Kurmi, Kūrmī: 9 definitions
Introduction:
Kurmi means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit, 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 Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Kūrmī (कूर्मी) is the name of a Ḍākinī who, together with the Vīra (hero) named Kūrma forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the Jalacakra, according to the 10th century Ḍākārṇava chapter 15. Accordingly, the jalacakra refers to one of the three divisions of the saṃbhoga-puṭa (‘enjoyment layer’), situated in the Herukamaṇḍala. The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs [viz., Kūrmī] and Vīras are white in color; the shapes of their faces are in accordance with their names; they have four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife..
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.
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Kurmi (कुर्मि) refers to “insects”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 31).—Accordingly, “[...] Thrown on the fire (agni), the body becomes ash (bhasman); devoured by insects (kurmi) it becomes dung (purīṣa); placed in the earth, it decays, decomposes, and becomes earth; put into the water, it swells up and decays or it is eaten by water-insects. Of all corpses (kuṇapa), that of man is the most impure: his impurities (aśucidharma) will be explained at length in reference to the nine concepts (navasaṃjñā). [...]”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Kūrmī (कूर्मी) is the wife of Brahmaruci, according , according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.2 [Rāvaṇa’s expedition of conquest] 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 Rāvaṇa said to Marutta: “There was a Brāhman, Brahmaruci, who was an ascetic. His wife, Kūrmī, became pregnant. One day some monks came there and one of them said: ‘It was, indeed, well done, that living in a house was abandoned from fear of worldly existence. How, pray, does living in a forest differ from living in a house, if you have relations with your wife again, your mind injured by sense-objects?’ Hearing that, Brahmaruci accepted the teaching of the Jinas and became a mendicant at once and Kūrmī became a laywoman next. [...]’”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Kūrmi (कूर्मि).—& kūrmin v. tuvikūrmi & tuvikūrmin.
1) Kūrmī (कूर्मी):—[from kūrma] f. a female tortoise
2) Kūrmi (कूर्मि):—and rmin See tuvi-k.
Kūrmi (कूर्मि):—und kūrmin (von 1. kar) in tuvi .
Kūrmi (कूर्मि):—und kūrmin in tuvi.
Kūrmī (कूर्मी) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Kummī.
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
Kūrmi (ಕೂರ್ಮಿ):—[noun] a female tortoise of Testudines order.
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: Kurmika, Kurmikai.
Full-text: Tuvikurmi, Kurma, Tsamiyar kurmi, Gyadar kurmi, Taurar kurmi, Kiriyar kurmi, Wawanputu kurmi, Kummi, Brahmaruci, Agni, Purisha, Bhasma, Ashucidharma, Asuci, Jalacakra, Arha, Kri, Kar.
Relevant text
Search found 22 books and stories containing Kurmi, Kūrmī, Kūrmi; (plurals include: Kurmis, Kūrmīs, Kūrmis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Part 11: Nārada’s birth < [Chapter II - Rāvaṇa’s expedition of Conquest]
Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study) (by A. Yamuna Devi)
Fauna (7): Aquatic Animals < [Chapter 5 - Aspects of Nature]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Advances in jackfruit seed starch for drug delivery applications. < [2020: Volume 9, September issue 10]
Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of Detarium microcarpum. < [2021: Volume 10, May issue 5]
Indigenous medicinal uses of shrubs in western Parsa, Nepal. < [2021: Volume 10, February issue 2]
Paumacariya (critical study) (by K. R. Chandra)
3. The birth of Narada < [Chapter 4 - Intervening Stories]
2. Castes: Origin, Duties, Occupation and Position < [Chapter 7 - Social Conditions]
Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story) (by Somadeva)