Puranjana, Purañjana: 6 definitions

Introduction:

Puranjana 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

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Puranjana in Purana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Purāṇas

Purañjana (पुरञ्जन) is a Sanskrit word referring to the name of a king, and to the name of his kingdom, which he founded on the south side of the Himalaya mountains, according to the Bhāgavata-purāṇa 4.25.

The city of Purañjana had nine entrances (seven top and two lower level):

  1. Devahū—northern entrance; accompanied by Śrutadhara; destination Uttarapañcāla,
  2. Nalinī—eastern entrance; accompanied by Avadhūta; destination Saurabha,
  3. Nālīnī—eastern entrance; accompanied by Avadhūta; destination Saurabha,
  4. Mukhyā—eastern entrance; accompanied by Rasajña and Vipaṇa; destination Āpaṇa and Bahūdana,
  5. Āvirmukhi—eastern entrance; accompanied by Dyumat; destination Vibhrājita,
  6. Khadyotā—eastern entrance; accompanied by Dyumat; destination Vibhrājita,
  7. Pitṛhū—southern entrance; accompanied by Śrutadhara; destination Dakṣiṇapāñcāla,
  8. Nirṛti—western entrance; accompanied by Lubdhaka; destination Vaiśasa,
  9. Āsurī—western entrance; accompanied by Durmada; destination Grāmaka.
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Purañjana (पुरञ्जन).—A king. The story of this king was told to king Prācīnabarhis by Nārada to illustrate the truth that those who kill yajña cows on earth would surely suffer its consequences at one time or another.

Purañjana once started on a tour after killing a few yajña cows. His aim was to build a new palace. After walking alone for a long time he reached the neighbourhood of Himālayas. While wandering in the forests he saw a beautiful garden and by its side a big castle with nine tower-gates. It was the residence of the Gandharva lady Purañjanī. She had innumerable girl companions and her castle was guarded by a five-hooded cobra called Prajāgiri. (See full article at Story of Purañjana from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Purañjana (पुरञ्जन).—A King of extensive learning, had a friend whose name and behaviour were not known; went in search of a suitable place for the realisation of various pleasures; this he found in a city of nine entrances resembling Bhogavatī on the southern side of the Himālayas. By accident he met a charming lady protected by a serpent and followed by a number of ladies and men; moved by her charms he requested her to be his wife and she agreed; For a hundred years they continued to enjoy pleasures; Purañjana used to visit the kingdoms, Vibhrājita, Saurabha, Dakṣiṇa and Uttara Pāñcālas, Grāmaka, Vaiśasa and others through the different entrances of the city guarded by the Superintendent; influenced by her charms he came completely under her control; mad with desire for hunting, once he left his queen and went to the forest and after killing many a game, he returned home and desired to meet the queen whom he found lying on the bare ground in misery; he consoled her and once more yielded to her love and influence at the cost of his youth; he had 1100 sons and 110 daughters for whom he found worthy wives and suitable bridegrooms; he was then engaged in animal sacrifices, when the followers of Caṇḍavega, a Gandharva, attacked the city of Purañjana and the Superintendent defended it single-handed for 100 years. This placed the citizens and the kinsmen in misery.

A daughter of Kāla, once in the company of Pūru went to Bhaya, the Lord of the Yavanas to marry him; he adopted her as his sister; with her and his brother Prajvāra he set out to wander in the world; in his tour the Yavanas attacked the city of Purañjana; Prajvāra burnt it down; Purañjana was seized and taken to the Yavana camp; the sacrificial animals tore him to pieces; was born as the daughter of Vidarbha Rājasimha; married by Malayadhvaja Pāṇḍya and gave birth to a daughter and seven sons, all kings of the Drāviḍa country. When the Pāṇḍya left for penance she went with him and served him; she wailed at his death; and when about to give up her own life, a Brahmana who called himself her friend consoled her by saying that he and she were once the two Haṃsas of Mānasa and that she took to a household life and underwent all miseries; instructed thus she recollected her old status and remained calm;1 an allegory for jīva and paramātman; Pāñcālas are the five senses while the nine entrances to the city refer to the nine dvāras of the body; sometimes the jīva is a male sometimes a female, and sometimes God, and sometimes man or beast in accordance with Karma.2

  • 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. chh. 25-28 (whole).
  • 2) Ib. IV. 29. 2-9, 29.

1b) An Asura having his city in the third talam.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 20. 27.
Purana book cover
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.

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Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Puranjana in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Purañjana (पुरञ्जन).—

1) The soul.

2) Name of Hari; जपयज्ञेन तपसा पुरञ्जनमतोषयन् (japayajñena tapasā purañjanamatoṣayan) Bhāgavata 4.3.3.

-nī Intellect, understanding.

Derivable forms: purañjanaḥ (पुरञ्जनः).

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

Purañjana (पुरञ्जन).—m.

(-naḥ) Life, the living principle. f. (-nī) Understanding. E. pura the body, and jana what produces.

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

Purañjana (पुरञ्जन):—(naḥ) 1. m. Life or vital principle. f. () Understanding.

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.

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