Citraratha, Citra-ratha, Citrarathā: 18 definitions
Introduction:
Citraratha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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 Chitraratha.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: Bhagavata PuranaCitraratha (चित्ररथ):—Son of Supārśvaka (son of Śrutāyu). He had a son named Kṣemādhi. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.13.23)
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia1) Citraratha (चित्ररथ).—(AṄGĀRAPARṄA). A devagandharva. Birth. Citraratha was the gandharva son of Kaśyapaprajāpati of his wife Muni. (Śloka 43, Chapter 65, Ādi Parva). (See full article at Story of Citraratha from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)
2) Citraratha (चित्ररथ).—One of the ministers of Daśaratha. He belonged to the Sūta dynasty. (Śloka 17, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa).
3) Citraratha (चित्ररथ).—A king of Sālva. Once Reṇukā, wife of Jamadagni, after her bath in the river stayed ashore watching this king and his queen bathe in the river with erotic plays. Reṇukā thus reached the āśrama a bit late and Jamadagni enraged at this commanded his son Paraśurāma to chop the head of his own mother. (Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa, Chapter 59).
4) Citraratha (चित्ररथ).—A king of the dynasty of Bharata. He was the son of King Gaya. Citraratha had a sister named Sugati and a brother Avarodhana. (Pañcama Skandha, Bhāgavata).
5) Citraratha (चित्ररथ).—A prince of Pāñcāla. He was killed in the battle of Mahābhārata by Droṇācārya. (Śloka 43, Chapter 122, Droṇa Parva).
6) Citraratha (चित्ररथ).—A king of the Aṅga country. He married Prabhāvatī, sister of Ruci, wife of Devaśarmā. (Śloka 8, Chapter 42, Anuśāsana Parva, Mahābhārata).
7) Citraratha (चित्ररथ).—A king of the Yādava dynasty. He was the son of Uśaṅku and father of Śūra. (Śloka 29, Chapter 147, Anuśāsana Parva).
8) Citraratha (चित्ररथ).—Son of Vīrabāhu and a friend of Śrī Rāma. In the Rājya Kāṇḍa of Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa there is the following story about him.
Citraratha was also one among those assembled for the svayaṃvara of Hemā, daughter of Kuśa. He sent an anaesthetic missile to the assemblage and made them all fall down senseless. He then took Hemā out from the marriage hall. But on reaching outside he felt he had done a very unjust thing and so withdrew the missile and stood outside ready to fight. A fight ensued in which Citraratha defeated all. But Lava alone continued to fight with him. Vīrabāhu, father of Citraratha, who was closely watching the fight came to the help of Citraratha and engaging Lava in a fight struck him down. Kuśa seeing this attacked Vīrabāhu and bound him hand and foot. At that time Śrī Rāma came to the scene and told Kuśa that Vīrabāhu was a friend of his and set Vīrabāhu free. Hemā was then married to Citraratha and Vīrabāhu was sent away with due respect.
9) Citraratha (चित्ररथ).—An Indian river of purāṇic fame. (Chapter 9, Bhīṣma Parva, Mahābhārata).
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationCitraratha (चित्ररथ) refers to the foremost among the Gandharvas, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.2 (“The Prayer of the gods).—Accordingly, as the Gods eulogized Śiva: “[...] Among the Gandharvas you are Citraratha; among the Vasus you are certainly the fire; among the months you are the intercalary month; among the holy rites you are the Caturdaśī rite. Among all lordly elephants you are Airāvata; among all Siddhas you are Kapila; among all serpents you are Ananta, among all Pitṛs you are Aryaman. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Citraratha (चित्ररथ).—A son of Gaya, and father of Samrāṭ; wife Ūrṇā.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 15. 14.
1b) A Gandharva who crossed the place where the bones of a certain Kauśika lay dropped down to the earth. After collecting and throwing them into the Sarasvatī, he went to his home.1 He was seen sporting at the Ganges with apsaras by Reṇukā.2
1c) The son of Supārśvaka and father of Kṣemādhi. He was king of Mithilā.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 13. 23.
1d) The son of Ukta and father of Kaviratha.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 22. 40.
1e) The son of Dharmaratha, well known as Romapāda. A friend of Daśaratha. As he had no children, he adopted Śāntā, daughter of Daśaratha. Ṛṣyaśṛnga married her. Then he had a son Caturanga.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 23. 7-10; Matsya-purāṇa 48. 94; Vāyu-purāṇa 93. 103; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 18. 16-18.
