Bhuvana, Bhuvanā: 31 definitions
Introduction:
Bhuvana means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi, Hindi. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Bhuvan.
Images (photo gallery)
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.
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.
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 and Itihasa (epic history)
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).
Bhuvana (भुवन) refers to the “universe”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.4.—Accordingly, as Umā (Durgā/Satī) spoke to the Gods:—“[...] Hear further, O Viṣṇu, O Brahmā, O sages and O gods, the divine sports of the supreme lord Śiva, that protect the universe [i.e., bhuvana-pālinī]. Oppressed by the pangs of bereavement He wreathed a garland of my bones. Although He is the sole enlightened god He did not get peace anywhere. Like a non-god, like a helpless creature he roamed about here and there and cried aloud. The lord Himself could not distinguish between the proper and the improper. [...]”.
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.
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.
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.
Kavya (poetry)
Bhūvana (भूवन) refers to 1) “water”, 2) “the world”, and is mentioned in the Naiṣadha-carita 21.64.
Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Bhuvana (भुवन) refers to the “universe”, according to the Jñānaratnāvalī, (p. 268).—Accordingly, “The remaining one is the inferior lokadharmiṇī [initiation], [which] after death [leads the candidate to] the universe he desired (abhilakṣita-bhuvana). But the inferior [lokadharmiṇī initiation] bestows supernatural powers, starting with the power to become as small as one wishes, and the qualities of the deity presiding over the [respective cosmic level], after the purification of the cosmic path up to the level of the universe [the candidate] desires (abhilaṣita-bhuvana) . And even on this desired cosmic level, the cessation of karma is [only] of the unmeritorious part. [...]”
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)
Bhuvana (भुवन) represents the number 3 (three) in the “word-numeral system” (bhūtasaṃkhyā), which was used in Sanskrit texts dealing with astronomy, mathematics, metrics, as well as in the dates of inscriptions and manuscripts in ancient Indian literature.—A system of expressing numbers by means of words arranged as in the place-value notation was developed and perfected in India in the early centuries of the Christian era. In this system the numerals [e.g., 3—bhuvana] are expressed by names of things, beings or concepts, which, naturally or in accordance with the teaching of the Śāstras, connote numbers.
Ganita (गणित) or Ganitashastra refers to the ancient Indian science of mathematics, algebra, number theory, arithmetic, etc. Closely allied with astronomy, both were commonly taught and studied in universities, even since the 1st millennium BCE. Ganita-shastra also includes ritualistic math-books such as the Shulba-sutras.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Bhuvana (भुवन) refers to one of the “six ways” (adhvās) of altering the Vaibhava-Dīkṣā iniatiation, as discussed in chapter 19 of the Sāttvatasaṃhitā: one of the most ancient of Pāñcarātra Āgamas consisting of roughly 3500 verses which stresses the theological standpoint of the oneness of God despite his various vyūhas (modes of existence), vibhavas (manifestations) and avatāras (incarnations).—Description of the chapter [dīkṣāvidhiḥ, varṇādhvavijñānaṃ ca]: [Regarding vaibhavadīkṣā]: Since, as it was said that this dīkṣā can give one also either bhoga or bhoga-and-kaivalya, there follow some specific instructions as to how to alter certain details of the ceremonies in order to gain a specific end. Five ways are briefly mentioned, each one concerned in some way or another with one of the six pots used in the dīkṣā-rites: the buddhimaya-adhvā-path, the śabdabrahmamaya-adhvā-path, the kāla-adhvā-path, the pada-adhvā-path and the bhuvana-adhvā-path (123-151). [...]
