Purushavrishabha, Puruṣavṛṣabha, Purusha-vrishabha: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Purushavrishabha means something in Jainism, Prakrit. 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 Puruṣavṛṣabha can be transliterated into English as Purusavrsabha or Purushavrishabha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Puruṣavṛṣabha (पुरुषवृषभ) refers to a class of kimpuruṣa deities according to the Śvetāmbara tradition, while the Digambara does not recognize this class. The kimpuruṣas refer to a category of vyantaras gods which represents one of the four classes of celestial beings (devas). The kimpuruṣas are are golden in appearance according to Digambara, but white in complexion with very bright faces according to Śvetāmbara.
The deities such as the Puruṣavṛṣabhas are defined in ancient Jain cosmological texts such as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition or the Tiloyapaṇṇati by Yativṛṣabha (5th century) in the Digambara tradition.
Puruṣavṛṣabha (पुरुषवृषभ) is the name of an ancient king from Aśokā and previous incarnation of Sudarśana, according to chapter 4.5 [dharmanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly:—“Now in the city Aśokā in West Videha in Jambūdvīpa there lived a king, Puruṣavṛṣabha. Always disgusted with existence, knowing the Principles, virtuous, he became a mendicant at the feet of Muni Prajāpāla. After practicing severe penance, he died when the time had come, and became a god in Sahasrāra with a life-term of eighteen samudras (sāgaras)”.
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: Vrishabha, Purusha.
Full-text: Kimpurusha, Ashvapura, Shiva.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Purushavrishabha, Puruṣavṛṣabha, Purusha-vrishabha, Purusa-vrsabha, Purusavrsabha, Puruṣa-vṛṣabha; (plurals include: Purushavrishabhas, Puruṣavṛṣabhas, vrishabhas, vrsabhas, Purusavrsabhas, vṛṣabhas). 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)
Part 7: Previous birth of Sudarśana < [Chapter V - Śrī Dharmanāthacaritra]
Part 10: Birth of the Balabhadra Sudarśana < [Chapter V - Śrī Dharmanāthacaritra]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
How Śākyamuni realized the thirty-two marks in ninety-one kalpas < [Part 4 - The Bodhisattva in the Abhidharma system]