1f) The son of Ruśeku (Ruṣ(ś)anku-m. p., vi. p.) and father of Śaśabindu.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 23. 31; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 70. 18; Matsya-purāṇa 44. 17; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 12. 2-3.
1g) A son of Vṛṣṇi and a grandson of Anamitra. Father of Pṛthu and other sons.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 24. 15 and 18.
1h) A Mauneya Gandharva; overlord of the Gandharvas, Kinnaras and Vidyādharas;1 served as the calf when the Gandharvas milked the earth in the lotus vessel along with the Apsaras.2
- 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 3; 8. 10; IV. 20. 50; Matsya-purāṇa 8. 6; Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 2; 70. 9.
- 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 36. 221.
1i) A son of Agāvaha.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 71. 257.
1j) A son of Bhūri.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 50. 80.
1k) The son of Raśādu; performed several sacrifices; became later known as Śaśabindu; had 10,000 sons of whom six were famous with names beginning in Pṛthu.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 95. 17-18, 20-21.
1l) A son of Uṣṇa.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 99. 272; 108. 49.
Citraratha (चित्ररथ) refers to the name of a Forest mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. III.174.16). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Citraratha) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
Citraratha is also mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.59.42, I.65, I.89.44) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places.

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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Kubjikāmata-tantraCitrarathā (चित्ररथा, “whose vehicle is bright”):—One of the nine Dūtī presided over by one of the nine bhaivaravas named Hāṭakeśa (emanation of Ananta, who is the central presiding deity of Dūtīcakra), according to the Kubjikāmata-tantra and the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā.

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.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)Citraratha (चित्ररथ) refers to “chief among the Gandharvas and a representation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s opulence”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra1) Citraratha (चित्ररथ) refers to one of the fifty-thousand sons of Amitatejas, according to chapter 5.1 [śāntinātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.—Accordingly:—“Then Arkakīrti’s son (i.e., Amitatejas) himself gave Śrīvijaya the vidyā obstructing weapons, capturing, and also releasing. He, causing death to enemies, sent fifty thousand of his sons: [e.g., Citraratha] and others accompanied by an army with the best of heroes, Tripṛṣṭha’s son, to the city Camaracañcā to take Sutārā from Aśanighoṣa at once. [...]”.
2) Citraratha (चित्ररथ) refers to one of the sons of Padmāvatī and king Priyamvada from Riṣṭapura, according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.5 [The kidnapping of Sītā].—Accordingly, as Kulabhūṣaṇa related to Rāma: “The jīvas of Udita and Mudita fell from Śukra and in Bharata in the city Riṣṭapura became the sons, Ratnaratha and Citraratha, of King Priyamvada by his wife Padmāvatī. [...]”.

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: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryCitraratha (चित्ररथ).—
1) the sun.
2) Name of a king of the Gandharvas, one of the sixteen sons of Kaśyapa by his wife Muni; अत्र मुनेस्तनयश्चित्रसेनादीनां पञ्चदशानां भ्रातॄणामधिको गुणैः षोडश- श्चित्ररथो नाम समुत्पन्नः (atra munestanayaścitrasenādīnāṃ pañcadaśānāṃ bhrātṝṇāmadhiko guṇaiḥ ṣoḍaśa- ścitraratho nāma samutpannaḥ) K.136; V.1.
Derivable forms: citrarathaḥ (चित्ररथः).
Citraratha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms citra and ratha (रथ).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryCitraratha (चित्ररथ).—(once Citta°; = Pali Cittaratha; see also Caitra°), name of one of the groves of the Trāyastriṃśa gods: Mahāvastu i.32.5; 149.14; 217.2; ii.19.16 (Citta°); 181.7; 451.20.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryCitraratha (चित्ररथ).—m.
(-thaḥ) 1. The sun. 2. The chief of the Gand'harbas or choristers of Indra'S heaven. E. citra painted, and ratha a car; lord of the painted car. citraḥ rathaḥ asya .
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryCitraratha (चित्ररथ).—I. adj. having a brilliant chariot, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 4, 10, 22. Ii. m. 1. the sun. 2. a proper name, Mahābhārata 2, 407. Iii. f. thā, the name of a river, 6, 341.
