Kevalajnana, Kevalajñāna, Kevala-jnana: 10 definitions

Introduction:

Kevalajnana means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India. 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

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Kevalajnana in Shaivism glossary
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Kevalajñāna (केवलज्ञान) is a synonym for the Pāśupata teaching, according to the Halāyudhastotra verse 3.—Accordingly, “Victorious is the One God, Śiva, the embodiment of the Kevalajñāna [i.e., kevalajñānamūrti]”.

Shaivism book cover
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Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

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In Jainism

Jain philosophy

Source: archive.org: Anekanta Jaya Pataka of Haribhadra Suri

Kevalajñāna (केवलज्ञान) refers to “omniscience” (Cf. Paramajñāna—“the highest type of differentiated knowledge”, as mentioned in the Anekāntajayapatākā-prakaraṇa, a Śvetāmbara Jain philosophical work written by Haribhadra Sūri.—[Cf. Vol. II, P. 220, l. 3]

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General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Kevalajnana in Jainism glossary
Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Kevalajñāna (केवलज्ञान) or simply Kevala refers to one of the five types of “right-knowledge” (samyagjñāna), as mentioned in chapter 1.3 [ādīśvara-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, as mentioned in Ṛṣabha’s sermon:

“[...] mokṣa is attained by those who practice unceasingly the brilliant triad of knowledge, faith, and conduct. Among these, exact knowledge which comes from a summary or detailed study of the principles, jīva, etc., is called ‘right-knowledge’ (samyagjñāna). [...] Kevalajñāna has as its sphere all substances and their modifications, perceives every thing, is infinite, one (i.e., undivided), and beyond the pale of the sense-organs”.

Source: JAINpedia: Jainism

Kevalajñāna (केवलज्ञान) in Sanskrit (Kevalanāṇa in Prakrit) is another name for Kevala, which refers to “omniscience” and represents one of the five types of knowledge, as explained in the Nandīsūtra.—The heart of the Nandī-sūtra deals with the concept of cognition or knowledge in its various divisions and subdivisions. This is also an appropriate topic for a text that transcends all categories in the Śvetāmbara canon, for it can be regarded as a prerequisite to the scriptures. First comes the list of the five types of knowledge [viz., kevalajñāna, “omniscience”], known from other sources as well, such as the Tattvārtha-sūtra I. 9-33

Source: OpenEdition books: Vividhatīrthakalpaḥ

Kevalajñāna (केवलज्ञान) refers to “omniscience” (i.e., one of the five great events in the biography of a Jina), and represents a Jaina technical term mentioned in the Vividhatīrthakalpa by Jinaprabhasūri (13th century A.D.): an ancient text devoted to various Jaina holy places (tīrthas).—(Schubring 1935 § 73).

Source: WikiPedia: Jainism

Kevalajñāna (केवलज्ञान) or Kevalajñānakalyāṇaka refers to the event “when a Tīrthaṅkara attains kevalajñāna (absolute knowledge)”. it represents one of the “five chief auspicious events” (pañca-kalyāṇaka) that occur in the life of Tīrthaṅkara in Jainism. During this kēvalajñāna-kalyāṇaka event a divine samavasaraṇa (preaching hall) appears, from where the Tīrthaṅkara delivers sermons and restores the Jain community and teachings. These events are commemorated as part of many Jain rituals and festivals. When a new Jain Temple is erected, these Five Auspicious Life Events [e.g., kevalajñāna-kalyāṇaka] are celebrated known as pañca-kalyāṇaka-pratiṣṭhā-mahotsava.

General definition book cover
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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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India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Kevala-jñāna.—(HA), Jain; omniscience; a technical term for the highest knowledge; the Jain doctrine of unity (IA 18). Note: kevala-jñāna is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

India history book cover
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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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Kevalajnana in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Kevalajñāna (केवलज्ञान).—the highest possible knowledge, (Jaina Phil.).

Derivable forms: kevalajñānam (केवलज्ञानम्).

Kevalajñāna is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms kevala and jñāna (ज्ञान).

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Kevalajñāna (केवलज्ञान).—highest Knowledge; जयन्ति ते जिना येषां केवलज्ञानशालिनाम् (jayanti te jinā yeṣāṃ kevalajñānaśālinām) Pañcatantra (Bombay) 5.12.

Derivable forms: kevalajñānam (केवलज्ञानम्).

Kevalajñāna is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms kevala and jñāna (ज्ञान).

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

Kevalajñāna (केवलज्ञान):—[=kevala-jñāna] [from kevala] n. the highest possible knowledge, [Jaina literature]

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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.

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Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Kevalajnana in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Kēvalajñāna (ಕೇವಲಜ್ಞಾನ):—[noun] (phil.) the Supreme Knowledge.

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Kēvaḷajñāna (ಕೇವಳಜ್ಞಾನ):—[noun] = ಕೇವಲಜ್ಞಾನ [kevalajnana].

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Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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