Pulastya: 23 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Shaktism
2. Vaishnavism
3. Purana
4. Kavya
5. Natyashastra
6. Jyotisha
7. Pancaratra
8. General definition
India history
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also
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Introduction:

Pulastya means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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

Pulastya (पुलस्त्य):—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.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: ISKCON Press: Glossary

Pulastya (पुलस्त्य).—(Pulaha) one of the seven great sages who were born directly from Lord Brahmā.

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Pulastya (पुलस्त्य) refers to:—One of the seven sages who were grandsons of Brahmā; according to the Garga Saṃhitā, Pulastya Ṛṣi brought Girirājajī to Vraja-bhūmi. (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’).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brahma Purana

Pulastya (पुलस्त्य) 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: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Pulastya (पुलस्त्य).—One of the Prajāpatis. Birth and marriage. Pulastya is one of the six spiritual sons of Brahmā. Pulastya was born from the Karṇa—ear—of Brahmā. (Chapter 65, Ādi Parva and Bhāgavata). (See full article at Story of Pulastya from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

1) Pulastya (पुलस्त्य) was created as a Sādhaka (aspirant) by Brahmā out of his vital breath named Udāna, 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 Pulastya from the vital breath Udāna, [...] O foremost among sages, creating thus, thanks to the favour of Mahādeva, these excellent Sādhakas (e.g., Pulastya) 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”.

2) Pulastya (पुलस्त्य) was created by Brahmā in the Pādmakalpa, as mentioned in the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.19.—“[...] in the Kalpa called Pādma, I created my mental son Pulastya whose son Viśravas begot the son Vaiśravaṇa. He propitiated the three-eyed God Śiva, with a very severe penance and enjoyed the city of Alakā built by Viśvakṛt. When that Kalpa was over and the Meghavāhana Kalpa had started, the son of Yajñadatta, Śrīda, performed a severe penance”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Pulastya (पुलस्त्य).—A mind-born son of Brahmā born of his ears in Vāruṇī yajna; married Kardama's daughter Havirbhū; father of Agastya (Dhrāgni in another birth) and Viśravas;¹ a Mahaṛṣi; sage presiding over the month of Madhu;² āśrama of; near Pulaha's;³ requested Parāśara to impart Bhāgavata to Maitreya;⁴ not seen the Supreme Being;⁵ came to Syamantapañcaka to see Kṛṣṇa;⁶ a Devaṛṣi of Dāruvana;⁷ married the twelve daughters of Krodha, whose sons were uragas and nagas;⁸ father of Kubera and Rāvaṇa and appealed to Kārtavīrya Arjuna to release Rāvaṇa;⁹ his sons are the groups of Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, etc., who worship the Barhiṣad manes;¹⁰ praised Śiva, out to destroy Tripuram;¹¹ from the Kesa of fire to which Brahmā's śukram was offered;¹² gave Vāmana white cloths.¹³

1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 12. 22 and 24; 24. 22; IV. 1. 36; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 32. 96; III. 1. 21 and 45; Matsya-purāṇa 3. 6; Vāyu-purāṇa 25. 82; 61. 82; 65. 42; 94. 36; 101. 35, 49.
2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa XII. 11. 33; Matsya-purāṇa 145. 90; Vāyu-purāṇa 52. 2; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 10. 3.
3) Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 8. 30.
4) Ib. III. 8. 9.
5) Ib. IV. 29. 43.
6) Ib. X. 84. 4.
7) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 35. 92; 27. 104; III. 1. 21, 45.
8) Ib. III. 7. 171; 8. 70; II. 35. 92.
9) Ib. III. 69. 36; Matsya-purāṇa 43. 38.
10) Ib. 15. 1-4.
11) Ib. 102. 19; 126. 3; 133. 67.
12) Ib. 171. 27; 195. 10.
13) Ib. 245. 87.

1b) Created from Udāna;¹ a son of Brahmā and the elder brother of Pulaha;² of the Svāyambhuva epoch;³ married Prītī, daughter of Dakṣa;⁴ father of three sons, of whom Dattāli was one;⁵ married to Bhūti;⁶ by his gift Parāśara remembered the viṣṇu purāṇa.⁷

1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa I. 1. 117; 5. 70; Vāyu-purāṇa I. 138; 3. 3.
2) Ib. 25. 82; 36. 48; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 1. 22-3.
3) Vāyu-purāṇa 9. 102; 28. 22.
4) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 9. 18, 24, 55.
5) Ib. II. 11. 26; 13. 53; Vāyu-purāṇa 31. 16.
6) Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 7. 5 and 7.
7) Ib. VI. 8. 50.

Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Pulastya (पुलस्त्य) 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 Pulastya) 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

1) Pulastya (पुलस्त्य) married Prīti: 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. [...] [Prīti was given to Pulastya.] Pulastya and Prīti had a son named Datta who was well known as Agastya .

2) Pulastya (पुलस्त्य) married Ilavilā, the daughter of Rājarṣi Tṛṇavindu, according to another account of Vaṃśa in the Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, Rājarṣi Tṛṇavindu gave his daughter Ilavilā to Pulastya. Viśravas was born to her. Viśravas had four wives—Puṣpotkaṭā, Vākā, Kaikasī and Devavarṇinī.

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.

Kavya (poetry)

Source: Shodhganga: The Kavyamimamsa of Rajasekhara

Pulastya (पुलस्त्य) is the name of an important person (viz., an Ācārya or Kavi) mentioned in Rājaśekhara’s 10th-century Kāvyamīmāṃsā.—One of the eighteen disciples of Kāvya-puruṣa, who was very much known for his composition on Svabhavokti. He was also the son of Brahmā. In the Kāvyamīmāṃsāof Rājaśekhara posits him as the propounder of Vāstava or svabhavokti adhikaraṇa.

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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’.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Pulastya (पुलस्त्य) 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?”.

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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).

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Pulastya (पुलस्त्य) 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.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: Wisdom Library: Pancaratra (Samhita list)

1) Pulastya (पुलस्त्य) or Pulastyasaṃhitā is the name of an ancient Pāñcarātra Saṃhitā mentioned in the Puruṣottamasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text consisting of more than 1800 verses devoted to temple-building and the practical concerns of the Pāñcarātra priestly community.—The Puruṣottama Saṃhitā presents a clear and concise treatment of its subjects, comparing favorably to such works as Aniruddhasaṃhitā (q.v.) and Kapiñjalasaṃhitā (q.v.). Like the latter of these two just-mentioned texts, the work at hand also contains a list of canonical titles in its opening chapter.

2) Pulastya (पुलस्त्य) or Pulastyasaṃhitā is also mentioned in the Bhāradvājasaṃhitā or “Bhāradvāja-kaṇva-saṃhitā”: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 230 ślokas mainly concerned with basic details concerning temple construction and icon consecration.

3) Pulastya (पुलस्त्य) or Pulastyasaṃhitā is also mentioned in the Mārkaṇḍeyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2200 Sanskrit verses mainly dealing with temple-building, iconography, pūjā (worship procedures), utsava (festivities) and prāyaścitta (expiatory measures).

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Pulastya was one of the ten Prajapati or mind-born sons of Brahma, and one of the Saptarishis (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the first Manvantara.

He was the medium through which some of the Puranas were communicated to man. He received the Vishnu Purana from Brahma and communicated it to Parashara, who made it known to mankind.

He was father of Visravas who was the father of Kubera and Ravana, and all the Rakshasas are supposed to have sprung from him. Pulastya Rishi was married to one of Kardam ji's nine daughters named Havirbhoo. Pulastya Rishi had two sons - Maharshi Agastya and Visravas. Vishravaa had two wives: one was Kekasi who gave birth to Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana; and another was Ilavida and had a son named Kuber.

etymology: Pulastya (Sinhala: පුලස්ති, Tamil: Pulattiyan, Thai: ท้าวจตุรพักตร์)

India history and geography

Source: academia.edu: The Chronological History of Ancient Sri Lanka

Most probably, Rishi Pulastya had two sons, Rakshas and Yaksha. The progeny of Rakshas came to be known as Rakshasas and the progeny of Yaksha came to be known as Yakshas. The descendants of Rishi Pulastya and Pulaha had to emigrate from the banks of Saraswati or Sapta Sindhu to the southern banks of Narmada during the early Vedic period. Later, many families of Yakshas settled in Sri Lanka.

context information

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

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

Derivable forms: pulastyaḥ (पुलस्त्यः).

[Sanskrit to German]

Pulastya 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 81 books and stories containing Pulastya; (plurals include: Pulastyas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

3. Devala: An ancient authority on Dharma < [Chapter 2 - Devala—his bio-data]

References to section [F] < [Chapter 9 - The distinctive features of the Devalasmriti]

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Verse 2.2.21 < [Chapter 2 - Description of Girirāja Govardhana’s Birth]

Verse 2.2.31 < [Chapter 2 - Description of Girirāja Govardhana’s Birth]

Verse 2.2.33 < [Chapter 2 - Description of Girirāja Govardhana’s Birth]

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

Verse 3.198 < [Section XI - Origin of the Pitṛs and the Mode of Worshipping them]

Verse 2.56 < [Section XIII - Initiation (upanayana)]

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Morning Prayer (suprabhatam) < [Purana, Volume 7, Part 1 (1965)]