Padatala, aka: Pādatala, Pada-tala; 5 Definition(s)

Introduction

Padatala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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 Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Pādatala (पादतल) refers to the “soles of the feet”.—According to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV): “wheels with a thousand spokes imprinted on the soles of his (pādatala) feet shoot out six hundred prabhedakoṭi of rays”. The head is the noblest part of the body; why does the Buddha first emit rays from the soles of his feet (pādatala)? Answer. – The body owes its stability (pratiṣṭhāna) to the feet. Moreover, if the head is noble in the body, the feet are lowly and, since the Buddha does not esteem his own rays and does not consider them very precious, he emits them from the lowly place. Finally, the nāgas, mahoragas and asuras emit rays from their mouths and poison whatever is in front of them. If the Buddha emitted his rays from his mouth, beings would be frightened and fear to be exposed to them. This is why the Buddha emits rays from the soles of his feet (pādatala).

After emission, the rays (raśmi) might return to the pādatala (“soles of the feet”), according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV). According to the Avadānaśataka and Divyāvadāna, it is a custom that, at the moment when the Buddha Bhagavats show their smile, blue, yellow, red and white rays flash out of the Bhagavat’s mouth, some of which go up and some of which go down. Those that go down penetrate into the hells (naraka); those that go up penetrate to the gods from the Cāturmahārājikas up to the Akaniṣṭas. Having travelled through the trisāhasramahāsāhasralokadhātu, the rays return to the Bhagavat from behind. According as to whether the Buddha wishes to show such-and-such a thing, the rays return to him by a different part of the body.

The returning of the rays into the soles of his feet (pādatala) of the Buddha predicts a birth in hell (narakopapatti).

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

pādatala : (nt.) the sole of the foot.

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Marathi-English dictionary

paḍataḷa (पडतळ) [or पडताळ, paḍatāḷa].—n ( H) Baggage or luggage.

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paḍataḷā (पडतळा) [or पडताळा, paḍatāḷā].—m (para & tāḷā) Reducing to experiment; referring to some standard; comparing with others; examining by cross operations in order to prove: also measuring, weighing, or counting with. v pāha or tāḍūna pāha.

paḍataḷā (पडतळा) [or paḍatāḷā, or पडताळा].—m Reducing to experi- ment; comparing with others.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Pādatala (पादतल).—the sole of the foot.

Derivable forms: pādatalam (पादतलम्).

Pādatala is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms pāda and tala (तल).

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