Gambhira, aka: Gambhīrā, Gambhīra; 7 Definition(s)

Introduction

Gambhira means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. Check out some of the following descriptions and leave a comment if you want to add your own contribution to this article.

In Hinduism

Purāṇa

Gambhīrā (गम्भीरा) is the name of a beautiful damsel (kanyā), with black curly hair and red lips, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 92. Gambhīrā (and other innumerable ladies) arose out of the agitation of Vaiṣṇavī while she was doing penance at Viśālā. For these young women, Vaiṣṇavī created the city Devīpura, containing numerous mansions with golden balconies, crystal stairs and water fountains, with jewelled windows and gardens.

Vaiṣṇavī is the form of Trikalā having a red body representing the energy of Viṣṇu. Trikalā is the name of a Goddess born from the combined looks of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara (Śiva).

The Varāhapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century. It is composed of two parts and Sūta is the main narrator.

1a) Gambhīra (गम्भीर).—(Gabhīra, Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa) a son of Rabhasa and father of Akriya.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 17. 10.

1b) A son of Bhautya Manu.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 1. 114.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Gambhīra (गम्भीर):—Son of Rabhasa  (son of Rābha). He had a son who was called Akriya. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.17.10)

In Buddhism

Pali

Gambhīra, (adj.) (Vedic gambhīra & gabhīra) deep, profound, unfathomable, well founded, hard to perceive, difficult.—(a) lit. of lakes: Dh.83; Pv.II, 1¹⁹ (=agādha); Pug.46; of a road (full of swamps) J.I, 196.—(b) fig. of knowledge & wisdom: dhammo g. duddaso ... M.I, 487; S.I, 136; Tathāgato g. appameyyo duppariyogāho M.I, 487; parisā g. (opp. uttāna, shallow, superficial, thoughtless) A.I, 70; g. ṭhāna w. ref. jhāna, etc. Ps.II, 21; saddhamma g. Sdhp. 530; g. gūḷha nipuṇa Nd 342; lokanātho nipuṇo g. PvA.1; also w. nipuṇa J.VI, 355; Miln.234; Bdhd. 118, 137;— (nt.) the deep; deep ground, i.e. secure foundation Sn.173; Kh VIII, 1, 3 (see KhA 217).

—avabhāsa (adj.) having the appearance of depth or profundity, D.II, 55; S.II, 36; Pug.46 (+uttāna), cp. Pug.A 226; —pañña one whose wisdom is profound Sn.176, 230; 627=Dh.403 (+medhāvin) cp. DhA.IV, 169 & see Ps.II, 192 for detailed explanation; —sita resting on depth (of soil), well-founded A.IV, 237. (Page 245)

gambhīra : (adj.) deep; profound; hard to perceive. (nt.), depth.

General definition (in Buddhism)

1) A seaport village, visited by Mittavindaka in the course of his flight from Benares. J.i.239.

2) A channel branching off from the Parakkama Samudda. It started at the point of the flood escape known as Makara. Cv.lxxix.40.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Gambhīra (गम्भीर) is the name of class of mahoraga gods according to the Digambara tradition, while the Śvetāmbara does not recognize this class. The mahoraga refer to a category of vyantaras gods which represents one of the four classes of celestial beings (devas). The mahoragas are are dark or black in complexion and the Nāga is their caitya-vṛkṣa (sacred-tree).

The deities such as the Gambhīras are defined in ancient Jain cosmological texts such as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition or the Tiloyapaṇṇati by Yativṛṣabha (5th century) in the Digambara tradition.

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