Bhuvana, aka: Bhuvanā; 9 Definition(s)

Introduction

Bhuvana means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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.

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Souls have sūkṣma-śarīras (subtle bodies) and bhuvana-śariras (material regional bodies). The buhavanas or regions are of wo kinds, namely, the suddha (pure) and the asuddha (impure) bhuvanas. The bhuvanas or the regions have been created by Paramaśiva for the enjoyment of the paśus or embodied souls. The souls that live in the pure regions are pure in their nature and those that live in the impure regions are impure.

Bhuvana (भुवन) is a synonym for adhiṣṭhāna (‘platform’), according to the Kāśyapaśilpa 6.1-2. The word adhiṣṭhāna is Sanskrit technical term referring to the “base” or “platform” on which a structure is built.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Bhuvana (भुवन):—The Sanskrit name for a classification of a ‘temple’, according to the Agnipurāṇa, featuring a list of 45 temple types. It is listed under the group named Puṣpaka, featuring rectangular-shaped temples. This list represents the classification of temples in North-India.

context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

Purana

1) Bhuvana (भुवन).—A Mahaṛṣi who visited Bhīṣma when he was lying on the verge of death. (Mahābhārata Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 26, Verse 81).

2) Bhuvana (भुवन).—A sanātana Viśvadeva. There is a reference to him in Mahābhārata Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 91, Verse 35.).

3) Bhuvana (भुवन).—A sanātana Viśvadeva. There is a reference to him in Mahābhārata Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 91, Verse 35.).

4) Bhuvanā (भुवना).—Bṛhaspati’s sister. She was married to Prabhāsa, one of the Aṣṭavasus. A son named Viśvakarmā was born to them. (Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa, 3-3-2129).

1a) Bhuvana (भुवन).—A son of Bhṛgu and a Deva.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 1. 89; Matsya-purāṇa 195. 12; Vāyu-purāṇa 65. 87.

1b) (Bhuvaneśvara) a Rudra.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 3. 71; Vāyu-purāṇa 66. 70.

2) Bhuvanā (भुवना).—The sister of Bṛhaspati and wife of Prabhāta, the 8th Vasava.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 3. 28.

context information

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Bhuvana (भुवन) or Bhuvanādhvā refers to one of the six adhvans being purified during the Kriyāvatī-dīkṣā: an important Śākta ritual described Śāradātilaka-tantra, chapters III-V.—“... Looking with the divine eye he transfers the caitanya of his disciple into himself and unites it with that of his own, thereby effecting a purification of the six adhvans namely: kalā, tattva, bhavana, varṇa, pada, and mantra”.

The word adhvā means ‘path’, and when the above six adhvans (viz. bhuvana) are purified they lead to Brahman-experience. Dīkṣā is one of the most important rituals of the Śāktas and so called because it imparts divine knowledge and destroys evil.

By bhuvanādhvā is meant according to Rāghava, (the commentator on Śāradātilaka) the etherial, the aerial, the Igneus, the aquatic and the terrestrial regions; but the Vāyavīya-saṃhitā says that the bhuvanas are the different stages of sādhanā beginning with the mūlādhāra and ending with the Unmanī, when the mind is merged in the object of adoration.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

bhuvana (भुवन).—n (S) A world; a sphere in general as peopled whether by mortals or immortals. Fourteen are enumerated. See saptalōka, saptapātāla & caudā bhuvanēṃ.

bhuvana (भुवन).—n A world.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Bhuvana (भुवन).—[bhavatyatra, bhū-ādhārādau-kthun]

1) A world, the number of worlds is either three, as in त्रिभुवन (tribhuvana) or fourteen; इह हि भुवनान्यन्ये धीराश्चतुर्दश भुञ्जते (iha hi bhuvanānyanye dhīrāścaturdaśa bhuñjate) Bh.3.23 (see loka also); cf. also अतलं सुतलं चैव वितलं च गभस्तिमत् । महातलं रसातलं पातालं सप्तमं स्मृतम् ॥ रुक्मभौमं शिलाभौमं पातालं नीलमृत्तिकम् । रक्तपीतश्वेतकृष्णभौमानि च भवन्त्यपि । पातालानां च सप्तानां लोकानां च यदन्तरम् । सुशिरं तानि कथ्यन्ते भुवनानि चतुर्दश (atalaṃ sutalaṃ caiva vitalaṃ ca gabhastimat | mahātalaṃ rasātalaṃ pātālaṃ saptamaṃ smṛtam || rukmabhaumaṃ śilābhaumaṃ pātālaṃ nīlamṛttikam | raktapītaśvetakṛṣṇabhaumāni ca bhavantyapi | pātālānāṃ ca saptānāṃ lokānāṃ ca yadantaram | suśiraṃ tāni kathyante bhuvanāni caturdaśa) || Vahni. P.; भुवनालोकनप्रीतिः (bhuvanālokanaprītiḥ) Ku.2.45; भुवनविदितम् (bhuvanaviditam) Me.6.

2) The earth.

3) Heaven.

4) A being, living creature.

5) Man, mankind.

6) Water; पाणिरेष भुवनं वितरेति छद्मवाग्भिरव वामन विश्वम् (pāṇireṣa bhuvanaṃ vitareti chadmavāgbhirava vāmana viśvam) N.21.64.

7) The number 'fourteen'.

8) Abode, residence (Ved.).

9) Becoming prosperous.

Derivable forms: bhuvanam (भुवनम्).

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