Hemapura, Hema-pura: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Hemapura means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 Hinduism
Kavya (poetry)
Source: Wisdom Library: KathāsaritsāgaraHemapura (हेमपुर) is the name of an ancient city filled with wooden mechanical constructions, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 43. Accordingly: “and in course of time he [Naravāhanadatta] reached a city [Hemapura] of vast extent on the shore of the sea, furnished with lofty mansions resembling the peaks of mountains, with streets and arches, adorned with a palace all golden like Mount Meru, looking like a second Earth. He entered that city by the market street, and beheld that all the population, merchants, women and citizens, were wooden automata, that moved as if they were alive, but were recognised as lifeless by their want of speech”.
And further, after reaching the king’s palace in Hemapura: “and in due course he arrived with Gomukha near the king’s palace, and saw that all the horses and elephants there were of the same material; and with his minister he entered, full of wonder, that palace, which was resplendent with seven ranges of golden buildings. There he saw a majestic man sitting on a jewelled throne, surrounded by warders and women who were also wooden automata, the only living being there, who produced motion in those dull material things, like the soul presiding over the senses”.
The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Hemapura, 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’.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationHemapura (हेमपुर) refers to the “golden city” (of Tārakākṣa), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.1 (“Description of Tripura—the three cities”).—Accordingly, as the sons of Tāraka-Asura said to Brahmā: “[...] O Preceptor of the universe, Lord of the worlds, by your grace we shall move about on the earth occupying these cities. Tārakākṣa then said—‘Let Viśvakarmā make a city which cannot be broken even by the gods. Let that golden city (hemapura) be mine [tanmama hemamayaṃ puram]’. Kamalākṣa requested for a great silver city. The delighted Vidyunmālī requested for a steel-set magnetic city. [...]”.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Ends with: Kshemapura.
Full-text: Rajyadhara, Dundubhi, Mayavin, Mandodari.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Hemapura, Hema-pura; (plurals include: Hemapuras, puras). 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)
Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story) (by Somadeva)