Pulaha: 18 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Shaktism
2. Purana
3. Natyashastra
4. Vaishnavism
5. Jyotisha
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also

Introduction:

Pulaha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

Pulaha (पुलह):—One of the mind-born sons of Brahmā, according to the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa (chapter on the Devī-yajña). They were created by the sheer power of mind.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Pulaha (पुलह).—One of the Prajāpatis. The references about him in the Purāṇas are the following:

Pulaha was one of the spiritual sons of Brahmā. (Śloka 12, Chapter 204, Vana Parva).

Kṣamā, wife of Pulaha, delivered three sons named Kardama, Urvarīvān and Sahiṣṇu. (Chapter 10, Aṃśa 1, Viṣṇu Purāṇa).

Pulaha got of his wife Kṣamā another son named Karmaśreṣtha. (Chapter 20, Agni Purāṇa).

Pulaha is included in the group of six powerful sages. (Śloka 4, Chapter 66, Ādi Parva).

From Pulaha were born the butterflies, lions, tigers, lambs, wolves and Kimpuruṣas. (Śloka 3, Chapter 66, Ādi Parva).

Pulaha took part in the Janmotsava of Arjuna. (Śloka 52, Chapter 122, Ādi Parva).

Pulaha was also among the sages who dissuaded Parāśara from conducting a yāga to kill all the rākṣasas. (Śloka 9, Chapter 180, Ādi Parva).

Pulaha was a member of the court of Indra. (Śloka 17, Chapter 7, Sabhā Parva).

Pulaha was a worshipper of Brahmā. (Śloka 18, (Chapter 11, Sabhā Parva).

Pulaha did penance at a place on the shores of Alakanandā, a tributary of river Gaṅgā. (Śloka 6, Chapter 142, Vana Parva).

He took part in the Janmotsava of Subrahmaṇya. (Śloka 9, Chapter 45, Śalya Parva).

Pulaha is included in the twenty one Prajāpatis. (Śloka 35, Chapter 334, Śānti Parva).

Pulaha is one among the group of Saptarṣis called Citraśikhaṇḍins. (Śloka 29, Chapter 335, Śānti Parva).

Pulaha is also one of the Aṣṭaprakṛtis. (Chapter 340, Śānti Parva).

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Pulaha (पुलह) was created as a Sādhaka (aspirant) by Brahmā out of his vital breath named Vyāna, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.16:—“[...] I [viz., Brahmā] created many other things as well, but O sage, I was not satisfied. Then O sage, I meditated on Śiva and his consort Ambā and created aspirants (sādhakas). [...] I created the great sage Pulaha from the vital breath Vyāna, [...] O foremost among sages, creating thus, thanks to the favour of Mahādeva, these excellent Sādhakas (e.g., Pulaha) I became contented. Then, O dear one, Dharma, born out of my conception assumed the form of Manu at my bidding and was engaged in activity by the aspirants”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Pulaha (पुलह).—One of the ten mind-born sons of Brahmā, born of his navel; married Kardama's daughter, Gatī and had three sons; born from the Keśa of fire to which Brahmā's śukram was offered; presiding over the month of Mādhava;¹ a Mahaṛṣi; his hermitage, sacred to Hari; visited by Balarāma; Bharata spent his last days in it;² had not realised the Supreme Being;³ his descendants became Ājyapa manes;⁴ praised Śiva out to destroy Tripura;⁵ gave akṣasūtra to Vāmana;⁶ younger brother of Pulastya, married Sambhūti;⁷ King Ṛṣabha spent his last days in his hermitage.⁸

1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 12. 22, 24; 24. 23; IV. 1. 38; XII. 11. 34; Matsya-purāṇa 3. 7; 171. 27; 195. 10; 202. 7 and 9.
2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VII. 14. 30; X. 79. 10; V. 7. 8; 8. 30; Matsya-purāṇa 145. 90; Vāyu-purāṇa 52. 2; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 10. 5.
3) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. 29. 43.
4) Matsya-purāṇa 15. 21.
5) Ib. 102. 19; 126. 3; 133. 67.
6) Ib. 245. 87.
7) Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 1. 23; 7. 5 and 7.
8) Ib. II. 1. 29.

1b) Created from vyāna of Brahmā; out of the Vāruṇi yajña with hairs hanging from his body;¹ son of Brahmā;² Prajāpati of the Svāyambhuva period;³ son-in-law of Dakṣa;⁴ wife Kṣamā;⁵ father of four sons and a daughter, Pīvarī.⁶

1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa I. 5. 70; II. 9. 18 and 24; Vāyu-purāṇa 3. 3; 9. 102; 61. 82 and 84.
2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 9. 55; 13. 53; Vāyu-purāṇa 25. 82.
3) Ib. 28. 25; 101. 35 and 49.
4) Ib. 30. 48.
5) Ib. 31. 16.
6) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 11. 30.

