Prabhakara, Prabhākara, Prābhākara, Prabhākarā, Prabha-kara: 26 definitions
Introduction:
Prabhakara means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, biology. 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)
Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇaPrabhākara (प्रभाकर).—One of the seven sons of Jyotiṣmān, who was a son of Priyavrata, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 74. Priyavrata was a son of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia1) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर).—A serpent born of the race of Kaśyapa. Śloka 15, Chapter 35, Ādi Parva).
2) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर).—A great sage born of the race of Atri. This sage married the ten daughters of Ghṛtācī born of Raudrāśva (Bhadrāśva) of the family of Pūru. The names of the daughters are Rudrā, Śūdrā, Maladā, Bhadrā, Malahā, Khaladā, Naladā, Surasā, Gocapalā and Strīratnakūṭā.
2) Once when the Sun was in distress while he was being devoured by Rāhu, Sage Prabhākara said 'Svasti' to give salvation for the Sun and instantly the Sun came out from Rāhu’s hold and shone brightly as before. It was as a result of this virtuous deed that the sage got the name Prabhākara. By his great knowledge and eminence he kept glowing the fame of Atrikula earned by generations.
2) Sage Prabhākara conducted a Yāga and on the occasion the devas presented him with great wealth and ten sons (Harivaṃśa, 1. 81-8. 17).
3) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर).—The sixth division of the land of Kuśadvīpa. (Śloka 13, Chapter 12, Bhīṣma Parva).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर).—A son of Jyotiṣmat after whom the varṣa was named.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 14. 28-29; Vāyu-purāṇa 33. 24. Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 4. 36.
1b) The father of Soma through Madrā.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 8. 76.
1c) One of the 20 Sutapa gaṇas.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 1. 14; Vāyu-purāṇa 100. 14.
1d) The Sun and consort of Prabhā who left him for Soma; image of; one wheel and seven horses; Daṇḍi and Pingala are the door-keepers; Dhātā with the pen in his hand; the charioteer, Aruṇa.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 23. 25; 261. 1-8.
1e) An Ātreya; when Sūrya was beaten by Svarbhānu and was falling down to the earth, the whole world became dark when the sage by his words was able to prevent his falling down and thus giving light in the place of darkness.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 70. 70-4; 99. 127.
1f) (c)—a kingdom of Kuśadvīpam.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 14. 29; 19. 58; Vāyu-purāṇa 33. 26; 49. 54.
Prabhākara (प्रभाकर) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.31.15, I.35) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Prabhā-kara) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa (itihasa)Prabhākara is the name of a Serpent (sarpa) mentioned in the thirty-fifth chapter (verses 4-17) of the Ādiparva of the Mahābhārata.—Accordingly, Sauti, on being implored by Śaunaka to name all the serpents in the course of the sarpa-sattra, tells him that it is humanly impossible to give a complete list because of their sheer multiplicity; but would name the prominent ones in accordance with their significance [e.g., Prabhākara].
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.
Kavya (poetry)
Source: Wisdom Library: Kathāsaritsāgara1) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर) is the son king Vimala from Vimalapura, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 56. Accordingly, as Nārāyaṇī narrated to a group of divine mothers (mātṛcakra) in presence of Candrasvāmin, who was listening from a tree: “... when it was time for her [Vidyādharī] to be given in marriage, the king heard that a son of King Vimala, named Prabhākara, was equal to her in beauty. While the king was willing to give her to Prabhākara, Vimala also learned that Surasena’s daughter was worthy of his son”.
The story of Prabhākara was narrated by Marubhūti order to entertain the company of prince Naravāhanadatta.
2) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर) is the father of Priyaṅkara and the minister of king Jyotiṣprabha, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 58. Accordingly, as Pulastya said in his hermitage: “... and he [king Jyotiṣprabha] gave him [Somaprabha] as minister the virtuous Priyaṅkara, the son of his own minister named Prabhākara”.
The story of Prabhākara was narrated by Gomukha to Naravāhanadatta in order to demonstrate that “the appointed union of human beings certainly takes place in this world, though vast spaces intervene”.
The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Prabhākara, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.
Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan BuddhismPrabhākara (प्रभाकर) is the name of a Pratyekabuddha mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Prabhākara).
