Poravala, Poravāla: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Poravala means something in Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, 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 Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Jainworld: Jain History

Poravāla (पोरवाल) (cf. Prāgvāṭa).—The Poravālas originated simultaneously with Śrīmālīs from Śrīmāla in the eighth century A.D. The people of the eastern gate of Śrīmāla, who accepted Jainism from the Jaina saints in the eighth century A.D., were called Poravālas. The origin of the Poravālas from Śrīmāla does not seem to be correct. In old inscriptions and manuscripts, Prāgvāṭa has been used for the Poravāla. [...] It seems that the people of Prāgvāṭa country in course of time began to be called Prāgvāṭas or Poravālas. The Poravālas tell their origin from the village Pura in Mewar. Like Śrīmālīs, Porvālas were also divided into Laghu Śākhā and Bṛhad Śākhā. We have the inscription of Laghu Śākhā of Poravāla caste of 1653 A.D. The image of Sumatinātha was set up in 1534 A.D. by Mantri Vīsaka of Bṛddha Śākhā of Prāgvāṭa Caste.

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.

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India history and geography

Source: Wisdom Library: India History

Poravala (or, Poravāla) refers to one of the 84 castes (gaccha) in the Jain community according to Prof. H. H. Wilson. The Jain caste and sub-caste system was a comparatively later development within their community, and it may have arisen from the ancient classification of Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya and Śūdra. Before distinction of these classes (such as Poravala), the society was not divided into distinct separate sections, but all were considered as different ways of life and utmost importance was attached to individual chartacter and mode of behaviour.

According to Dr. Vilas Adinath Sangava, “Jainism does not recognise castes (viz., Poravala) as such and at the same time the Jaina books do not specifically obstruct the observance of caste rules by the members of the Jaina community. The attitude of Jainism towards caste is that it is one of the social practices, unconnected with religion, observed by people; and it was none of its business to regulate the working of the caste system” (source).

The legendary account of the origin of these 84 Jain castes (e.g., Poravala) relate that once a rich Jain invited members of the Jain community in order to establish a vaiśya-mahāsabhā (i.e. Central Association of Traders). In response, 84 representatives came from different places, and they were later seen as the progenitors of these castes. Various sources however mention differences in the list.

India history book cover
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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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

pōravālā (पोरवाला).—a That has children; a family-man or -woman. 2 fig. That has a cross sprout--a root of turmeric.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

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