Nandanavana, Nandana-vana, Namdanavana: 10 definitions

Introduction:

Nandanavana means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India. 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

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Nandanavana in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Nandanavana (नन्दनवन) [=Nandavana?] refers to the “Nanda forest”, according to the Kulakaulinīmata.—Accordingly, “The goddess in the middle is (red) like vermillion and the Javā and Bandhūka flower. She is charming and beautiful. Auspicious, she holds a flower bow and arrows, noose and goad. Her topknot is red and she holds a bowl and a citron. She is joyful with the bliss of wine. She wears red clothes and has long red eyes. (Her) lips are (like) a flaming red lotus and she shines with red flowers. She is the mother (who makes people) passionate with attachment and she colours this universe (with desire). Kāma, along with spring, resides in the Nanda forest (nandanavananandanākhye vane sthitām). The (spring) breezes are close to him, in front and behind”.

Shaktism book cover
context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Discover the meaning of nandanavana in the context of Shaktism from relevant books on Exotic India

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Nandanavana in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. Nandanavana

The chief of the parks in Tavatimsa, where the inhabitants of Tavatimsa, headed by Indra, go for their amusement. (E.g., DhA.ii.266; A.iii.40; J.vi.240; VvA.7, 34, 61, etc.; PvA.173, 176, 177, etc.; Mtu.i.32, etc.). Cakkavatti kings are born in Tavatimsa after death and spend their time in Nandanavana (S.v.342). It is said (E.g., J.i.49) that there is a Nandanavana in each deva world. The devas go there just before their death and disappear in the midst of their revels. Thus, the Bodhisatta went to Nandanavana in the Tusita world before his descent into Mahamayas womb (J.i.50; see also J.vi.144). In Nandanavana is a lake called Nandana (J.ii.189) and evidently also a palace called Ekapundarikavimana (MT.568). Nandanavana was so called because it awoke delight in the hearts of all who visited it (J.v.158). Sometimes ascetics, like Narada (Ibid.,392), possessed of great iddhi power, would spend their siesta in the shadow of the grove.

2. Nandanavana

A park in Anuradhapura between the Mahameghavana and the southern wall of the city. Mahinda preached there, to the assembled populace, the Balapanita Sutta, the day after his arrival in Anuradhapura. Later, on successive days, he preached the Asivisupama, the Anamatagga, the Khajjaniya, the Gomayapindi and the Dhammacakkappavattana Suttas. On the occasions of the preaching of these various suttas, thousands of people attained to various fruits of the Path, and, because the park was the first centre from which Mahinda radiated a knowledge of the Buddhas teaching it came to be called the Jotivana, by which name it was known later. Mhv.xv.1, 4, 176, 178, 186, 195, 197, 199, 202; Dpv.xiii.11, 12, 14, 15; xiv.12, 17, 44, 48; Sp.i.80 82.

3. Nandanavma

A private park in Pulatthipura, laid out by Parakkamabahu I. Cv.lxxiii.97; lxxix.2.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Discover the meaning of nandanavana in the context of Theravada from relevant books on Exotic India

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Nandanavana in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Nandanavana (नन्दनवन) or simply Nandana refers to the garden of the trāyastriṃśa gods, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV).—“When the gods enter the Houan lo yuan (Nandanavana) garden of the king of the Trāyastriṃśa gods, their minds become soft and gentle, they are joyous, content and no gross minds (sthulacitta) arise in them”. The Trāyastriṃśa gods with Śakra as king live in the city of Sudarśana on the summit of Mount Meru. This city has four parks (viz., Nandana).

According to the Tch’ang a han, “Why is it called Pāruṣyavana? Because when one enters it, one’s thoughts (chen t’i) become harsh (paruṣa)… Why is it called Nanadanavana? Because when one enters it, one is happy and joyful”.

According to the P’i p’o cha, “In the Pāruṣyavana, when the gods want to go to war, armor and weapons appear according to their needs… In the Nanadanavana, all kinds of marvels and joys are gathered and they go from one to another without getting tired”.

Mahayana book cover
context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

Discover the meaning of nandanavana in the context of Mahayana from relevant books on Exotic India

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Nandanavana in Jainism glossary
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 3: The Lower and middle worlds

Nandanavana (नन्दनवन) or simply Nandana is the name of a forest situated on mount Sumeru, which lies at the centre of Jambūdvīpa: the tree enveloping the continent of Jambūdvīpa: the first continent of the Madhya-loka (middle-word), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 3.10.—There are four forests (vana) on Sumeru Mount. They are called Bhadraśāla, Nandanavana, Saumanasavana and Pāṃdukavana. The first forest lies at the foot of the mountain and the rest in its platform. How many Jina temples are there in the four forests? There are four Jina temples in four directions in each forest for a total of 16 temples on the mount.

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 nandanavana in the context of General definition from relevant books on Exotic India

India history and geography

Source: Ancient Buddhist Texts: Geography of Early Buddhism

Nandanavana (नन्दनवन) is the name of a forest situated in Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—In the Visuddhimagga, the Nandanavana, the Missakavana and the Phārusakavana are all referred to.

Nandanavana (cf. Dīpavaṃsa and Mahāvaṃsa) stretched between Mahameghavana where now the Mahāvihāra stands, and the southern Wall of the city of Anurādhapura, Ceylon.

India history book cover
context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Discover the meaning of nandanavana in the context of India history from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Nandanavana in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Nandanavana (नन्दनवन).—the divine grove (of Indra).

Derivable forms: nandanavanam (नन्दनवनम्).

Nandanavana is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms nandana and vana (वन).

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

Nandanavana (नन्दनवन).—[neuter] the grove Nandana.

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

Nandanavana (नन्दनवन):—[=nandana-vana] [from nandana > nand] n. divine grove, [Rāmāyaṇa]

[Sanskrit to German]

Nandanavana 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 nandanavana in the context of Sanskrit from relevant books on Exotic India

Kannada-English dictionary

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

Naṃdanavana (ನಂದನವನ):—[noun] = ನಂದನ - [namdana -] 4 & 5.

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 nandanavana 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: