Mahatamahprabha, Mahātamaḥprabhā, Maha-tamahprabha: 6 definitions

Introduction:

Mahatamahprabha means something in 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 Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

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

Mahātamaḥprabhā (महातमःप्रभा) refers to the last of the seven earths of the “lower world” (adhaloka), according to chapter 2.2 [ajitanātha-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 lower world (i.e., adhaloka) is established below the middle world (i.e., madhyaloka) with a depth of seven rajjus less 900 yojanas. In it are seven earths, one below the other, occupying the lower part, in which are the terrifying abodes of the hell-inhabitants. [...] Mahātamaḥprabhā consists of 5 hells. [...] In these are the hells, the places for experiencing bad karma. The pain (of punishment), disease, body (its size), age, soul-color, grief, fear, etc., must be known as increasing in the hells in succession”.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 3: The Lower and middle worlds

Mahātamaḥprabhā (महातमःप्रभा) or simply Mahātamas refers to one of the seven lands (bhumī) or layers of the underworld (adholoka or naraka), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 3.1. Each ‘land’ of hell has a hue (prabhā), which is an attribute of light. Hence this word is associated with each of the seven lands. That ‘land’ which is pitch-dark-hued is called Mahātamaḥprabhā. It is also known by the name Māghavī.

These seven lands (e.g., mahatamas-prabhā) exist in the downward order (one below the other) with Ratnaprabhā being the topmost supported by the cushions of humid atmosphere (ghana), dense air /water (ambu), which rests in a ring of thin /rarified air (vāta) resting in space (ākāśa). Mahātamaḥprabhā has only five less than one hundred thousand infernal abodes (naraka). The maximum life span of infernal beings in Mahātamaḥprabhā land is thirty-three ocean-mesured-periods (sāgaropama).

General definition book cover
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.

Discover the meaning of mahatamahprabha in the context of General definition from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Mahatamahprabha in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Mahātamaḥprabhā (महातमःप्रभा):—[=mahā-tamaḥ-prabhā] [from mahā-tamas > mahā > mah] f. ‘having thick darkness for light’, Name of the lowermost of the 21 hells, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

[Sanskrit to German]

Mahatamahprabha in German

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.

Discover the meaning of mahatamahprabha in the context of Sanskrit from relevant books on Exotic India

Kannada-English dictionary

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

Mahātamaḥprabha (ಮಹಾತಮಃಪ್ರಭ):—[noun] (jain.) one of the hells).

context information

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

Discover the meaning of mahatamahprabha in the context of Kannada from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: