Gitayashas, Gītayaśas, Gita-yashas: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Gitayashas 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.

The Sanskrit term Gītayaśas can be transliterated into English as Gitayasas or Gitayashas, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Gitayashas in Jainism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Gītayaśas (गीतयशस्) is the name of a gandharva god according to the Śvetāmbara tradition, while the Digambara does not recognize this. The gandharvas refer to a category of vyantaras gods which represents one of the four classes of celestial beings (devas). The gandharvas have a golden appearance according to the Digambaras and the Tumbaru tree is their caitya-vṛkṣa (sacred-tree). They have a blackish complexion and are beautiful in appearance, have excellent physiognomy, sweet voices and are adorned with crowns and neckalces according to the Śvetāmbaras.

The deities such as Gītayaśas 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.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Gītayaśas (गीतयशस्) and Gītarati are the two Indras (i.e., lords or kings) of the Gandharvas who came to the peak of Meru for partaking in the birth-ceremonies of Ṛṣabha, according to chapter 1.2 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 4: The celestial beings (deva)

Gītayaśas (गीतयशस्) or Gītayaśa refers to one of the two Indras (lords) of the Gandharva class of “peripatetic celestial beings” (vyantara), itself a main division of devas (celestial beings) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 4.6. Gītarati and Gītayaśas are the two lords in the class ‘musician’ peripatetic celestial beings.

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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.

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