Source: Wisdomlib Libary: Brahma Purana

Pulaha (पुलह) is mentioned as one of the seven mind-born sons of Brahmā, also known as the seven prajāpatis, or the seven brahmās, according to the first chapter of the Brahma-purāṇa (on the origin of Devas and Asuras). Accordingly, “Desirous of evolving creation befitting these, he created Prajāpatis (Lords of subjects) viz. Marīci, Atri, Aṅgiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and Vasiṣṭha. Thus the lord of great refulgence created seven mental sons. In the Purāṇas these are known as the seven Brahmās”.

The Brahmapurāṇa (mentioning Atri) is one the eighteen mahāpurāṇas originally composed of over 10,000 verses. The first three books of the extant edition contains a diverse amount of topics such as creation theory, cosmology, mythology, philosophy and genealogy. The fourth and last part represents pilgrimage’s travel guide (māhātmya) and narrates the legends surrounding numerous holy spots (tīrtha) around the Godāvarī region in India.

Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Pulaha (पुलह) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.59.10, I.65, I.60.4) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Pulaha) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

Pulaha (पुलह) married Kṣamā: one of the daughters of Dakṣa and Prasūti: one of the two daughters of Manu-svāyaṃbhuva and Śatarūpā, according to the Vaṃśa (‘genealogical description’) of the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, Ākūti was married to Ruci and Prasūti to Dakṣa. Dakṣa produced in Prasūti twenty-four daughters. [...] [ Kṣamā was given to Pulaha.]. [...] Pulaha and Kṣamā had two sons—Kardama and Ambarīṣa.

context information

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.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Pulaha (पुलह) is the name of a sage who was in the company of Bharata when he recited the Nāṭyaveda them, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 35. Accordingly, they asked the following questions, “O the best Brahmin (lit. the bull of the twice-born), tell us about the character of the god who appears in the Preliminaries (pūrvaraṅga). Why is the sound [of musical instruments] applied there? What purpose does it serve when applied? What god is pleased with this, and what does he do on being pleased? Why does the Director being himself clean, perform ablution again on the stage? How, O sir, the drama has come (lit. dropped) down to the earth from heaven? Why have your descendants come to be known as Śūdras?”.

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Pulaha (पुलह) refers to:—One of seven sages who were grandsons of Brahmā. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Pulaha (पुलह) refers to one of the Seven Ṛṣis (saptarṣi), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 13), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “During the reign of Yudhisthira, 2526 years before the commencement of Vikrama Śaka, the Seven Ṛṣis (saptarṣi) were at the constellation of Maghā (Regulus). The Ṛṣis take a period of 100 years to go over each of the 27 asterisms. They rise in the north-east and are accompanied by the chaste Arundhatī—the consort of Vasiṣṭha. The eastern-most of the group is Bhagavān Marīci; the next to him is Vasiṣṭha; the next is Aṅgiras and the next two are—Atri and Pulastya. The next in order are the Ṛṣis—Pulaha and Kratu. The chaste Arundhatī closely attends her husband the sage Vasiṣṭha”.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Pulaha (पुलह).—Name of a sage, one of the mind-born sons of Brahmā; Manusmṛti 1.35.

Derivable forms: pulahaḥ (पुलहः).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Pulaha (पुलह).—m.

(-haḥ) One of the seven divine sages, supposed to have born from the navel of Brahma. E. pul great, hā to abandon, aff. ka.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Pulaha (पुलह).—m. The name of one of the seven Ṛṣis and mental sons of Brahman, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 1, 35.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Pulaha (पुलह).—[masculine] names of ancient Ṛṣis.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Pulaha (पुलह):—[from pula] m. (pula + √2. hā) Name of an ancient Ṛṣi (one of the mind-born sons of Brahmā enumerated among the Prajā-patis and seven sages), [Atharva-veda.Pariś.; Pravara texts; Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata etc. (Indian Wisdom, by Sir M. Monier-Williams 517n.1])

2) [v.s. ...] Name of a star, [Harivaṃśa]

3) [v.s. ...] Name of Śivi, [Śivagītā, ascribed to the padma-purāṇa]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Pulaha (पुलह):—(haḥ) 1. m. Idem.

[Sanskrit to German]

Pulaha in German

context information

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.

Relevant text

Search found 39 books and stories containing Pulaha; (plurals include: Pulahas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Verse 1.34-35 < [Section XX - Creation of Marīci and other Sages]

Verse 2.6 < [Section III - Sources of Knowledge of Dharma]

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Chapter 34 - The enumeration of Manvantaras < [Section 5 - Umā-Saṃhitā]

Chapter 16 - Description of the Creation < [Section 2.1 - Rudra-saṃhitā (1): Sṛśṭi-khaṇḍa]

Chapter 17 - The Narrative of Creation < [Section 7.1 - Vāyavīya-saṃhitā (1)]

+ 13 more chapters / show preview

Story of Ompatu

Story of Aṃśa

Story of Bharata

+ 21 more chapters / show preview

Chapter V - Creation of the Prajapatis < [Agastya Samhita]