Eight auspicious girls, Eight auspicious maidens: 1 definition
Introduction:
Eight auspicious girls means something in 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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-kathaEight auspicious Girls (representing the eight celestial nymphs of Indra’s heaven) are mentioned as holding various attributes, according to Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—Page 93.17-8: There is a list of Eight auspicious girls holding respectively sprouted water-jars, fan-palm, fly-whisk, parasol, mirror, mṛdaṅga, harp, drum and cloth and ornaments. These were regarded as eight celestial nymphs of Indra’s heaven and frequently referred in literature as aṣṭakanyā or sabhā-kanyā. They are mentioned as forming part of the articles collected for Rāma’s coronation (Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa 15.8) and that of Sugrīva where their number became sixteen. King Yudhiṣṭhira looked at these auspicious maidens as amongst the objects seen by him every morning. These were regarded as auspicious to be seen before starting on a journey.
It is stated in the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa (Sundara-kāṇḍa 18.11-4) that these eight auspicious girls moved in the train of Rāvaṇa holding respectively: i) a golden lamp; ii) fly-whisk; iii) fan-palm; iv) golden water-pot; v) sword; vi) rolled-up seat; vii) platter of gems; viii) parasol with golden star. These were depicted on the railing pillars at Mathura during the Kushan period some of which were obtained from the Jaina Kankali Tila and others from Buddhist Stūpa, they being accepted in both religions as auspicious.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Auspicious.
Full-text (+10): Eight women, Mayurahasta, Bhadrasana, Purnakumbha, Vicitrapatalaka, Pralambakamala, Ashtayoshit, Yoshit, Gandhodakabhringara, Ratnabhadralamkara, Ashtapsaras, Apsaras, Talavrintaka, Eight celestial nymphs, Eight girls, Eight nymphs, Mridanga, Fly-whisk, Ornament, Drum.
Relevant text
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