In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Meraka (मेरक) is the name of the third Prativāsudeva according to both Śvetāmbara and Digambara sources. 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”).

The Prativāsudevas (such as Meraka) 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

Meraka (मेरक) 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

Meraka (मेरक).—

1) A seat covered with bark.

2) Name of an enemy of Viṣṇu.

Derivable forms: merakaḥ (मेरकः).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Meraka (मेरक).—m. (Divyāvadāna) or nt. (Mahāvyutpatti), (= Pali moragu, and probably both from Sanskrit mayūrakaḥ), a kind of grass used for coverlets, or a coverlet made of it: Divyāvadāna 19.22: Mahāvyutpatti 9181; see s.v. eraka.

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

Meraka (मेरक).—m.

(-kaḥ) An Asura and foe to Vishnu.

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

1) Meraka (मेरक):—m. or n. a seat covered with bark, [Divyāvadāna]

2) Name of an enemy of Viṣṇu, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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

Meraka (मेरक):—(kaḥ) 1. m. Asur, Vishnu's foe.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Meraka (मेरक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Meraga.

[Sanskrit to German]

Meraka 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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with: Merakan, Merakan lanang, Merakatangedu, Merakathangedu.

Full-text: Meraga, Nishumbha, Prativasudeva, Taraka, Magadheshvara, Lankesha, Pralhada, Eraka, Prahlada, Bali, Madhu.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Meraka; (plurals include: Merakas). 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 12: Quarrel with Meraka < [Chapter III - Vimalanāthacaritra]

Part 9: Bali’s birth as the Prativiṣṇu Meraka < [Chapter III - Vimalanāthacaritra]

Part 11: The future Prativāsudevas < [Chapter VI]

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Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti) (by K. C. Lalwani)

Part 3 - On patriarchs < [Chapter 5]

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