Gopaka: 15 definitions
Introduction:
Gopaka means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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.
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In Hinduism
Kavya (poetry)
Gopaka (गोपक) is the name of a warrior slain by Kālakampana, according to Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 47. His name is found in “the story of Sūryaprabha and how he attained Sovereignty over the Vidyādharas” told by king Vajraprabha to Naravāhanadatta.
The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Gopaka, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.
Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Gopaka (गोपक) refers to one of the Sixteen Arhats (known in Tibetan as gnas brtan bcu drug) who were chosen by Buddha Shakyamuni to remain in the world and protect the Dharma until the arrival of the future Buddha Maitreya. They vowed to maintain the Dharma for as long as beings could benefit from it. These legendary Arhats [e.g., Gopaka] were revered in countries such as China, Japan, India and Tibet—a tradition which continues up until this day, for example in Zen Buddhism and Tibetan art.
Gopaka is also known as Jīvaka Kumārabhṛta or Kaumārabhṛtya (Pali: Komārabhacca) and is associated with Mount Bihula in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. He is also known in Tibetan as (1) Bé Chépa [sbye byed pa] (2) Bechepa (3) ['tsho byed gzhon nu] (4) ['tsho byed] (5) [gso byed] (6) [sman pa'i rgyal po'i 'tsho byed]; and in Chinese as 戎博迦尊者 [Pinyin: róngbójiā zūnzhě; Romaji: jubaka sonja]
Gopaka refers one of the Sixteen Arhats who where requested by the Buddha to protect the Dharma for as long as beings are capable of benefitting from the teachings.—From birth his body was covered with ulcers and sores and he was in constant pain. His parents spared no expense to find a cure for him, but to no avail. One day he went to Jeta Grove, saw the Buddha teaching and bowed to him in wonder. Seeing his condition the Buddha explained the impermanence of all existence. Realizing the implications of this teaching he followed the life of a bhikshu, became ordained and attained realization. He realized his condition was due to causing another great pain in a previous life. He lives in a cave on Mt. Bihula with 1,400 arhats. Gopaka holds a book showing his dedication to the teachings and his resolve to help others; his blessing endows practitioners with knowledge of the arts and sciences, and imparts discriminating awareness, enabling them to teach the Dharma.
Gopaka is also known as (1) in Tibetan as Bé Chépa [sbed byed pa] (2) in Sanskrit as Jīvaka.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
India history and geography
Gopaka (गोपक) is the name of a Poet mentioned in the 13th century Saduktikarṇāmrita by Śrīdhara Dāsa (son of Vaṭu Dāsa) who was a chief over several districts (called a mahāmaṇḍalika).—The Sadukti-Karnamrita is a collection of miscellaneous verses by different authors and on various subjects, five verses being devoted to each subject. There are 446 poets identified (for example, Gopaka) some of which in the feminine gender (intended for females) while others are of Buddhist monks etc.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, 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
Pali-English dictionary
gopaka : (m.) a guardian; watch-man.
Gopaka, a guardian, watchman DA.I, 148; cp. khetta°. (Page 255)
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Sanskrit dictionary
Gopaka (गोपक).—name of a disciple of Buddha: Karmavibhaṅga (and Karmavibhaṅgopadeśa) 65.7. Perhaps the same as Pali āyasmā Gopako, Vin. i.300.5.
Gopaka (गोपक).—mfn.
(-kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) One who guards or protects. m.
(-kaḥ) 1. Myrrh. 2. The Superintendent of a district. E. kan added to the preceding.
1) Gopaka (गोपक):—[from go-pa] m. ([gana] yājakādi, [Gaṇaratna-mahodadhi 99 [Scholiast or Commentator]]) a cowherd, [Dhūrtanartaka]
2) [v.s. ...] ([from] gopaya) guardian (ifc.) See cīvara-
3) [v.s. ...] the superintendent of a district, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] myrrh, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Gopaka (गोपक):—(kaḥ) 1. m. Myrrh. a. Keeping.
[Sanskrit to German]
Gopaka (गोपक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Govaya.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Gupa.
Starts with: Gopaka-moggallana, Gopaka-sivali, Gopakadana, Gopakadevaputta, Gopakakula, Gopakamoggallana Sutta, Gopakanu, Gopakanya, Gopakanyaka, Gopakarkati, Gopakarkatika.
Full-text (+38): Bhandagopaka, Civaragopaka, Indagopaka, Harigopaka, Assagopaka, Khettagopaka, Kutigopaka, Indragopaka, Mangalahatthigopaka, Ajikagopaka, Gopika, Susanagopaka, Aramagopaka, Bandhanagaragopaka, Darugopaka, Gopakadevaputta, Gopakakula, Caragopaka, Cetiyagopaka, Dhammagopaka.
Relevant text
Search found 19 books and stories containing Gopaka, Gupa-nvu, Gupa-ṇvu; (plurals include: Gopakas, nvus, ṇvus). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Cidgaganacandrika (study) (by S. Mahalakshmi)
Verse 157 [Svaracatuṣṭaya governs Jagatkrama] < [Chapter 3 - Third Vimarśa]
Saura-purana (analytical study) (by Priyanku Chakraborty)
Part 3 - Buddhist elements mentioned in different Purāṇas < [Chapter 5 - Buddhism and the Saura-purāṇa]
Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
The Story of Deva Gopaka < [Chapter 39 - How the Āṭānāṭiya Paritta came to be Taught]
Part 2 - The Buddha’s Discourse to Sakka (Sakka Pañha Sutta) < [Chapter 39 - How the Āṭānāṭiya Paritta came to be Taught]
The Story of Magha, the Young Man of Macala Village < [Chapter 39 - How the Āṭānāṭiya Paritta came to be Taught]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 157 < [Volume 3 (1874)]
Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh (early history) (by Prakash Narayan)
Empirical Relevance of Vanna, Jati and Kula < [Chapter 4 - Social Process, Structures and Reformations]
Agriculture and Cattle-keeping < [Chapter 2 - Economic and Urban Processes]
Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka (by I. B. Horner)
The story of a eunuch < [1. Going forth (Pabbajjā)]
On when a robe becomes the Saṅgha’s < [8. Robes (Cīvara)]
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