—m.
(-naḥ) A proper name, a king.
Aśvasena (अश्वसेन).—[masculine] [Name] of a serpent-demon.
1) Aśvasena (अश्वसेन):—[=aśva-sena] [from aśva] m. Name of a Nāga, [Mahābhārata i, 803, 8237]
2) [v.s. ...] of a son of Kṛṣṇa, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
3) [v.s. ...] of the father of the twenty-third Arhat of the present Avasarpiṇī, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Aśvasena (अश्वसेन):—[aśva-sena] (naḥ) 1. m. Name of a king.
Aśvasena (अश्वसेन):—(von aśva + senā) m. Nomen proprium eines Nāga [Mahābhārata 1, 803. 8237.] Vater des 23sten Arhant's in der gegenwärtigen Avasarpiṇī [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 38.] aśvasenanṛpanandana Sanatkumāra, der 4te Cakravartin in Bhārata [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 692.]
--- OR ---
Aśvasena (अश्वसेन):—Nomen proprium eines Sohnes des Kṛṣṇa [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 10, 61, 13.]
Aśvasena (अश्वसेन):—m. Nomen proprium —
1) eines Schlangendämons. —
2) eines Sohnes des Krṣṇa —
3) *des Vaters des 23ten Arhant der gegenwärtigen Avasarpiṇī.
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)
Starts with: Ashvasenanripanandana.
Full-text: Parshvanatha, Parshva, Sadashvasena, Vama, Ashvasenanripanandana, Sharnga, Sanatkumara, Ikshumati, Sumukhi, Varmila, Samudravijaya, Maghavan, Dhataki, Dona, Sahadevi, Brahma, Gokarna.
Relevant text
Search found 18 books and stories containing Ashvasena, Aśvasena, Asvasena, Ashva-sena, Aśva-sena, Asva-sena; (plurals include: Ashvasenas, Aśvasenas, Asvasenas, senas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Chapter 4 - The Death of Karna < [Karna Parva]
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Part 7: Defense of Prasenajit < [Chapter III - Birth, youth, initiation, and omniscience of Śrī Pārśva]
Part 6: Story of Prabhāvatī < [Chapter III - Birth, youth, initiation, and omniscience of Śrī Pārśva]
Part 17: Battle with Aśanivega < [Chapter VII - Sanatkumāracakricaritra]
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Sanskrit sources of Kerala history (by Suma Parappattoli)
Appendix 2 - Kings of Musaka Dynasty—According to Musakavamsa
3. Mushakavamsa (or Mushika-vamsa) by Atula < [Chapter 3 - Historical Details from Mahakavyas]
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 85 < [English-Gujarati-Hindi (1 volume)]
Paumacariya (critical study) (by K. R. Chandra)
10. The story of Sanatkumara < [Chapter 4 - Intervening Stories]