The Sanskrit term Laṅkeśa can be transliterated into English as Lankesa or Lankesha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Laṅkeśa (लङ्केश) is another name for Rāvaṇa: the eighth Prativāsudeva according to both Śvetāmbara and Digambara sources. He is also known as Daśamukha. Jain legends describe nine such Prativāsudevas (anti-heroes) usually appearing as powerful but evil antagonists instigating Vāsudeva by subjugating large portions of Bharata-land. As such, they are closely related with the twin brothers known as the Vāsudevas (“violent heroes”) and the Baladevas (“gentle heroes”).

According to the Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacarita 7.1, the mother of Rāvaṇa (or Laṅkeśa) is named Ratnaśravas and his mother Kaikasī. Rāvaṇa has two elder brothers named Bhānukarṇa (or Kumbhakarṇa) and Bibhīṣaṇa, and a sister named Candraṇakhā (or Śūrpaṇakhā).

The Prativāsudevas (such as Laṅkeśa) fight against the twin-heroes with their cakra-weapon but at the final moment are killed by the Vāsudevas. Their stories are narrated in the Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacarita (“the lives of the sixty-three illustrious persons”), a twelfth-century Śvetāmbara work by Hemacandra.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Laṅkeśa (लङ्केश) refers to one of the nine Prativāsudevas (enemies of Vāsudevas), according to chapter 1.6 [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: “[...] Aśvagrīva, Tāraka, Meraka, Madhu, Niśumbha, Bali, Pralhāda (Prahlāda), Laṅkeśa, Magadheśvara, rivals of the Vāsudevas, all fighting with the cakra, will perish from their own cakras which have gone to the hands of the Vāsudevas”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Laṅkeśa (लङ्केश).—'lord of Laṅkā; i. e. Rāvaṇa or Bibhīṣaṇa लङ्कानाथं पवनतनयं चोभयं स्थापयित्वा कीर्तिस्तम्भद्वयमिव गिरौ दक्षिणे चोत्तरे च (laṅkānāthaṃ pavanatanayaṃ cobhayaṃ sthāpayitvā kīrtistambhadvayamiva girau dakṣiṇe cottare ca) R.15.13; लङ्केशसंपूजितपादपद्मः पायाद- नादिः परमेश्वरो नः (laṅkeśasaṃpūjitapādapadmaḥ pāyāda- nādiḥ parameśvaro naḥ).

Derivable forms: laṅkeśaḥ (लङ्केशः).

Laṅkeśa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms laṅkā and īśa (ईश). See also (synonyms): laṅkādhipa, laṅkādhipati, laṅkeśvara, laṅkānātha, laṅkāpati.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Laṅkeśa (लङ्केश).—m.

(-śaḥ) The Daitya king Ravana. E. laṅkā the city Lanka, īśa sovereign.

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

Laṅkeśa (लङ्केश):—[from laṅkā > laṅka] m. Name of Rāvaṇa, [Harivaṃśa; Raghuvaṃśa]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Laṅkeśa (लङ्केश):—[laṅke+śa] (śaḥ) 1. m. Rāvana.

context information

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)

Partial matches: Isha, Lanka.

Starts with: Lankeshavanariketu.

Ends with: Kalankesha.

Full-text (+1): Ilankecan, Lankeshavanariketu, Lankanatha, Lankapati, Lankeshvara, Ratnashravas, Kaikasi, Lankadhipa, Lankadhipati, Nishumbha, Meraka, Ravana, Taraka, Magadheshvara, Pralhada, Prativasudeva, Dashamukha, Prahlada, Bali, Madhu.

Relevant text

Search found 3 books and stories containing Lankesha, Laṅkeśa, Lankesa, Lanka-isha, Laṅkā-īśa, Lanka-isa; (plurals include: Lankeshas, Laṅkeśas, Lankesas, ishas, īśas, isas). 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: The future Prativāsudevas < [Chapter VI]

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Hanuman Nataka (critical study) (by Nurima Yeasmin)

9.10. The character of Mandodarī < [Chapter 4]

11. Use of Prākṛta < [Chapter 4]

Hanuman-Nāṭaka, Act 14 (Summary) < [Chapter 3]

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Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)

Section XXXIX < [Goharana Parva]

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