Kaustubha: 28 definitions
Introduction:
Kaustubha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. 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
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ, “crest jewel”):—One of the nine symbols representing the cosmic principles of the universe, according to the Pāñcarātra literature. These nine weapons and ornaments symbolize the principles which they represent as the presiding deity. The chest jewel (kaustubha) represent the Jīvas (‘individual living beings’).
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) or Kaustubhamudrā is the name of a mudrā described in the Īśvarasaṃhitā 24.25-27.—Accordingly, “O brahmin! the middle, ring and little fingers are to (be bent) so as to each the middle of the palm like fists. There will be two fists in the two hands (when they are joined together). The two index fingers are to be joined together with the slit being the same and stretched. Then the tip shall be joined with the tip of the thumb, in between the index fingers on a mutual basis.”. Mūdra (eg., Kaustubha-mudrā) is so called as it gives joy to the tattvas in the form of karman for those who offer spotless worship, drive out the defects which move about within and without and sealing up of what is done.
1a) Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) refers to the “jewel”—one of Viṣṇu’s ornaments, as discussed in chapter 31 (Caryāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [vighnarājotpatti-kirīṭādi-mantroddhāra]: Brahmā asks to know the origin of Vighnarāja, and Bhagavān tells him the story of Pradyumna’s anger which gave rise to the elephant-headed Gaṇapati whose purpose was always to fight on the side of the gods (1-10a). Then He (Bhagavān) turns to answer the questions put to Him about the mantras to Viṣṇu’s ornaments, etc., [e.g., to the kaustubha-jewel (35-43a)] [...]
1b) Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) or “chest-jewel” refers to one of the various ornaments and weapons of Viṣṇu to be contemplated upon, as discussed in chapter 13 of the Sāttvatasaṃhitā: one of the most ancient of Pāñcarātra Āgamas consisting of roughly 3500 verses which stresses the theological standpoint of the oneness of God despite his various vyūhas (modes of existence), vibhavas (manifestations) and avatāras (incarnations).—Description of the chapter [astra-bhūṣaṇa-devatā-dhyāna-vidhi]: Although generally speaking the gods have four arms, four faces, many ornaments, yet when they are worshipped they are to be imagined with only two arms, one head, etc. (1-2). Bhagavān says Viṣṇu has the following ornaments, and the descriptions are given as if the items are personified: [e.g., kaustubha-chest-jewel (5a)] [...] It is said that they are to be contemplated standing beside the Lord, with one hand on the hip, the other hand by some in waving a fly-whisk and by others in brandishing a warning finger. Some of the above are also identified with cosmic entities—sun, moon, death, etc. (26-34).
2a) Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) or Kaustubhamudrā is the name of a Mudrā (“ritual hand-gestures”), discussed in the twenty-fourth chapter of the Īśvarasaṃhitā (printed edition), a Pāñcarātra work in 8200 verses and 24 chapters dealing with topics such as routines of temple worship, major and minor festivals, temple-building and initiation.—Description of the chapter [mudrā-lakṣaṇa-bhagavaddhyāna-ādi-prakāra]: Nārada tells how one prepares himself for the practice of mudrā-gestures—washing the hands with sandal-paste, doing certain exercises with the fingers, ritually touching the chest with the thumbs and forefingers of both hands, executing certain motions with the palms joined, etc. (3-11). Different mudrā-gestures are named and described (12-72): [e.g., kaustubha (27b)] [...]
2b) Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) or Kaustubhamudrā refers to one of the 37 Mudrās (hand-gestures) described in chapter 7 of the Viṣṇusaṃhitā: a Sanskrit text written in 2600 verses which covers typical Pāñcarātra topics through a narrative dialogue between Aupagāyana and Siddha Sumati.—[Cf. the chapter mudrā-lakṣaṇa].
Chest Jewel (kaustubha):—Upon the chest of Lord Vishnu there is a priceless gem called kaustubha which means treasure-of-the-ocean.
yena sūryāgni vāk candra tejas āsvasvarūpiṇā |
vartate kaustubhākhyaṃ taṃ pravadantīśamāninaḥ ||That by which the Sun, fire, speech and moon shine in their particular forms That is the form of consciousness known as the gem Kaustubha. (G.u.t.Up 54.)
