Munisuvrata: 9 definitions
Introduction:
Munisuvrata means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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.
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In Hinduism
Kavya (poetry)
Munisuvrata (मुनिसुव्रत) in Sanskrit (or Muṇisuvvaya in Prakrit) is mentioned in the Vividhatīrthakalpa by Jinaprabhasūri (13th century A.D.): an ancient text devoted to various Jaina holy places (tīrthas).—Accordingly, “[...] Khamdaga was ordained a monk with Muṇisuvvaya. One day, he goes to Kuṃbhākārakaḍa to convert his sister. To lose him, Pālaga had his arms laid down at the place where the monks settled. Wrath of the king. Pālaga subjects the monks to torture. All are released, except Khaṃdaga, who makes a vengeful wish and is reborn Agnikurrāra”.
Cf. Uttarādhyayanacūrṇi 73.1-12; Uttarādhyayana a.6-b.4; Bṛhatkalpabhāṣya 915.29-916.17; Niśīthacūrṇi IV 127.11-31; Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra VII.5. v. 335-364: Johnson IV p. 237-239.
Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Munisuvrata (मुनिसुव्रत):—The twentieth Tīrthaṅkara (Janism recognizes 24 such teachers or Siddhas). He is also known as Munisuvratanātha. His colour is gold (kāñcana), according to Aparājitapṛcchā (221.5-7). His height is 20 dhanuṣa (a single dhanuṣa (or, ‘bow’) equals 6 ft), thus, roughly corresponding to 37 meters. His emblem, or symbol, is a Tortoise.
Munisuvrata’s father is Sumitra and his mother is Padmā. It is an ancient Jain practice to worship the Tīrthaṅkara’s parents in various rites, such as the pratiṣṭhāvidhi, according to the Ācāradinakara (14th century work on Jain conduct written by Vardhamāna Sūri).
Munisuvrata (मुनिसुव्रत) refers to the twentieth of twenty-four Tīrthaṃkaras or Jinas, commonly depicted in Jaina iconography.—The Jaina texts furnish the emblem of a tortoise which differentiates the image of this Jina from those of all the rest. The Yakṣa husband and wife are called Varuṇa and Naradattā (Digambara Bahurūpiṇī) respectively. The king who plays the part of his Chowri-bearer is named Ajita. The tree made sacred by being associated with the scene of his Kevala knowledge is Campaka.
Regarding the Jina’s parentage, we are informed that his father named Sumitra was the king of Magadha. His mother had the name of Soma (Padmāvatī according to some books). His dynasty is called the Harivaṃśa. The capital was at Rājagṛha. His name originated from the fact that he kept noble vows (Suvrata, good vows) devoutly and he was a Muni or a Saint. The tortoise as his emblem symbolises the idea of slowness and steadiness, the two requisite qualities for keeping vows.
Munisuvrata (मुनिसुव्रत) or Suvrata refers to the twentieth of the twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras praised in the first book (ādīśvara-caritra) [chapter 1] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly, “[...] we worship the Arhats, who at all times and all places purify the people of the three worlds by their name, representation, substance, and actual existence. [...] We praise Munisuvrata’s preaching, which resembles the dawn for the sleep of the world’s great delusion”.
Munisuvrata is the son of king Sumitra and Padmāvatī, according to chapter 6.7.—“King Sumitra held his son’s birth-festival at dawn, delighting the people by releases from prison and by gifts, et cetera. While he was still in the womb, his mother observed the vows like a muni, so his father gave him the name Munisuvrata. Though his soul was purified by the three kinds of knowledge, pretending lack of knowledge to the people by childish play, the Lord gradually grew up”.
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
Munisuvrata (मुनिसुव्रत).—m.
(-taḥ) The twentieth Jaina pontiff of the present era.
Munisuvrata (मुनिसुव्रत):—[=muni-suvrata] [from muni] m. (with Jainas) Name of the 12th Arhat of the past and the 20th of the present Avasarpiṇī, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Munisuvrata (मुनिसुव्रत):—[muni-suvrata] (taḥ) 1. m. The 20th Jaina pontiff of the present era.
[Sanskrit to German]
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: Suvrata, Muni.
Starts with: Munisuvratanatha, Munisuvratasvamigita, Munisuvratasvamin.
Full-text (+15): Suvrata, Munisuvratasvamin, Municuvviratar, Naradatta, Kalpasutra, Tirthankara, Sumitra, Ashvavabodha, Nilaguha, Soma, Munisuvratanatha, Namuci, Shrivarman, Padma, Varuna, Ghanodadhiratha, Campaka, Munisuvvaya, Vajrakantha, Prabhavati.
Relevant text
Search found 19 books and stories containing Munisuvrata, Muni-suvrata; (plurals include: Munisuvratas, suvratas). 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 10: Rāma’s life as a monk < [Chapter X - Rāma’s mokṣa (emancipation)]
Part 13: Munisuvrata’s mokṣa (emancipation) < [Chapter VII - Śrī Munisuvratanāthacaritra]
Part 6: Munisuvrata’s life before initiation < [Chapter VII - Śrī Munisuvratanāthacaritra]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Jain Remains of Ancient Bengal (by Shubha Majumder)
The twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras and their Yakṣas and Yakṣiṇīs < [Chapter 6 - Iconographic Study of Jaina Sculptural Remains]
Image worship in Jainism < [Chapter 6 - Iconographic Study of Jaina Sculptural Remains]
Meaning of Tīrthaṅkara < [Chapter 1 - Introduction and Scope of the Present Study]
Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti) (by K. C. Lalwani)
Part 3 - On patriarchs < [Chapter 5]
Paumacariya (critical study) (by K. R. Chandra)
7. Munisuvrata the twentieth Tirthakara < [Chapter 4 - Intervening Stories]
6. Genealogy of the Hari Vamsa dynasty < [Chapter 5 - Origin and Genealogy of Various Vamshas]
1. Introduction < [Chapter 4 - Intervening Stories]
Preksha meditation: History and Methods (by Samani Pratibha Pragya)
3.1.2. Colour-Visualisation of the Tīrthaṅkara < [Chapter 3 - The History of Meditation in Terāpanth]