Girivraja, aka: Giri-vraja; 7 Definition(s)

Introduction

Girivraja means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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 Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Girivraja (गिरिव्रज).—A city which has gained great importance in all the Purāṇas of India. Origin. There was once a King named Kuśa in the Pūru dynasty. (For genealogy see under 'Gādhi'). This Kuśa begot of his wife, Vaidarbhī, four sons named Kuśāmba, Kuśanābha, Asūrtarajasa and Vasu. Each of them built a city of his own and started his rule there. Girivraja is the magnificent city built by Vasu. (Sarga 32, Bāla Kāṇḍa, Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa). Jarāsandha’s rule. Vasu had a son named Bṛhaḍratha and Jarāsandha was the son of Bṛhadratha. During the rule of Jarāsandha Girivraja became glorious like Nandanodyāna. This city lying in the midst of five mountains was the seat of prosperity then. (Chapter 21, Sabhā Parva). Jarāsandha kept many mighty kings of his time, as prisoners in this city. Unable to control his wrath against Kṛṣṇa once he hurled his mace a hundred times and threw it from Girivraja to Mathurā. Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Bhīmasena and Arjuna entered Girivraja in disguise and engaging Jarāsandha in a duel killed him and crowned his son as King. (Chapter 24, Sabhā Parva). Once King Duṃdhumāra abandoning the gifts offered by the devas came and slept in Girivraja. (Śloka 39, Chapter 6, Anuśāsana Parva). (See full article at Story of Girivraja from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

Girivraja (गिरिव्रज).—The capital of Jarāsandha, entered by Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna and Bhīma disguised as Brahmaṇas.¹ Here Gautama retired and Kakṣivat attained Brahmanhood. Here too the Bṛhadrathas ruled.² Capital of Somādhi, son of Sahadeva killed in Bhārata war; capital of Śiśunāka after Nandivardhana while his son ruled from Benares.³ Capital of the Māgadheyas.⁴

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 70. 24; 72. 16.
• 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 74. 95, 110 and 128.
• 3) Matsya-purāṇa 271. 19; 272. 6.
• 4) Vāyu-purāṇa 99. 296, 315.

Girivraja (गिरिव्रज) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. II.27.15) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Girivraja) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

context information

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Girivraja (गिरिव्रज) is a Sanskrit name for the capital city of Jarāsandha (King of Magadha). According to the Mahābhārata, 2.21: “the impregnable city of Girivraja that was full of cheerful and well-fed inhabitants belonging to all the four orders, and where festivities were perennial”

Girivraja (गिरिव्रज): A Wealthy city in Kekaya Kingdom also called Rajagriha.

India history and geogprahy

Girivraja (गिरिव्रज) or Giribbaja was an ancient capital of Magadha, one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas of the Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—Early Pāli literature abounds in information about the Magadha country, its people, and its ancient capital Giribbaja. Magadha roughly corresponds to the modern Patna and Gayā districts of Bihar. Its earliest capital was Girivraja, or old Rājagriha, near Rājgir among the hills near Gayā. Giribbaja seems to have other and perhaps older names. The Rāmāyaṇa tells us that the city was known by the name of Vasumati.

The Mahābhārata seems to record that Girivraja was also called Bārhadrathapura as well as Māgadhapura and that Māgadhapura was a well-fortified city being protected by five hills. Other names recorded in the Mahābhārata are Varāha, Vrishabha, Rishigiri, and Caityaka. The statement of the Mahābhārata that Girivraja was protected by five hills is strikingly confirmed by the Vimānavatthu Commentary (p. 82) in which we read that the city of Giribbaja was encircled by the mountains Isigili, Vepulla, Vebhara, Paṇḍava and Gijjhakūṭa.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Girivraja (गिरिव्रज).—Name of a city in Magadha.

Derivable forms: girivrajam (गिरिव्रजम्).

Girivraja is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms giri and vraja (व्रज).

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