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the GaganagañjaparipṛcchāPrabhākara (प्रभाकर) refers to the “Light-maker”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “[...] At that time, sixty koṭis of Bodhisattvas, having stood up from the congregation, joined their palms, paid homage to the Lord, and then uttered these verses in one voice: ‘[...] (231) May the Protector acknowledge our resolution to be firm in realization at the time of destruction. This is not mere words. (232) O King of the dharma, the Light-maker (prabhākara), when this true dharma will be grasped, how much accumulation of merits will be there?’”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra1) Prabhākarā (प्रभाकरा) refers to one of the 32 mountains between the lotus-lakes situated near the four Añjana mountains, which are situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), according to chapter 2.3 [ajitanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly:—“In the four directions from each of the Añjana Mountains there are lotus-lakes, 100,000 yojanas square: [...]. Between each two lotus-lakes there are 2 Ratikara Mountains so there are 32 Ratikara Mountains (e.g., Prabhākarā). On the Dadhimukha Mountains and on the Ratikara Mountains, there are eternal shrines of the Arhats, just as on the Añjana Mountains likewise at the intermediate points of the continent there are 4 Ratikara Mountains, having a length and width of 10,000 yojanas, and a height of 1,000 yojanas, made of all kinds of jewels, divine, the shape of a jhallarī. [...] In them (i.e., the 32 Ratikara Mountains, e.g., Prabhākarā) the gods with all their splendor together with their retinues make eight-day festivals in the shrines on the holy days of the holy Arhats”.
2) Prabhākarā (प्रभाकरा) refers to one of the fifty-thousand sons of Amitatejas, according to chapter 5.1 [śāntinātha-caritra].—Accordingly:—“Then Arkakīrti’s son (i.e., Amitatejas) himself gave Śrīvijaya the vidyā obstructing weapons, capturing, and also releasing. He, causing death to enemies, sent fifty thousand of his sons: Raśmivega, Amitavega, Ravivega, Arkakīrti, Bhānuvega, Ādityayaśas, Bhānu, Citraratha, Arkaprabha, Arkaratha, Ravitejas, Prabhākara, Kiraṇavega, Sahasrakiraṇa and others accompanied by an army with the best of heroes, Tripṛṣṭha’s son, to the city Camaracañcā to take Sutārā from Aśanighoṣa at once. [...]”.
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.
India history and geography
Source: archive.org: Personal and geographical names in the Gupta inscriptionsPrabhākara (प्रभाकर) is an example of a name based on the Sun mentioned in the Gupta inscriptions. The Gupta empire (r. 3rd-century CE), founded by Śrī Gupta, covered much of ancient India and embraced the Dharmic religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Derivation of personal names (e.g., Prabhākara) during the rule of the Guptas followed patterns such as tribes, places, rivers and mountains.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)Prabhakara in India is the name of a plant defined with Calotropis gigantea in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Madorius giganteus Kuntze (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Nepal Med. Coll. J. (2006)
· Journal of Natural Products
· Species Plantarum (1753)
· Revisio Generum Plantarum (1891)
· Systema Vegetabilium (1820)
· Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2002)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Prabhakara, for example health benefits, chemical composition, extract dosage, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, side effects, have a look at these references.
This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryprabhākara (प्रभाकर).—m S (prabhā Light, kara That makes.) The sun.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishprabhākara (प्रभाकर).—m The sun.
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.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryPrābhākara (प्राभाकर).—'A follower of Prabhākara', a follower of that school of Mīmāṃsā philosophy which is known as प्राभाकर (prābhākara).
Derivable forms: prābhākaraḥ (प्राभाकरः).
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Prabhākara (प्रभाकर).—
1) the sun; प्रसन्नत्वात् प्रभाकरः (prasannatvāt prabhākaraḥ) R.1.74.
2) the moon.
3) fire.
4) the ocean.
5) an epithet of Śiva.
6) Name of a learned writer, the founder of a school of Mīmāṃsā philosophy called after him.
7) A gem (padmarāga); Rām.2.114.1.
Derivable forms: prabhākaraḥ (प्रभाकरः).
Prabhākara is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms prabhā and kara (कर).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryPrabhakara (प्रभकर).—see prabhaṃkara.
