The Sanskrit term Guṇaśarman can be transliterated into English as Gunasarman or Gunasharman, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Guṇaśarman (गुणशर्मन्).—A character of the Purāṇas well versed in all arts and sciences. He was the son of the brahmin Ādityaśarman of Ujjayinī. The birth of Guṇaśarman bears a story. Once Ādityaśarman went to the forests and by his spiritual powers made Sulocanā, a celestial nymph, to merge with him. A son was born to them and he was named Guṇaśarman. Ādityaśarman became a deva. Even from boyhood he became very erudite. Once Indra came to see Ādityaśarman. Ādityaśarman who was in deep thoughts did not see Indra and so did not rise up when Indra came. Indra felt insulted and cursed him to be born again on Earth. Ādityaśarman prostrated before Indra and asked for pardon. Indra then said that it would be enough if his son was born on Earth in his stead. So Guṇaśarman was born on Earth to bear the curse of his father.

At that time Ujjayinī was being ruled over by a King called Mahāsena. He had a very beautiful wife named Aśokavatī. Guṇaśarman became gradually an intimate friend of the King. Knowing that Guṇaśarman was well versed in all arts the King and queen asked him to give them a performance in dancing. The dance was so excellent that the King engaged Guṇaśarman to teach dancing to Aśokavatī. (See full article at Story of Guṇaśarman from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

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.

Kavya (poetry)

Source: Wisdom Library: Kathāsaritsāgara

Guṇaśarman (गुणशर्मन्) is the name of a Brāhman and a friend of Mahāsena: an ancient king from Ujjayinī, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 49. Accordingly, as Vītabhīti narrated to Sūryaprabha “... then the God of wealth, being pleased, himself gave that Sulocanā to Ādityaśarman, according to a heavenly ritual. I was born as that Brāhman’s son by her, and I was named Guṇaśarman by my father on account of my good qualities. Then in that very place I learned in succession the Vedas, the sciences and the accomplishments, from a prince of the Yakṣas named Maṇidara (Maṇidhara)”.

The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Guṇaśarman, 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.

context information

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’.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Manidara, Patalavasati, Manidhara, Somaka, Svamikumara, Adityasharman, Agnidatta, Sundari.

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Search found 2 books and stories containing Gunasharman, Guṇaśarman, Gunasarman; (plurals include: Gunasharmans, Guṇaśarmans, Gunasarmans). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)

Story of Guṇaśarman

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Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story) (by Somadeva)

Chapter XLIX < [Book VIII - Sūryaprabha]

The significance of moles on the human body < [Notes]

Note on animals and omens < [Notes]

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