ātmānamasya jagato nirlepamaguṇāmalam |
bibhartti kaustubhamaṇi svarūpaṃ bhagavān hariḥ ||The Glorious Hari wears the pure soul of the world, immaculate and free of negative qualities as the Kaustubha gem. (V.P. 1;22;67.)
kaustubha avyapadeśena svātmajyotir bibharyajaḥ |
What He wears as the jewel Kaustubha is the pure Jiva-consciousness. (S.B. 12.11.10)
This total consciousness which is the “World-Soul” known in Vedānta as hiraṇyagarbha (golden matrix) pure, subtle and unstained is the chest-jewel named Kaustubha. This gem is comprised of the totality of the consciousness of all living beings, born from the causal ocean, and it is the enjoyer of material creation.
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ).—A brilliant precious stone. It is mentioned in Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 3; Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa Bālakāṇḍa Sarga 45, Stanza 39 and Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva that this precious stone floated up at the time of the churning of the sea of Milk. This jewel which originated from the ghee in the sea of Milk, was worn on the breast by Viṣṇu. "This divine jewel called Kaustubha came up in the middle of ghee and stayed in the breast of Viṣṇu, spreading its rays everywhere." (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 18, Stanza 37).
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ).—Of Hari;1 the festival that came out of the churning of the milk ocean.2
- 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa II. 2. 10; VIII. 4. 19; X. 3. 9; XI. 14. 40; 27. 27; XII. 11. 10.
- 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 9. 73; Matsya-purāṇa 250. 4; 251. 3.
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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Kaustubha (“stone”) refers to one of the several “attributes” (āyudha) or “accessories” of a detiy commonly seen depicted in Hindu iconography, defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—The śilpa texts have classified the various accessories under the broad heading of āyudha or karuvi (implement), including even flowers, animals, and musical instruments. The other miscellaneous articles found as attributes in the hands of the deities are, for example, Kaustubha.
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) refers to a type of “ornament” (bhūṣaṇa), as defined in treatises such as the Pāñcarātra, Pādmasaṃhitā and Vaikhānasa-āgamas, extensively dealing with the technical features of temple art, iconography and architecture in Vaishnavism.—Kaustubha, also known as kaustubhamaṇi, is a very special jewel characterized by the five gems (pearl, emerald, sapphire, ruby and diamond) probably representing the five gross elements or Pañcamahābhūtas (earth, water, fire, air, ether). According to the myth of Samudramanchana, Kaustubha emerged during the churning of the milk ocean and was worn by Viṣṇu, becoming thereafter an essential symbol associated to his icon. In some icons, it is represented as an ornament with five gems, which is worn either as a pendant, hanging on a graiveyaka, or as a special feature adorning the long Vanamālā of Viṣṇu.
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) refers to a kind of Gem which associated with Viṣṇu, whose iconography is described in the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—According to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa as well as the Bṛhatsaṃhitā, the image of Viṣṇu should be adorned with kaustubha and a vanamālā. Kaustubha is a kind of celebrated gem which is obtained with thirteen other jewels during the churning of ocean. In the Garuḍapurāṇa, the image of Viṣṇu is prescribed as adorned with kaustubha and vanamālā. In the Raghuvaṃśa of Kālidāsa also, we find the reference of Kṛṣṇa’s use of kaustubha. Thus it is clear that the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa offers a great field of knowledge regarding the nuances of Indian art of Image making [e.g., the kaustubha gem] during 10th–11th century A.D.
Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) refers to:—The gem worn on the chest of Viṣṇu. (cf. Glossary page from Arcana-dīpikā).
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) refers to:—A prominent jewel on the chest of the Lord. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).
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’).
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
1) Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) refers to a type of jewel, and is used to visualize Bhairava, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “He has eight faces and, very powerful, shines like a white lotus. He is mightily proud and has sharp teeth and great body. He is terrible and fierce and his face is deformed. O Śambhu, he has twenty arms and the goddess sits on his lap. He holds a sword, mallet and noose, a double-headed drum, a dagger, the Kaustubha jewel, a rosary, a skull bowl full of fruit and the like and a piece of human flesh. [...]”.
2) Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) refers to one of the eight Heroes (nāyaka-aṣṭaka) associated with Candrapīṭha (or Candrapīṭhapura), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra.—[...] The eight Heroes (nāyakāṣṭaka): Vibhūti, Varavīreśa, Sarvajñakamala, Kāmeśa, Kaustubha, Kāmārta, Tripurāntaka, Anaṅga.
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) is a Sanskrit word referring to a jewel worn by Lord Viṣṇu, or Kṛṣṇa, on His chest.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) refers to a jewel and represents one of the nine gifts of the Gods given to Tripṛṣṭha, according to chapter 4.1 [śreyāṃsanātha-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:—“[...] The Vidyādharas, Jvalanajaṭin and others, mounted their chariots like lions a mountain-plateau. Then drawn by merit, the Gods gave Tripṛṣṭha a divine bow named Śārṅga, a club Kaumodakī, a conch Pāñcajanya, and a jewel named Kaustubha, a sword Nandaka, and a garland Vanamālā. They gave Balabhadra a plough named Saṃvartaka, a pestle named Saumanda, and a club named Candrikā. [...]”.
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.
India history and geography
Kaustubha.—(CII 3, etc.), a jewel worn on the breast of Viṣṇu. Note: kaustubha is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
kaustubha (कौस्तुभ).—m S One of the fourteen precious things obtained from the ocean on churning it. The jewel of kṛṣṇa suspended on his breast.
kaustubha (कौस्तुभ).—m The jewel of kṛṣṇa suspended on his breast.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ).—[kustubho jaladhistatra bhavaḥ aṇ]
1) Name of a celebrated gem obtained with 13 other jewels at the churning of the ocean and worn by Viṣṇu on his breast; सकौस्तुभं ह्रेपयतीव कृष्णम् (sakaustubhaṃ hrepayatīva kṛṣṇam) R.6.49;1.1.
2) A kind of oil.
3) A manner of joining the fingers.
4) A twist of hair on a horse's neck; कौस्तुभः स्याद्देवमणौ कण्ठा- वर्तेऽपि वाजिनाम् (kaustubhaḥ syāddevamaṇau kaṇṭhā- varte'pi vājinām) Nm.
Derivable forms: kaustubhaḥ (कौस्तुभः).
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ).—m.
(-bhaḥ) The jewel of Krishna suspended on his breast. E. kustubha a name of Vishnu or Krishna, and aṇ aff.
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ).—i. e. ku-stubh + a, m. and n. A jewel worn by Viṣṇu, [Rāmāyaṇa] 1, 45, 39.
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ).—[masculine] [neuter] [Name] of a celebrated jewel, the ornament of Viṣṇu.
1) Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—in law, see Tattvakaustubha, Dānakaustubha, Nirṇayakaustubha, Rājakaustubha, Saṃskārakaustubha, Smṛtikaustubha.
2) Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ):—in vedānta and grammar, see Vedāntakaustubha, Śabdakaustubha.
1) Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ):—mn. (cf. kust), Name of a celebrated jewel (obtained with thirteen other precious things at the churning of the ocean and suspended on the breast of Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu), [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Rāmāyaṇa] etc.
2) m. a manner of joining the fingers, [Tantrasāra]
3) = kiṃtughna, [Atharva-veda; Jyotiṣa]
4) n. a kind of oil (sarṣapodbhava), [Kātyāyana-śrauta-sūtra i, 8, 37 [Scholiast or Commentator]]
5) Name of [work]
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ):—(bhaḥ) 1. m. The jewel of Krishna suspended on his breast.