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Prabhākara (प्रभाकर).—(compare prabhaṃkara), (1) name of a former Buddha: Sukhāvatīvyūha 5.8; of a Buddha in the northern quarter, Sukhāvatīvyūha 98.2; (2) name of a samādhi: Mahāvyutpatti 542; Śatasāhasrikā-prajñāpāramitā 1413.17; 1418.2.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryPrabhākara (प्रभाकर).—m.
(-raḥ) 1. The sun. 2. Fire. 3. The moon. 4. The ocean. 5. An epithet of Siva. 6. Name of a learned author, the founder of that school of the Mimansa philosophy which goes by his name. E. prabhā light, and kara what makes. “kuśadvīpasthe varṣabhedeḥ aṣṭamamanvantare ca” .
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryPrabhākara (प्रभाकर).—[prabhā-kara], m. 1. The sun. 2. The moon. 3. Fire. 4. A proper name = Kumārilasvāmin.
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Prābhākara (प्राभाकर).—i. e. prabhākara + a, m. pl. The followers of Prabhākara, one of the sects of the Pūrva Mīmānsā school, [Vedāntasāra, (in my Chrestomathy.)] in
Prabhākara (प्रभाकर).—[masculine] the sun (light-maker); a man’s name.
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Prābhākara (प्राभाकर).—[masculine] a follower of Prabhākara; [neuter] his work (ph.).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum1) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—a tāntric writer. Mentioned Oxf. 101^b.
2) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर):—Kāśīkhaṇḍakathākeli. Kāśītattvadīpikā. Gayāpaddhatidīpikā.
3) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर):—Kṛṣṇavilāsakāvya.
4) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर):—Dharmasāra.
5) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर):—son of Bhūdhara, wrote in 1617: Gītarāghava.
6) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर):—son of Mādhava Bhaṭṭa, grandson of Rāmeśvara Bhaṭṭa, brother and pupil of Viśvanātha, and Raghunātha, born in 1564: Ekāvalīprakāśa. Kumārasambhavaṭīkā. Cūrṇikā Vāsavadattāṭīkā. Rasapradīpa, written in 1583. Laghusaptaśatikāstava, written in 1629. Vivāhapaṭala. Śāstradīpikā. Hall. p. 181.
7) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर):—son of Mādhava: Alaṃkārarahasya.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Prabhākara (प्रभाकर):—[=prabhā-kara] [from prabhā > pra-bhā] m. ‘light-maker’, the sun ([dual number] sun and moon), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature; Kathāsaritsāgara]
2) [v.s. ...] the moon, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) [v.s. ...] fire, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] a [particular] Samādhi, [Kāraṇḍa-vyūha]
5) [v.s. ...] Name of Śiva, [Śivagītā, ascribed to the padma-purāṇa]
6) [v.s. ...] of a class of deities under the 8th Manu, [Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa]
7) [v.s. ...] of a serpent-demon, [Mahābhārata]
8) [v.s. ...] of a sage of the race of Atri, [Harivaṃśa; Purāṇa]
9) [v.s. ...] of a son of Jyotiṣ-mat, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]
10) [v.s. ...] of a teacher of the Mīmāṃsā philosophy (associated with Kumārilabhaṭṭa), [Colebrooke]
11) [v.s. ...] of sub voce other teachers and authors (also prabhākara-guru, -candra, -datta, -deva, -nandana, -mitra), [Catalogue(s)]
12) Prābhākara (प्राभाकर):—[=prā-bhākara] [from prā] mf(ī)n. derived from prabhā-kara, [Dharmaśarmābhyudaya]
13) [v.s. ...] m. a follower of Pr°, [Vedāntasāra]
14) [v.s. ...] n. the work of Pr°, [Pratāparudrīya [Scholiast or Commentator]]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryPrabhākara (प्रभाकर):—[prabhā-kara] (raḥ) 1. m. The sun; fire; the moon; the ocean.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Prabhākara (प्रभाकर) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Pabhaṃkara.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusPrabhākara (ಪ್ರಭಾಕರ):—
1) [noun] he who gives light.
2) [noun] the sun.
3) [noun] the moon.
4) [noun] fire.
