King: 13 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
2. Tibetan Buddhism
In Jainism
1. General definition
India history
See also
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Introduction:

King means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity, 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.

Images (photo gallery)

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In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (natya)

1) Kings (in Indian dramas) should be presented as “firm, brave and sportive”, as dictated by the Dhīroddhata classification of Heroes (nāyaka), according to 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.—In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, it is narrated that Kings should be dhīralalita i.e., firm, brave and sportive.

2) Kings and various other characters (in Indian Dramas) were commonly mustached and bearded, as conveyed through the Aṅgaracanā division of Āhāryābhinaya: one of the four divisions of Abhinaya or “ways to convey or represent one’s emotion to others”, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra and the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa.—The Nāṭyaśāstra says that after painting the face and other limbs the characters are provided with beard according to their territory, profession and spiritual rites. According to Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, the kings, ascetics, ministers, priests, judges, lovers etc. should be mustached and bearded and the colour of their beard should be white except those of the kings and lovers. All these are the important points in a theatrical performance to project the concerned character in a clear and conspicuous way.

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

The King (of all Yogas) is denoted by the Sanskrit term Rāja-Yoga, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Vāmadeva: “The preliminary [Yoga] is furnished with external Mudrās and [thus,] it is regarded as an external Yoga. [Whereas] the other [Yoga] is richly endowed with an internal Mudrā [and] for that reason, it alone is the internal Yoga. The [internal yoga] is called Rājayoga. O chief of sages, it alone is known as Rājayoga because it is the king of all Yogas (rājayoga). [...]”.

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Journal of South Asian Intellectual History: Samarasiṃha and the Early Transmission of Tājika Astrology

King refers to one the “thirty-two astrological lots” (sahamas), as discussed in the fourth chapter of the Karmaprakāśa—one of the earliest preserved Sanskrit works on Perso-Arabic (Tājika) astrology authored by Samarasiṃha in the 13th century.—The so-called lots (Sanskrit: sahamas; Arabic: sahm, translating κλῆρος) are derived by measuring the longitudinal distance between two predefined points in a horoscope (typically two planets) and projecting it from a third point (typically the ascendant degree). Of these 32 lots [e.g., King], all but two are present in what has become the most widespread list of Tājika sahamas, compiled some three centuries later by Nīlakaṇṭha and comprising 50 items.

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.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (mahayana)

The King (in Sanskrit: Rāja, or Manuṣyarāja) is mentioned in the sixth chapter of the Suvarṇaprabhāsottamasūtra, a Buddhist Mahāyāna Sūtra which teaches the protection of the state for the mutual benefit of the Buddhist Sangha and the monarch.—Accordingly, Chapter six (caturmahārājaparivarta—“on the four great kings”), conveys an explicit message: those kings (manuṣya-rāja) who venerate the Suvarṇaprabhāsottama and support the Buddhist Sangha will be protected from hostile armies and other dangers by the Four Great Kings (caturmahā-rāja), and their countries will exist in highest state of harmony. Simultaneously, those who ignore this tradition will face decline. This Sūtra directly and repeatedly refers to monarchs, and throughout this chapter and the whole scripture it is obvious that kings are envisaged as the principal target audience. At one point the scripture calls itself a rāja-śāstra, a text for kings.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): (Tibetan Buddhism)

Kings (in Sanskrit: Rājāna) can be attracted/subdued by one having the Siddhi (power) of Speech, according to verse 14.24bd-27 of the Laghuśaṃvara, an ancient Buddhist Yoginī Tantra.—Accordingly: “The Sādhaka [who has] the Siddhi of speech can certainly attract a king (rājāna) or queen by [merely] thinking [it]. He quickly controls gods, demons and men. When angry, he can kill with his speech and drive away his adversary. The practitioner can thus effect a curse with his speech [...]”.

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

The King represents the “punisher of those transgressing boundaries”, according to chapter 1.2 [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, “[...] together the twins approached Ṛṣabhanātha, and told him all the sin that was being committed. Possessing the three kinds of knowledge, recalling (former) births, the Master said, ‘A king will be the punisher of those transgressing boundaries. Seated on a very high throne, consecrated first, having at hand the fourfold army, he should have unbroken commands’. They said, ‘Be our king. Why do you neglect us? No one else like you is seen among us’ [...]”.

context information

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

Source: Shodhganga: Vernacular architecture of Assam with special reference to Brahmaputra Valley

King is a Tai Khamti term referring to “3-legged hearth”.—It appears in the study dealing with the vernacular architecture (local building construction) of Assam whose rich tradition is backed by the numerous communities and traditional cultures.

Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha (history)

Kings were commonly depicted on the Saṃsāracakra paintings (representing scenes of human life), in ancient India, as mentioned in the Kathās (narrative poems) such as Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—Page 185.21 f.: Here follows a description of a printed scroll illustrating the Jaina conception of saṃsāracakra. [...] The saṃsāra-cakra illustrated the three worlds of hell, human world and the world of gods. [For example:] A king seated on his throne and surrounded by his feudatories and feeding on five mouthfuls of food offered in a leafy cup by a woman.

context information

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.

Relevant text

Search found 577 books and stories containing King, Kings, The king; (plurals include: Kings, Kingses, The kings). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Chapter 22 - On Sudarśana’s marriage < [Book 3]

Chapter 20 - On the Svayamvara hall and the kings conversation there < [Book 3]

Chapter 23 - On the killing of the enemy of Sudarśana in the great war < [Book 3]

+ 238 more chapters / show preview

Chapter 51 - Kaishika Worships Krishna < [Book 2 - Vishnu Parva]

Chapter 53 - Jarasandha’s Proposal to Invite Kalayavana < [Book 2 - Vishnu Parva]

Chapter 35 - Jarasandha’s Army < [Book 2 - Vishnu Parva]

+ 203 more chapters / show preview

Canto 13 - The Brahmin Reaches Dvarika

Part 4 - Story of the Jarasandhavadha Mahakavyam < [Critical Introduction]

Part 5 - Canto-wise Summary (of the Jarasandhavadha Mahakavyam) < [Critical Introduction]

+ 21 more chapters / show preview