Purasha, Purāṣa: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Purasha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Hindi. 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.
The Sanskrit term Purāṣa can be transliterated into English as Purasa or Purasha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Alternative spellings of this word include Pursa.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: LokottaravādaPurāṣa (पुराष) is the name of a Buddha under whom Śākyamuni (or Gautama, ‘the historical Buddha’) acquired merit along the first through nine bhūmis, according to the Mahāvastu. There are in total ten bhūmis representing the ten stages of the Bodhisattva’s path towards enlightenment.
Purāṣa is but one among the 500 Buddhas enumerated in the Mahāvastu during a conversation between Mahākātyāyana and Mahākāśyapa, both principle disciples of Gautama Buddha. The Mahāvastu is an important text of the Lokottaravāda school of buddhism, dating from the 2nd century BCE.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryPurāṣa (पुराष).—(so ed. with mss.), name of a former Buddha: Mahāvastu i.137.13. Senart's note rightly expresses doubt of the reading, which he says could at best represent Vedic Purāṣāḍ (once in Rig Veda). I suggest that Purāṇa is apt to be the true reading.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Purasa (पुरस) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Purillā.
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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryPurasā (पुरसा) [Also spelled pursa]:—(nm) a measure of five cubits (equal to the length of a man with hands stretched overhead), a fathom.
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See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Purashamaram, Purashasana, Purashat, Purashata, Purashayin.
Ends with: Vastupurasha.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Purasha, Purāṣa, Purasa, Purasā; (plurals include: Purashas, Purāṣas, Purasas, Purasās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Mundaka Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary (by S. Sitarama Sastri)
Verse 2.1.6 < [Mundaka II, Khanda I]
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter XV - The eighth Bhūmi < [Volume I]