5) [noun] the ocean.
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Prābhākara (ಪ್ರಾಭಾಕರ):—[adjective] propounded by, belonging to the advocacy of, Prabhākara, a staunch advocate of Pūrvamīmāṃsa, one of the six Indian philosophical schools.
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Prābhākara (ಪ್ರಾಭಾಕರ):—
1) [noun] the school of Pūrvamīmāṃsa, as advocated by Prabhākara.
2) [noun] a follower of this school.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryPrabhākara (प्रभाकर):—n. 1. the sun; 2. moon; 3. fire; 4. ocean; 5. Mythol. an epithet of Shiva; adj. spreading light; illuminating;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Pra, Kaara, Prabha, Bhakara, Kara.
Starts with (+2): Prabhakara bhatta, Prabhakara daivajna, Prabhakara Ghaisasa, Prabhakara guru, Prabhakaracandra, Prabhakaradatta, Prabhakaradeva, Prabhakarahnika, Prabhakarahniki, Prabhakarakhandana, Prabhakarakirti, Prabhakaramitra, Prabhakaranandana, Prabhakaranayaka, Prabhakarapariccheda, Prabhakaraparicheda, Prabhakarashri, Prabhakarasiddhi, Prabhakarasvamin, Prabhakaravardhana.
Ends with: Bhatta prabhakara, Sarvakaraprabhakara, Shathavairivaibhavaprabhakara, Vrittiprabhakara, Vyasaprabhakara.
Full-text (+95): Prabhakarasiddhi, Prabhakarakhandana, Prabhakaravarman, Prabhakarasvamin, Prabhakaravardhana, Shathavairivaibhavaprabhakara, Vyasaprabhakara, Prabhakarapariccheda, Prabharaka, Prabhakarahnika, Prabhakara daivajna, Pirapakaram, Prabhakara bhatta, Bhatta prabhakara, Hastamalaka, Prabhakara guru, Prabhakari, Prabhakarashri, Sarvakaraprabhakara, Prabhakara Ghaisasa.
Relevant text
Search found 103 books and stories containing Prabhakara, Prabhākara, Prābhākara, Prabhā-kara, Prabhākarā, Prabha-kara, Pra-bhakara, Prā-bhākara, Prabhakaras; (plurals include: Prabhakaras, Prabhākaras, Prābhākaras, karas, Prabhākarās, bhakaras, bhākaras, Prabhakarases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Tattvabindu of Vachaspati Mishra (study) (by Kishor Deka)
Part 1 - Bhāṭṭa Mīmāṃsā at a glance < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Part 1 - The concept of Anvitābhidhāna-vāda < [Chapter 5 - Refutation of Prābhākara’s theory of Anvitābhidhāna]
Part 2.3 - The concept of Sannidhi or Āsatti (contiguity) < [Chapter 5 - Refutation of Prābhākara’s theory of Anvitābhidhāna]
Mimamsa interpretation of Vedic Injunctions (Vidhi) (by Shreebas Debnath)
Chapter 2.7 - Kumārila Bhaṭṭa and Prabhākara Miśra on Vidhi
Chapter 2.8 - Verbal Understanding of Injunction
Liberation in early Advaita Vedanta (by Aleksandar Uskokov)
8. Language and Prābhākara Mīmāṃsā < [Chapter 2 - The Mīmāṃsā model of Puruṣārtha and the role of Scripture]
5. From Śruti to Śāstra < [Chapter 1 - Rethinking the idea of Scripture in Vedic Theology]
2. Dharma and the Validity of the Veda < [Chapter 6 - General characteristics of Dharma and the Path of Engagement]
A comparative study between Buddhism and Nyaya (by Roberta Pamio)
5.2. Perception of Abhāva < [Chapter 4 - The Nyāya Theory of Perception]
5. Theory of Error/Illusion < [Chapter 1 - The Nature and Criterion of Knowledge]
5.1. Perception of the Universals < [Chapter 4 - The Nyāya Theory of Perception]
Contribution of Vachaspati-Mishra to Samkhya System (by Sasikumar. B)
The concept of Sharira as Prameya (by Elizabeth T. Jones)
Pūrva Mīmāṃsa Philosophy < [Chapter 1]
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