In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Pilaṅkhu (पिलङ्खु) is the name of the caitya-tree (identified with Plakṣa) under which the parents of Śītala are often depicted in Jaina iconography, according to the Śvetāmbara tradition. According to the Digambara tradition the tree is known as Dhūli. The term caitya refers to “sacred shrine”, an important place of pelgrimage and meditation in Jainism. Sculptures with such caitya-trees generally shows a male and a female couple seated under a tree with the female having a child on her lap. Usually there is a seated Jina figure on top of the tree.

Śītala is the tenth of twenty-four tīrthaṅkaras: enlightened beings who, having conquered saṃsāra (cycle of birth and death), leave a path behind for others to follow. His father is Dṛḍharatha and his mother is Nandā, according to the Ācāradinakara (14th century work on Jain conduct written by Vardhamāna Sūri).

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

Prakrit-English dictionary

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

Pilaṃkhu (पिलंखु) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Plakṣ.

Pilaṃkhu has the following synonyms: Paṃlakkhu.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Plaksh, Pamlakkhu, Plaksha, Dhuli.

Relevant text

No search results for Pilankhu, Pilaṅkhu, Pilamkhu, Pilaṃkhu; (plurals include: Pilankhus, Pilaṅkhus, Pilamkhus, Pilaṃkhus) in any book or story.