In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Gostūpa (गोस्तूप) is the name of a big square lotus-lake situated in the vicinity of the four Añjana mountains, according to Jain cosmology. Within these sixten lakes are crystal Dadhimukha mountains and between each two lakes are two Ratikara mountains, each mountain having their own Śāśvatajinālaya (“eternal temple”).

The Añjana-mountains (and lakes such as Gostūpa) are situated in the southern direction of the central part of Nandīśvaradvīpa, which is one of the continents (dvīpa) of the middle-world (madhyaloka) and is mentioned in ancient Jaina canonical texts dealing with cosmology and geography of the universe. Examples of such texts are the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition or the Tiloyapannatti and the Trilokasāra in the Digambara tradition.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

1) Gostūpa (गोस्तूप) refers to a mountain of the Indras of the Velādhārins in the Lavaṇoda ocean surrounding Jambūdvīpa which is situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), according to chapter 2.3 [ajitanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly:—“Next, surrounding Jambūdvīpa, and twice as wide, is the ocean named Lavaṇoda. [...] Gostūpa, Udakābhāsa, Śaṅkha, Udakasīmaka, made of gold, aṅka, silver, and crystal are the mountains of the Indras of the Velādhārins. They are the abodes of the gods Gostūpa, Śivaka, Śaṅkha, and Manohṛda; and are in the (four) directions at 42,000 yojanas (from Jambūdvīpa). They are 1721 yojanas high; 1022 yojanas wide at the base, and 424 at the top. On top of them all there are gleaming palaces”.

2) Gostūpa (गोस्तूप) refers to one of the lotus-lakes situated near the four Añjana mountains, which are situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), according to chapter 2.3.—Accordingly, “In the four directions from each of the Añjana Mountains there are lotus-lakes, 100,000 yojanas square: [e.g., Gostūpā, ...]. At a distance of 500 yojanas from each of them there are great gardens, 500 yojanas wide and 100,000 long, [...]. Within the lotus-lakes are the crystal Dadhimukha Mountains, [...] Between each two lotus-lakes there are 2 Ratikara Mountains so there are 32 Ratikara Mountains. On the Dadhimukha Mountains and on the Ratikara Mountains, there are eternal shrines of the Arhats, just as on the Añjana Mountains. [...]”.

3) Gostūpā (गोस्तूप) refers to one of the 32 mountains between the lotus-lakes situated near the four Añjana mountains, which are situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), according to chapter 2.3.—Accordingly, “[...] In them (i.e., the 32 Ratikara Mountains, e.g., Gostūpā) the gods with all their splendor together with their retinues make eight-day festivals in the shrines on the holy days of the holy Arhats”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Gostūpa (गोस्तूप) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Gothubha, Gothūbha, Gothūbhā.

context information

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)

Full-text: Gothubha, Veladharin, Udakasimaka, Udakabhasa, Shankha.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Gostupa, Gostūpa, Gostūpā; (plurals include: Gostupas, Gostūpas, Gostūpās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Part 24: Description of Lavaṇoda < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]

Part 31: Description of Nandīśvara < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]

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