Candrakanta, aka: Candrakānta, Candra-kanta, Candrakāntā, Candrakantā; 10 Definition(s)

Introduction

Candrakanta means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.

Alternative spellings of this word include Chandrakanta.

In Hinduism

Purana

Candrakānta (चन्द्रकान्त).—Name of a waterfall situated in Candradvīpa, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 84. Candradvīpa is the name of a celestial region (dvīpa) covering one thousand yojanas.

1) Candrakānta (चन्द्रकान्त).—Mt. a kulaparvata of the Uttarakuru country;¹ entered the sea from fear of Indra.²

• 1) Vāyu-purāṇa 45. 25.
• 2) Matsya-purāṇa 121. 73.

2a) Candrakāntā (चन्द्रकान्ता).—A Śakti.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 44. 75.

2b) A Janapada of the Bhadra country.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 43. 19.

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.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Candrakānta (चन्द्रकान्त) refers to a type of pillar (stambha). It is a sixteen-sided shaft. Its description is found in texts such as the Kāśyapaśilpa (verse 8.11), Śilparatna (verse 21.59), Īśānaśivagurudevapaddati (verse 31.22) and Kāmikāgama (verse 53.18-20).

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.

Chandas (prosody, study of Sanskrit metres)

Candrakantā (चन्द्रकन्ता) is the name of a Sanskrit metre (chandas) to which Hemacandra (1088-1173 C.E.) assigned the alternative name of Vaiśvadevī in his auto-commentary on the second chapter of the Chandonuśāsana. Hemacandra gives these alternative names for the metres by other authorities (like Bharata), even though the number of gaṇas or letters do not differ.

context information

Chandas (छन्दस्) refers to Sanskrit prosody and represents one of the six Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines belonging to the study of the Vedas). The science of prosody (chandas-shastra) focusses on the study of the poetic meters such as the commonly known twenty-six metres mentioned by Pingalas.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Candrakānta (चन्द्रकान्त) refers to one of the two types of Sphaṭika (“crystal”), representing a kind of precious stone (gem) used for the making of images (Hindu icons), as defined in the texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—The materials listed in the Āgamas for the making of images are wood, stone, precious gems, metals, terracotta, laterite, earth, and a combination of two or three or more of the materials specified above. The precious stones mentioned in the Āgamas for the purpose of making images are [for example] sphaṭika (crystal). Sphaṭika is of two kinds, the sūryakānta and the candrakānta.

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.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Candrakānta (चन्द्रकान्त, “moon-stone”) streams with water when exposed to the moon’s rays. Cf. Bhavabhūti in Uttarāmacarita, VI, p. 12: “The lotus blossoms at sunrise, but the moon-stone streams with water when the star with cold rays appears”. (tr. N. Stchoupak, p. 117). Also see Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV)

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Candrakāntā (चन्द्रकान्ता) is the wife of Cakṣuṣmān, who is a kulakara (law-giver) according to Śvetāmbara sources, while Digambara names his wife as Dhāriṇī. The kulakaras (similair to the manus of the Brahmanical tradition) figure as important characters protecting and guiding humanity towards prosperity during ancient times of distress, whenever the kalpavṛkṣa (wishing tree) failed to provide the proper service.

These law-givers and their wifes (eg., Candrakāntā) are listed in various Jain sources, such as the Bhagavatīsūtra and Jambūdvīpaprajñapti in Śvetāmbara, or the Tiloyapaṇṇatti and Ādipurāṇa in the Digambara tradition.

Candrakānta (चन्द्रकान्त) refers to “moonstar”, and is the name of a type of precious stone (gem or jewel) typically used in ancient India. It is also known by the name Candraprabhā. Both the king (rājan) and the people used to keep previous stones as a part of their wealth and affluence. The king’s mansion was studded with precious stones of various kinds. The rich people possessed them in large quantity and used them in ornaments and for other purposes. The courtesans (gaṇiya) possessed costly jewels and their chambers were adorned with precious jewels. The palanquins of the kings, nobles and rich persons (śreṣṭhins) were inlaid with costly gems.

There were persons expert in the field of gem and jewels (eg., candrakānta) called maṇikāras (jewellers). There is a reference of maṇikāra-śreṣṭhin in Rājagṛha who had abundant gems and jewels. Various ornaments of pearls and jewels are mentioned in the texts viz. Kaṇagāvali (necklace of gold and gems), rayaṇāvali (necklace of jewels), muttāvali (necklace of pearls), etc. The above description of the various agricultural, agro-based, mining or forestry occupations clearly depicts the high level of perfection achieved in the respective fields.

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

Marathi-English dictionary

candrakānta (चंद्रकांत).—m (S) A fabulous gem supposed to be formed from the congelation of the rays of the moon, and accordingly to dissolve under the influence of her light. Ex. kiṃ daidīpyamāna caṃ0 nirmaḷa || tyāvari āvaraṇa kāśmirācēṃ ||.

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