Chatra, aka: Chatrā; 11 Definition(s)

Introduction

Chatra means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, 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 Chhatra.

Ambiguity: Although Chatra has separate glossary definitions below, it also represents an alternative spelling of the Sanskrit word Catra. It further has the optional forms Chātra.

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Chatra (छत्र, “the parasol”).—In Indian culture only high dignitaries were allowed the use of a parasol the largest ones usually white were reserved for the king and for the gods. The larger the number of smaller parasols heaped above the main one, the higher the personage represented. Thus in Indian culture the parasol is a symbol of spiritual power.

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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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

1a) Chatra (छत्र).—The seven worlds, white in colour, are one above the other umbrella-like.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 21. 19; III. 49. 23; 55. 15; IV. 37. 35.

1b) The white umbrella as insignia of royalty given to Kāmeśvara by Viṣṇu; lofty as the sky.¹ Kauravas threatened Ugrasena to deprive him of that.²

• 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 15. 23; 17. 1; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 13. 96.
• 2) Viṣṇu-purāṇa V. 35. 14.

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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.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Chatra (छत्र) refers to an aspect of nṛsiṃha (‘man-lion’), according to the Vihagendra-saṃhitā 4.17, which mentions seventy-four forms (inlcuding twenty forms of vyūha). He is also known as Chatranṛsiṃha or Chatranarasiṃha. Nṛsiṃha is a Tantric deity and refers to the furious (ugra) incarnation of Viṣṇu.

The 15th-century Vihagendra-saṃhīta is a canonical text of the Pāñcarātra corpus and, in twenty-four chapters, deals primarely with meditation on mantras and sacrificial oblations.

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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.

Ayurveda (science of life)

1) Chatrā (छत्रा) is another name for Śatāhvā, an unidentified medicinal plant, according to verse 4.10-13 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. The fourth chapter (śatāhvādi-varga) of this book enumerates eighty varieties of small plants (pṛthu-kṣupa). Also see the description of the plant Miśreyā. Together with the names Chatrā and Śatāhvā, there are a total of twenty-four Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

2) Chatrā (छत्रा) is also mentioned as a synonym for for Miśreyā, an unidentified medicinal plant possibly identified with Foeniculum vulgare (synonym Foeniculum capillaceum) or “fennel”, from the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) or “carrot family” of flowering plants, according to verse 4.14-19. Also see Śatāhvā. Together with the names Chatrā and Miśreyā, there are a total of fifteen Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

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Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

One of the Eight Auspicious Symbols.—The Precious Parasol (Sanskrit: Chatra) or Sacred Umbrella which is similar in ritual function to the baldachin or canopy. Muller Ebeling, Ratsch & Shahi (2002) scholarly chart the origins of the Sacred Parasol as a symbolic depiction of sacred medicinal and hallucinogenic mushrooms of the Himalayan pharmacopeia; representing the protection of beings from harmful forces, illness; represents the canopy or firmament of the sky and therefore the expansiveness and unfolding of space and the element aether; represents the expansiveness, unfolding and protective quality of the sahasrara; under the auspice of the precious parasol all take refuge in the Dharma;

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Chatrā (छत्रा) is the name of the caitya-tree under which the parents of Padmaprabha are often depicted in Jaina iconography, according to the Digambara tradition. According to the Śvetāmbara tradition the tree is known as Caturābha (identified with Anethum sava). The term caitya refers to “sacred shrine”, an important place of pelgrimage and meditation in Jainism. Sculptures with such caitya-trees generally shows a male and a female couple seated under a tree with the female having a child on her lap. Usually there is a seated Jina figure on top of the tree.

Padmaprabha is the sixth of twenty-four tīrthaṅkaras: enlightened beings who, having conquered saṃsāra (cycle of birth and death), leave a path behind for others to follow. His father is Dhara according to Śvetāmbara but Dharaṇa according to Digambara and his mother is Susīmā, according to the Ācāradinakara (14th century work on Jain conduct written by Vardhamāna Sūri).

Chatra (छत्र, “sun-umbrella”).—One of the fourteen gems (ratna) serving the Cakravartin;—The chatra is a glittering white sun-umbrella. It is for the Cakravartī not only as a symbol of his dignity as a ruler, but it also cripples his enemy by its look. It protects against rain and sun, against wind and weather and gives cool shade in hot season and a warm shade in cold season.

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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

chatra (छत्र).—n (S) A large and lofty parasol, usually of red silk. It is an ensign of dignity. 2 A little silver or brass umbrella-form canopy over an idot. 3 fig. Defence, protection, guard. Ex. rājā prajācēṃ chatra; mātāpitā hīṃ mulācēṃ chatra. 4 S An umbrella or a parasol gen., a chattah or chhatri. chatra dharaṇēṃ To hold the chatra over a king or grandee in procession; and, derisively, over a person seated upon an ass in disgrace. Ex. kaikaicēṃ vapana karōnī satvara || tijavarī dharāvēṃ chatra ||. mēghānnīṃ chatra dharilēṃ It is clouding over.

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chātra (छात्र).—m S A disciple or pupil. (From chatra Umbrella or cover; as a scholar must conceal the faults of his teacher.)

chatra (छत्र).—n A large and lofty parasol. Fig. Defence. Protection.

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chātra (छात्र).—m A disciple or pupil.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Chatra (छत्र).—A mushroom.

-tram 1 A parasol, an umbrella; अदेयमासीत् त्रयमेव भूपतेः शशिप्रभं छत्रमुभे च चामरे (adeyamāsīt trayameva bhūpateḥ śaśiprabhaṃ chatramubhe ca cāmare) R.3.16; Ms. 7.96.

2) Concealing the fault of one's teacher.

Derivable forms: chatraḥ (छत्रः).

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Chatrā (छत्रा).—A mushroom; Ms.5.19; V. .176; also छत्राकी-कम् (chatrākī-kam).

See also (synonyms): chatrāka.

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Chātra (छात्र).—[chatraṃ gurorvaiguṇyāvaraṇaṃ śīlamasya Sk.; chatrā° ṇa] A pupil, disciple.

-tram A kind of honey.

Derivable forms: chātraḥ (छात्रः).

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