Nalakubara, Nalakūbara: 8 definitions

Introduction:

Nalakubara 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.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Nalakubara in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Nalakūbara (नलकूबर).—A son of Vaiśravaṇa. He had a brother called Maṇigrīva. Cursing Rāvaṇa, It was the time when Rāvaṇa was ruling over Laṅkā and terrorising the fourteen worlds. As he was carrying on his conquests, once he came to a round rock near Kailāsa. It was night. Rambhā had fixed a rendezvous near the rock that night with Nalakūbara. The full moon shone bright. The radiance of the moon rendered Kailāsa and its vicinity most beautiful. Filled with passion Rāvaṇa could not sleep at all. In the silence of that calm night he heard the tinkling of bangles. Rāvaṇa opened his twenty eyes and looked in that direction. He saw an extremely beautiful woman clad in splendid garments and ornaments going along the way. He ran to her and caught hold of her hand. She was flurried and confused at his sudden appearance. So she said, "Oh Lord! I am the wife of Nalakūbara who is the son of your brother Kubera. My name is Rambhā. Your brother’s son is your son too. So don't do any harm to your son’s wife." But Rāvaṇa did not pay any heed to her words. He lifted her up and placed her on the round rock and raped her. Before dawn Rambhā, who had become like the lake of lotus trodden by a mad elephant, went to Nalakūbara and told him everything. Nalakūbara became very angry and cursed Rāvaṇa. "You, who have become blind with lust, shall not touch a woman who does not reciprocate your love. If you do so your head will be split into seven pieces." It was because of this curse that Rāvaṇa did not touch Sītā though she was kept in his harem. (Uttara Rāmāyaṇa; Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 28). (See full article at Story of Nalakūbara from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Nalakūbara (नलकूबर).—A son of Kubera and Ṛddhi; as an attendant of Rudra became very proud and with his brother Maṇigrīva enjoyed maidens' embrace on the Ganges, all naked. Nārada saw this when the ladies put on their dress while Nalakūbara and his brother continued to remain naked owing to their drunkenness. The sage cursed them to become trees for a hundred divine years without losing the pūrvavāsana. So they stood till Kṛṣṇa redeemed them by bringing down the trees; their prayer to Kṛṣṇa; set out to the north, permitted by Kṛṣṇa.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 9. 22. 23; 10. (whole); Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 8. 46. Vāyu-purāṇa 70. 41.
Source: Archaeological Survey of India: Śaiva monuments at Paṭṭadakal (purāṇa)

Nalakūbara (नलकूबर) is the name of a guhyaka (demigods), or servant of Kubera (treasurer of the gods). Nalakūbara and Maṇigrīva were metamorphosed and transformed into trees due to a curse inflicted on them by Nārada, the celestial musician. The two guhyaka demigods, were deeply engrossed in amorous activities with their consorts, when Nārada arrived there. They did not pay attention to his arrival and continued their romantic deeds. Enraged by this negligence on their part, he cursed them to become twin Arjuna trees. When they began to beg his pardon Nārada advised them to pray Hari (Viṣṇu) with pure devotion. They would be relieved of their curse when the Lord glances at them compassionately.

Purana book cover
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The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

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

Nalakūbara (नलकूबर) is the name of Indra’s Dikpāla in the city Durlaṅgha, 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, “At Daśagrīva’s command Kumbhakarṇa and others went to capture Indra’s Dikpāla, Nalakūbara, in the city Durlaṅgha. By means of the vidyā Āśālī Nalakūbara made a wall of fire, which was a hundred yojanas high, in his city. And on it he made machines made of fire alone making a fire in the sky, as it were, with masses of flames. Nalakūbara stood near the wall, surrounded by soldiers, blazing with anger like a Vahnikumāra. [...]”.

General definition book cover
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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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Nalakubara in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nalakūbara (नलकूबर).—[masculine] [Name] of a son of Kubera.

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

Nalakūbara (नलकूबर):—[=nala-kūbara] [from nala] m. Name of a son of Kubera, [Mahābhārata]

[Sanskrit to German]

Nalakubara 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.

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