Hairanyavata, Hairaṇyavata: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Hairanyavata 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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

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

Hairaṇyavata (हैरण्यवत).—One of the seven regions (kṣetra) of Jambūdvīpa according to Jaina cosmology. Jambūdvīpa sits at the centre of madhyaloka (‘middle world’) is the most important of all continents and it is here where human beings reside. In Hairaṇyavata flows the twin rivers Suvarṇakūlā and Rūpyakūlā.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Hairaṇyavata (हैरण्यवत) (or Hairaṇyavatakṣetra, Hairaṇyavatavarṣa) refers to one of the seven zones of Jambūdvīpa which is situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), according to chapter 2.2 [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:—“Now, there are 7 zones here in Jambūdvīpa: Bhārata, Haimavata, Harivarṣa, Videha, Ramyaka, Hairaṇyavata, and Airāvata from south to north. Making the division between these there are 7 mountain-ranges, bounding the zones: Himavat, Mahāhimavat, Niṣadha, Nīla, Rukmin, and Śikharin with equal diameter at the base and top. [...] In the zone named Hairaṇyavata there are the great rivers, Svarṇakūlā and Rūpyakūlā; [...] The first of each pair flows to the east and the second to the west. [...]”.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 3: The Lower and middle worlds

Hairaṇyavata (हैरण्यवत) or Hairaṇyavatavarṣa refers to a region of Jambūdvīpa: the first continent of the Madhya-loka (middle-word), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 3.10. Hiraṇya in Hindi means gold or golden. Due to the fact that this region is in close proximity to the Rukmi Mount which have a golden hue, this region has been given the name Hairaṇyavatakṣetra. The mountain chain Rukmi separates Ramyaka and Hairaṇyavata regions. The mountain chain Śikhari separates the Hairaṇyavata and Airāvata regions. Suvarṇakūlā and Rūpyakūlā rivers divide Hairaṇyavata-kṣetra.

The five Hairaṇyavata regions in which human beings live have a happy-misery period (3rd time period) always. There the inhabitants have a life span of one palya, height of their bodies is 2000 bows, they take food once on alternate days, and their bodies are of blue colour (like blue lotus) which is similar to the Haimvata regions in the north.

Jambūdvīpa (containing the Hairaṇyavata region) is in the centre of all continents and oceans; all continents and oceans are concentric circles with Jambūdvīpa in the centre. Like the navel is in the centre of the body, Jambūdvīpa is in the centre of all continents and oceans. Sumeru Mount is in the centre of Jambūdvīpa. It is also called Mount Sudarśana.

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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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