In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Asurakumāra (असुरकुमार) refers to a class of bhavanavāsin, which is a species of deva (gods), according to Jain cosmology. The bhavanavāsins or bhaumeyika gods (e.g. the Asuras) have a princely appearance (kumāra) and live in palaces (bhavana) and the upper part of the uppermost hell (ratnaprabhā).

The asuras have an associated caityavṛkṣa (sacred-tree) known as the Aśvattha accoring to both Digambara and Śvetāmbara. They are defined according to the cosmological texts, such as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition, or the Trilokasāra in the Digambara tradition.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 4: The celestial beings (deva)

Asurakumāra (असुरकुमार) refers to “fiendish youths” and represents on of the ten classes of “residential celestial beings” (bhavanavāsin), itself a category of devas (celestial beings), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 4.10. Why is the first sub class of residential beings called Asurakumāra? These celestial beings go down to the third ‘earth’ of the lower world and encourage the infernal beings there to fight amongst themselves to cause misery to them. As they enjoy and indulge in violence, they are called fiendish youths.

Who are the lords amongst the ‘fiendish-youths’ (asurakumāra) residential class of celestial beings? Camara and Vairocana are the two lords in the Fiendish-youths residential celestial beings.

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

Asurakumāra (असुरकुमार):—[=asura-kumāra] [from asura > asu] m. [plural] the first of the ten classes of Bhavanavāsin deities, [Jaina literature]

[Sanskrit to German]

Asurakumara 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: Kumara, Asura.

Full-text (+3): Bhavanavasin, Camara, Ratnaprabha, Camaracanca, Bhavanapati, Rudra, Sharasvara, Ambarisha, Kumbha, Valuka, Mahaghosha, Uparodra, Kala, Shyama, Dhanu, Vaitarani, Mahakala, Shabala, Asi, Paramadharmi.

Relevant text

Search found 3 books and stories containing Asurakumara, Asurakumāra, Asura-kumara, Asura-kumāra; (plurals include: Asurakumaras, Asurakumāras, kumaras, kumāras). 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 4.28 - The lifetimes of the deva < [Chapter 4 - The Celestial Beings]

Verse 3.5 - The incitement of malevolent Asurakumāra < [Chapter 3 - The Lower World and the Middle World]

Verse 4.10 - The subclasses of the residential beings (bhavanavāsī-deva) < [Chapter 4 - The Celestial Beings]

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Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti) (by K. C. Lalwani)

Chapter 8: Indras < [Book 3]

Part 1 - Power of Gods < [Chapter 3]

Part 13 - Why Asurakumāras go to Saudharma-kalpa: a second reason < [Chapter 2]

+ 36 more chapters / show preview

Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Part 11: Fifth incarnation as Aparājita < [Chapter I - Previous incarnations of Ariṣṭanemi (Nemi)]

Part 8: Birth-ceremonies presided over by Śakra < [Chapter II - Birth of Ajita and Sagara]

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