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)
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.
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’).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
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).
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.
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
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 (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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
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
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.]
Jaṭāsura (जटासुर):—(jaṭā + asura) m.
1) Nomen proprium eines von Bhīmasena getödteten Rakṣas [Mahābhārata 3, 11455. fgg. 7, 7848. 7850. 14, 324.] —
2) pl. Nomen proprium eines nordöstlich von Madhyadeśa wohnenden Volkes [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 14, 30.]
Jaṭāsura (जटासुर):—m. Nomen proprium —
1) eines Rakṣas. —
2) Pl. eines Volkes.
Jaṭāsura (जटासुर) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Jaḍāsura.
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)
Starts with: Jatasuraparva.
Full-text: Jatasuri, Jatasuraparva, Jadasura, Alambala, Alambusha.
Relevant text
Search found 7 books and stories containing Jatasura, Jaṭāsura, Jata-sura, Jaṭā-sura; (plurals include: Jatasuras, Jaṭāsuras, suras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
List of Mahabharata people and places (by Laxman Burdak)
List of Mahabharata tribes (by Laxman Burdak)
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section CLXXIV < [Ghatotkacha-badha Parva]
Section CLVI < [Tirtha-yatra Parva]
Section XII < [Ashvamedhika Parva]
Chapter 4 - Bhima Meets Hanuman and Kills Jatasura < [Vana Parva]
Chapter 5 - The Return of Arjuna and the Evil Plan of Duryodhana < [Vana Parva]
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Mahabharata (English Summary) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section CLVI - Battle between Bhima and the Rakshasa Jatasura: Full Summary < [Tirtha-yatra Parva]