Citraratha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms citra and ratha (रथ).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryCitraratha (चित्ररथ).—[adjective] having a bright chariot; [masculine] [Name] of a Gandharva & [several] men.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Citraratha (चित्ररथ):—[=citra-ratha] [from citra > cit] mfn. (tra-) having a bright chariot (Agni), [Ṛg-veda x, 1, 5]
2) [v.s. ...] m. the sun, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) [v.s. ...] the polar star (Dhruva), [Bhāgavata-purāṇa iv, 10, 22]
4) [v.s. ...] Name of a man, [Ṛg-veda iv, 30, 18]
5) [v.s. ...] the king of the Gandharvas, [Atharva-veda viii, 10, 27; Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Vikramorvaśī; Kādambarī; Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
6) [v.s. ...] Name of a king, [Tāṇḍya-brāhmaṇa xx, 12; Pañcatantra]
7) [v.s. ...] of a king of the Aṅgas, [Mahābhārata xiii, 2351]
8) [v.s. ...] of a descendant of Aṅga and son of Dharma-ratha, [Harivaṃśa 1695 ff.; Bhāgavata-purāṇa ix, 23, 6]
9) [v.s. ...] of a snake-demon, [Kauśika-sūtra 74]
10) [v.s. ...] of a son (of Gada or Kṛṣṇa, [Harivaṃśa 9193]; of Uṣadgu or Ruśeku, [Mahābhārata xiii, 6834; Harivaṃśa 1971; Bhāgavata-purāṇa ix, 23, 30]; of Vṛṣṇi, [24, 14 and 17]; of Gaja, [v, 15, 2]; of Supārśvaka, [ix, 13, 23]; of Ukta or Uṣṇa, [22 39])
11) [v.s. ...] of a prince of Mṛttikāvatī, [Mahābhārata iii, 11076] (cf. [Bhāgavata-purāṇa ix, 16, 3])
12) [v.s. ...] of a Sūta, [Rāmāyaṇa ii, 32, 17]
13) [v.s. ...] of an officer, [Rājataraṅgiṇī viii, 1438]
14) [v.s. ...] of a Vidyā-dhara, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
15) Citrarathā (चित्ररथा):—[=citra-rathā] [from citra-ratha > citra > cit] f. Name of a river, [Mahābhārata vi, 341]
16) Citraratha (चित्ररथ):—[=citra-ratha] [from citra > cit] cf. caitraratha
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryCitraratha (चित्ररथ):—[citra-ratha] (thaḥ) 1. m. The sun; a Gandharba or celestial chorister.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusCitraratha (ಚಿತ್ರರಥ):—
1) [noun] the Sun-God, whose vehicle is made of bright rays of light.
2) [noun] the Fire-God.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Ratha, Citra.
Starts with: Citrarathabahlika, Citrarathabalhika.
Full-text (+88): Caitraratha, Rathacitra, Angaraparna, Citrarathabahlika, Kaviratha, Arnacitraratha, Caitrarathi, Prithukarman, Shashabindu, Kshemadhi, Samraj, Suparshvaka, Bhagnaratha, Dagdhika, Citrarathi, Gandharvaraja, Shucidratha, Cittiraratan, Dagdharatha, Kadambara.
Relevant text
Search found 50 books and stories containing Citraratha, Citra-ratha, Citra-rathā, Citrarathā; (plurals include: Citrarathas, rathas, rathās, Citrarathās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Bhagavad-gita (with Vaishnava commentaries) (by Narayana Gosvami)
Verse 10.26 < [Chapter 10 - Vibhūti-yoga (appreciating the opulences of the Supreme Lord)]
Verse 11.22 < [Chapter 11 - Viśvarūpa-darśana-yoga (beholding the Lord’s Universal Form)]
Verse 18.41 < [Chapter 18 - Mokṣa-yoga (the Yoga of Liberation)]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Samkhya thoughts in the Mahabharata (by Shini M.V.)
Introduction to Sāṃkhya Philosophy < [Chapter 2 - The Principles of Sāṃkhya Philosophy]
Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya) (by George Thibaut)
I, 3, 35 < [First Adhyāya, Third Pāda]
Brahma Sutras (Nimbarka commentary) (by Roma Bose)
Brahma-Sūtra 1.3.35 < [Adhikaraṇa 9 - Sūtras 34-41]