The Sanskrit term Pṛthvīkāya can be transliterated into English as Prthvikaya or Prithvikaya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Pṛthvīkāya (पृथ्वीकाय) refers to “earth-embodied life forms” and is one of the five types of ‘immobile souls’ characterised with having only one physical sense (touch). It is also known as Pṛthvīkāyika. Jain mendicants must avoid digging in the ground because of pṛthvī-kāya.

There are various types of of pṛthvīkās defined by Pāṭhaka Ratnākara in his commentary on the Jīvavicāraprakaraṇa 1.3-4:

1. crystal or quartz (skt. sphaṭika, pkt. phaliha),
2. jewel (skt. and pkt. maṇi),
3. gem (skt. ratna, pkt. rayaṇa)
4. coral (skt. vidruma, pkt. vidduma),
5. vermilion (skt. and pkt. hiṅgula),
6. yellow orpiment (skt. haritāla, pkt. hariyāla),
7. realgar (skt. manaḥśilā, pkt. maṇasila),
8. mercury (skt. rasendra, pkt. rasinda),
9. golden (skt. kanaka, pkt. kaṇaga),
10. chalk (skt. khaṭikā, pkt. seḍhī),
11. red soft stones (skt. varṇikā, pkt. vaṇṇiya),
12. ? (pkt. araṇeṭṭaya),
13. ? (pkt. palevā),
14. mica of five colours (skt. and pkt. abhraka),
15. ? (pkt. tūri),
16. crude sodium carbonate (pkt. ūsam),
17. earth / clay (skt. mṛttikā, pkt. maṭṭiya),
18. stones (skt. and pkt. pāhāṇa),
19. sulphuret of antimony (skt. sauvīrāñjana),
20. salt (skt. lavaṇa),
21. sea-salt (skt. sindhava)

The Jīvavicāraprakaraṇa is a Jain text by Śānti-sūri of the 11th century A.D, of which exists various other commentaries by Bhāvasundara, Meghanandana and Īśvarācārya.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Prithvi, Kaya.

Full-text: Prithvikayika, Mrin, Chaviccheda.

Relevant text

Search found 3 books and stories containing Prithvikaya, Prithvi-kaya, Prthvi-kaya, Pṛthvī-kāya, Pṛthvīkāya, Prthvikaya; (plurals include: Prithvikayas, kayas, kāyas, Pṛthvīkāyas, Prthvikayas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Tattva 1: Jīva (soul) < [Appendix 1.4: The nine tattvas]

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Atharvaveda and Charaka Samhita (by Laxmi Maji)

Bhela and Bhela Saṃhitā < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]

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Jainism and Patanjali Yoga (Comparative Study) (by Deepak bagadia)

The five Mahavratas < [Chapter 3 - Jain Philosophy and Practice]

Part 3.4 - Nine Elements (1): Jiva (self, soul) < [Chapter 3 - Jain Philosophy and Practice]

Part 5.1 - The main Twelve Angas < [Chapter 3 - Jain Philosophy and Practice]

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