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Shaiva philosophy
Bhuvana (भुवन) refers to the “different worlds” (constructed out of the metaphysical principles—tattvas), according to Bhaṭṭa Rāmakaṇṭha’s 10th-century Tattvatrayanirṇayavivṛti—a commentary on the 7th-century Tattvatrayanirṇaya by Sadyojyoti which discusses philosophical aspects of Śiva including the theories of Puruṣas (souls), Māyā (primal matter) and Mala (the innate impurity afflicting souls).—The term bhuvana represents the different worlds or planes of existence constructed out of the metaphysical principles (tattvas), while bhuvanaja refers to those entities—such as bodies or forms—that are generated within and shaped by the particular characteristics of these worlds. In the translation, bhuvana-ja highlights the infinite variety of embodied forms or existences that are possible as a result of the soul’s karmic experiences unfolding across multiple worlds (bhuvana).
Shaiva philosophy is a spritiual tradition within Hinduism that includes theories such as the relationship between the Atman (individual soul) and Siva, the nature of liberation (moksha), and the concepts of maya (illusion) and shakti (divine energy). Saiva philosophy teaches that union with Shiva can be achieved through knowledge, devotion, and spiritual practice. It encompasses major branches like Shaiva Siddhanta and Kashmir Shaivism.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Bhuvana (भुवन) refers to the “(three) worlds”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Fool, having formed a delight in pleasure which is produced by the objects of the senses [and is] continually transitory, the three worlds are destroyed (bhuvanatraya—vinaṣṭaṃ bhuvanatrayam)”.
Synonyms: Jagat.
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
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.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit 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) Bhartṛhari 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) Kumārasambhava 2.45; भुवनविदितम् (bhuvanaviditam) Meghadūta 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).
Bhuvana (भुवन).—n.
(-naṃ) 1. A world, (they are said to be either three or fourteen in number.) 2. Water. 3. Heaven. 4. Man, mankind. 5. The number “fourteen.” 6. The earth. E. bhū to be, kyun Unadi aff.
Bhuvana (भुवन).—i. e. bnu + ana, n. 1. A being,
Bhuvana (भुवन).—[neuter] being, existence, thing; world (2, 3, 7, or 14), earth; place of existence, abode, dwelling.
Bhuvana (भुवन) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—a teacher of yoga. Mentioned in Śaktiratnākara Oxf. 101^b.
1) Bhuvana (भुवन):—[from bhū] n. a being, living creature, man, mankind, [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.
2) [v.s. ...] (rarely m.) the world, earth, [ib.] (generally 3 worlds are reckoned [see tri-bhuvana and bhuvana-traya], but also 2 [see bhuvana-dvaya], or 7 [Mahābhārata xii, 6924] or 14 [Bhartṛhari]; cf. [Religious Thought and Life in India 102 n.1])
3) [v.s. ...] place of being, abode, residence, [Atharva-veda; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa]
4) [v.s. ...] a house ([varia lectio] for bhavana), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
5) [v.s. ...] (?) causing to exist (= bhāvana), [Nirukta, by Yāska vii, 25]
6) [v.s. ...] water, [Naighaṇṭuka, commented on by Yāska i, 15]
7) [v.s. ...] m. Name of a [particular] month, [Taittirīya-saṃhitā]
8) [v.s. ...] of a Rudra, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]
9) [v.s. ...] of an Āptya (author of [Ṛg-veda x, 157]), [Ṛgveda-anukramaṇikā]
10) [v.s. ...] of a teacher of Yoga, [Catalogue(s)]
11) [v.s. ...] of another man, [Mahābhārata]
Bhuvana (भुवन):—(naṃ) 1. n. A world; water; heaven; mankind.
Bhuvana (भुवन):—
Bhuvana (भुवन):——
1) n. — a) Wesen , belebtes Wesen , ein existirendes Ding. — b) Welt , die Erde. bhvanadvaya n. Himmel und Erde , bhvanatraya ([252,8]) n. Himmel , Luftraum und Erde. Es werden auch 7 und 14 Welten angenommen. 14 Reiche auf Erden [Indische sprüche 6155.] Ausnahmsweise auch m. — c) Ort der Existenz , Aufenthalt. — d) *Haus. — e) *das Werden oder Gedeihen. — f) *das zur Existenz Bringen. — g) *Wasser. —
2) m. — a) ein best. Monat. — b) Nomen proprium — α) eines Rudra. — β) verschiedener Männer.
