Devakuru: 6 definitions

Introduction
In Jainism
1. General definition
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also

Introduction:

Devakuru means something in Jainism, Prakrit, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Devakuru (देवकुरु) is the name of a region situated between the mountains Vidyutprabha and Saumanasa. These two mountains are located to the south of mount Meru and north of mount Niṣadha, which is one of the seven mountain ranges (varṣadharaparvata) of Jambūdvīpa according to Jaina cosmology. Jambūdvīpa sits at the centre of madhyaloka (‘middle world’) is the most important of all continents and it is here where human beings reside.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

1) Devakuru (देवकुरु) refers to one of the 32 mountains between the lotus-lakes situated near the four Añjana mountains, which are situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), according to chapter 2.3 [ajitanātha-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:—“In the four directions from each of the Añjana Mountains there are lotus-lakes, 100,000 yojanas square: [...]. Between each two lotus-lakes there are 2 Ratikara Mountains so there are 32 Ratikara Mountains (e.g., Devakuru). On the Dadhimukha Mountains and on the Ratikara Mountains, there are eternal shrines of the Arhats, just as on the Añjana Mountains likewise at the intermediate points of the continent there are 4 Ratikara Mountains, having a length and width of 10,000 yojanas, and a height of 1,000 yojanas, made of all kinds of jewels, divine, the shape of a jhallarī. [...] In them (i.e., the 32 Ratikara Mountains, e.g., Devakuru) the gods with all their splendor together with their retinues make eight-day festivals in the shrines on the holy days of the holy Arhats”.

2) Devakuru (देवकुरु) refers to one of the various Bhogabhūmis or Akarmabhūmis, which refers to worlds where the inhabitants are twins, and everything is supplied by wishing-trees.—(cf. Pravacanasāroddhāra 1054 f., P. 311.)

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 3: The Lower and middle worlds

Devakuru (देवकुरु) refers to one of the two most most auspicious of bhogabhūmi (regions of enjoyment). These Bhogabhūmi apply to various regions situated within Jambūdvīpa: the first continent of the Madhya-loka (middle-word), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 3.10. The five Devakuru regions in which inhabitants live have a happy-happy period (1st time period) always. There the inhabitants have a life span of one palya, height of their bodies is 6000 arrows, they take food once after an interval of three days, and their bodies are of golden colour.

Jambūdvīpa (where Devakuru is situated) is in the centre of all continents and oceans; all continents and oceans are concentric circles with Jambūdvīpa in the centre. Like the navel is in the centre of the body, Jambūdvīpa is in the centre of all continents and oceans. Sumeru Mount is in the centre of Jambūdvīpa. It is also called Mount Sudarśana.

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

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Devakuru (देवकुरु):—[=deva-kuru] [from deva] m. Name of a people and country (associated with the uttara-k), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc. [Scholiast or Commentator]]

[Sanskrit to German]

Devakuru in German

context information

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.

Relevant text

Search found 3 books and stories containing Devakuru, Deva-kuru; (plurals include: Devakurus, kurus). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Part 31: Description of Nandīśvara < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]

Part 27: Description of Puṣkaradvīpa < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]

Part 5: Death of Bhāmaṇḍala < [Chapter X - Rāma’s mokṣa (emancipation)]

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Verse 3.29 - The duration of life in the other regions < [Chapter 3 - The Lower World and the Middle World]

Verse 3.37 - The regions of labour (karmabhūmi) < [Chapter 3 - The Lower World and the Middle World]

Verse 3.30 - The condition in the regions of the north < [Chapter 3 - The Lower World and the Middle World]

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Part 3 - Time by comparison < [Chapter 7]