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ):—
1) Name eines bei der Quirlung des Oceans zum Vorschein gekommenen Juwels, welchen Viṣṇu auf der Brust (am Halse) trägt; m. [Amarakoṣa 1, 1, 1, 24.] [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 1, 1, 42.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 223.] [Mahābhārata 1, 1147.] [Harivaṃśa 12187.] [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 6, 9, 28.] n.: maṇiratnaṃ ca kaustubham [Rāmāyaṇa 1, 45, 39. -] [Mahābhārata 3, 13563.] [Pañcatantra 44, 15.] [Raghuvaṃśa 6, 49. 10, 10.] [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 2, 2, 10. 3, 21, 11. 8, 8, 5.] kaustubhalakṣaṇa m. ein Beiname Viṣṇu’s [Wilson’s Wörterbuch] kaustubhavakṣas desgl. [Hārāvalī 9.] —
2) m. eine best. Fingerverbindung: anāmāṅguṣṭhasaṃlagnā dakṣiṇasya kaniṣṭhikā . kaniṣṭhayānyayā baddhā tarjanyā dakṣayā tathā .. vāmānāmāṃ ca badhnīyāddakṣiṇāṅguṣṭhamūlake . aṅguṣṭhamadhyame bhūyaḥ saṃyojya saralāḥ parāḥ .. catasro pyagrasaṃlagnā mudrā kaustubhasaṃjñikā . [Tantrasāra im Śabdakalpadruma] —
3) n. eine Art Oel (sarṣapodbhava) [Scholiast] zu [Kātyāyana’s Śrautasūtrāṇi 1, 8, 37.] —
4) Titel einer Schrift [Weber’s Verzeichniss No. 1403.] Vgl. śabdakaustubha . — Das Wort wird auf kustubha zurückgeführt.
--- OR ---
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ):—
1) maṇi [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 43, 3.] bhṛt Beiw. Viṣṇu’s [Spr. 3935.]
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ):——
1) m. n. ein best. bei der Quirlung des Oceans zum Vorschein gekommenes Juwel , ein Schmuck Viṣṇu's. —
2) m. eine best. Fingerverbindung. —
3) m. = kintughna [Jyotiṣa zum Av 4,6.5,1,15.] —
4) n. eine Art Oel. —
5) Titel eines Werkes.
Kaustubha (कौस्तुभ) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Kuḥthuha, Kotthubha, Kotthuha, Kothubha.
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Kaustubha (ಕೌಸ್ತುಭ):—
1) [noun] name of a celebrated gem worn by Viṣṇu on his chest.
2) [noun] a necklace inset with a gem used to adorn the idol of a deity with, in a temple.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Kaustubhabhrit, Kaustubhadhaman, Kaustubhadushana, Kaustubhadyuti, Kaustubhahridaya, Kaustubhalakshaka, Kaustubhalakshana, Kaustubhamani, Kaustubhamantra, Kaustubhamudra, Kaustubhavaksha, Kaustubhavakshas.
Full-text (+175): Kaustubhavakshas, Shabdakaustubha, Alamkarakaustubha, Namadheyapadakaustubha, Bhavarthakaustubha, Bhattakaustubha, Rajadharmakaustubha, Nyayakaustubha, Prayogakaustubha, Mitrakaustubha, Samskarakaustubha, Kaustubhalakshana, Kaustubhalakshaka, Pratishthakaustubha, Shringarakaustubha, Shabarakaustubha, Smritisamskarakaustubha, Kaustubhadushana, Purashcaranakaustubha, Suratoshaka.
Relevant text
Search found 106 books and stories containing Kaustubha; (plurals include: Kaustubhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 1.12.157 < [Chapter 12 - The Lord’s Wandering Throughout Navadvīpa]
Verse 3.9.232-233 < [Chapter 9 - The Glories of Advaita]
Verse 2.6.78 < [Chapter 6 - The Lord’s Meeting with Advaita Ācārya]
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 2.9.4 < [Chapter 9 - Brahmā’s Prayers]
Verse 2.7.26 < [Chapter 7 - Kidnapping of the Calves and Cowherd Boys]
Verses 5.13.12-14 < [Chapter 13 - The Arrival of Sri Uddhava]
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 10.240 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Text 10.178 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Text 7.86 < [Chapter 7 - Literary Faults]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Studies in Indian Literary History (by P. K. Gode)
21. A Rare Manuscript of Ramacandracandrodaya < [Volume 3 (1956)]
12. Shringara-kallola, a Love-poem by Rayabhatta < [Volume 2 (1954)]
40. Varadaraja, a Pupil of Bhattoji Diksita and his Works < [Volume 2 (1954)]
The Legend of the Churning of the Ocean (in the Epics and the Puranas) < [Purana, Volume 9, Part 1 (1967)]
Worship of the Sun < [Purana, Volume 12, Part 2 (1970)]
Vamana Legend—In the Vedas, Epics and Puranas < [Purana, Volume 12, Part 1 (1970)]
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