Bhuvana (भुवन) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Bhuvaṇa, Bhuvaṇā.
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.
Hindi dictionary
Bhuvana (भुवन) [Also spelled bhuvan]:—(nm) the world; earth; -[traya] the three worlds; viz. —this world, the world above and the nether world; ~[pati] Master, Creator of the world; ~[vidita] known the world over; [bhuvaneśa/bhuvaneśvara] see ~[pati].
...
Prakrit-English dictionary
1) Bhuvaṇa (भुवण) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Bhuvana.
2) Bhuvaṇā (भुवणा) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Bhuvanā.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
Kannada-English dictionary
Bhuvana (ಭುವನ):—
1) [noun] the whole universe.
2) [noun] the earth and its inhabitants; the world.
3) [noun] the human race; mankind.
4) [noun] water.
5) [noun] a building where a man or a family normally dwels; a house.
6) [noun] a developing or being developed; development.
7) [noun] a sea or ocean.
8) [noun] the apparent blue canopy over our heads; the sky.
9) [noun] a wide stretch of land covered by wild growth of trees and undershrubs; a forest.
10) [noun] an open, armed conflict between two military forces; a war.
11) [noun] (math.) a symbol for the number fourteen.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Bhuvana (भुवन):—n. 1. the world; 2. the earth; 3. a being; living creature; 4. water; 5. the fourteen cosmological regions (above; below and including the world); 6. the number fourteen; 7. people;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
Pali-English dictionary
bhuvana (ဘုဝန) [(na) (န)]—
[bhū+yu]
[ဘူ+ယု]
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+18): Bhuvanabhartri, Bhuvanabhavana, Bhuvanacandra, Bhuvanacarita, Bhuvanacyava, Bhuvanadbhuta, Bhuvanadhva, Bhuvanadipa, Bhuvanadipaka, Bhuvanadipika, Bhuvanadvaya, Bhuvanadvish, Bhuvanagarbhita, Bhuvanaguru, Bhuvanahita, Bhuvanaja, Bhuvanajit, Bhuvanajnana, Bhuvanakallola, Bhuvanakamtaka.
Full-text (+189): Bhavana, Abhibhavana, Anubhavana, Bhuvaneshvara, Tribhuvana, Bhuvaneshvari, Adhobhuvana, Avibhavana, Bhuvanatraya, Amartyabhuvana, Bhuvanesha, Bhuvanakosha, Brahmabhuvana, Martyabhuvana, Bhuvanadhva, Bhuvanashasin, Bhuvanadbhuta, Bhuvanacyava, Bhuvanatala, Paccanubhavana.
Relevant text
Search found 127 books and stories containing Bhuvana, Bhu-yu, Bhū-yu, Bhuvanā, Bhuvaṇa, Bhuvaṇā, Bhuvanas; (plurals include: Bhuvanas, yus, Bhuvanās, Bhuvaṇas, Bhuvaṇās, Bhuvanases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 800 < [Hindi-Bengali-English Volume 2]
Page 712 < [Malayalam-English-Kannada (1 volume)]
Page 588 < [Kannada-English-Malayalam (1 volume)]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Brahma Archana Paddhati (text and translation) (by Prabhunath Dwivedi)
Some Astronomy < [Second Section]
Cidgaganacandrika (study) (by S. Mahalakshmi)
Verse 181 [Śakti’s worship helps transcend bond of Ṣaḍadhvā] < [Chapter 4 - Fourth Vimarśa]
Verse 105 [Bhūcarī in Akramasṛṣṭi] < [Chapter 3 - Third Vimarśa]
Verse 295 [Mantrādhvā—haṃsaḥ-so'ham] < [Chapter 4 - Fourth Vimarśa]
Sankhayana-grihya-sutra (by Hermann Oldenberg)
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