Sabhakanya, Sabhākanyā, Sabha-kanya: 1 definition

Introduction:

Sabhakanya 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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Sabhakanya in Jainism glossary
Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha

Sabhākanyā (सभाकन्या) or Aṣṭakanyā refers to the “eight auspicious girls” (representing the eight celestial nymphs of Indra’s heaven), according to Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—Page 93.17-8: There is a list of Eight auspicious girls holding respectively sprouted water-jars, fan-palm, fly-whisk, parasol, mirror, mṛdaṅga, harp, drum and cloth and ornaments. These were regarded as eight celestial nymphs of Indra’s heaven and frequently referred in literature as aṣṭakanyā or sabhākanyā. They are mentioned as forming part of the articles collected for Rāma’s coronation (Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa 15.8) and that of Sugrīva where their number became sixteen.

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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.

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