Jatasura, Jaṭāsura: 9 definitions

Introduction:

Jatasura 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

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: ISKCON Press: Glossary

Jaṭāsura (जटासुर).—A Rākṣasa who disguised himself as a brāhmaṇa and tried to kidnap Draupadī and four of the Pāṇḍavas except for Bhīma. Bhīma challenged him and killed him in single combat.

Vaishnavism book cover
context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Discover the meaning of jatasura in the context of Vaishnavism from relevant books on Exotic India

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Jatasura in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

1) Jaṭāsura (जटासुर).—A King, who was a member of Dharmaputra’s assembly. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 4, Verse 24).

2) Jaṭāsura (जटासुर).—A Rākṣasa, Jaṭāsura, disguised as a brahmin lived with the Pāṇḍavas in the forest. His aim was to carry off Pāñcālī and the arrows of the Pāṇḍavas as and when he got an opportunity for it. One day taking advantage of Arjuna’s absence Bhīma was out ahunting) Jaṭāsura caught hold of the others as also the arrows and ran away with them. Sahadeva alone managed to slip away from his clutches. Dharmaputra pledged his word that Jaṭāsura would be killed before the sunset. Hearing all the hubbub (Bhīma hurried to the scene, killed the Asura and saved his brothers and Pāñcālī from difficulties and danger. (Vana Parva, Chapter 157).

3) Jaṭāsura (जटासुर).—This Jaṭāsura had a son called Alambuṣa who was killed by Ghaṭotkaca in the great war. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 174).

Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Jaṭāsura (जटासुर) refers to the name of a Tīrtha (pilgrim’s destination) mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. III.154.4, III.154.60, IV.20.30). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Jaṭāsura) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Purana book cover
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.

Discover the meaning of jatasura in the context of Purana from relevant books on Exotic India

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Jaṭāsura (जटासुर) refers to a country belonging to “Aiśānī (north-eastern division)” classified under the constellations of Revatī, Aśvinī and Bharaṇī, according to the system of Kūrmavibhāga, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 14), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “The countries of the Earth beginning from the centre of Bhāratavarṣa and going round the east, south-east, south, etc., are divided into 9 divisions corresponding to the 27 lunar asterisms at the rate of 3 for each division and beginning from Kṛttikā. The constellations of Revatī, Aśvinī and Bharaṇī represent the north-eastern consisting of [i.e., Jaṭāsura] [...]”.

Jyotisha book cover
context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Discover the meaning of jatasura in the context of Jyotisha from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Apam Napat: Indian Mythology

When the Pandavas went into exile after Yudhishtra lost the game of dice for the second time, many Brahmanas accompanied them. An Asura named Jatasura, who coveted Draupadi, disguised himself as a Brahmana and remained concealed among the retinue of the Pandavas, biding his time.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Jaṭāsura (जटासुर):—[from jaṭā > jaṭa] m. (ṭās) Name of a Rakṣas (killed by Bhīma-sena), [Mahābhārata iii, vii, xiv]

2) [=jaṭā-sura] [from jaṭāsura > jaṭā > jaṭa] [plural] Name of a people in the north-east of Madhyadeśa, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā xiv, 30.]

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

Jaṭāsura (जटासुर) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Jaḍāsura.

[Sanskrit to German]

Jatasura in German

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.

Discover the meaning of jatasura in the context of Sanskrit from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: