Sanatkumara, Sanatkumāra, Shanatkumara, Śanatkumāra, Sanat-kumara: 26 definitions

Introduction:

Sanatkumara means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. 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 Śanatkumāra can be transliterated into English as Sanatkumara or Shanatkumara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Sanatkumara in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार).—One of the Sanakādis.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1) Śanatkumāra (शनत्कुमार).—A son of Anala;1 sacred to Kurukṣetra;2 discovered yoga;3 attended Soma's rājasūya.4

  • 1) Vāyu-purāṇa 66. 24; 101. 26, 37, 75, 212; 105. 2; 112. 68.
  • 2) Ib. 77. 64.
  • 3) Ib. 83. 84.
  • 4) Ib. 90. 23.

2a) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार).—A son of Brahmā and elder brother of Śiva; met by Pṛthu, he taught him ātmajñāna; one of the twelve who knew of Hari's dharma; did not comprehend his māyā; present at the anointing of Vāmana; praised the Lord and Aditi;1 with other sages serve the Ganges;2 Bhagavān asked Nandikeśvara about the shrines where Maheśvara stands pillar like (Sthāṇu);3 created first with Ṛbhu and Kratu; when born was called Kumāra;4 a son of Kanka, an avatār of Śiva was under father's control;5 one of the chief sages;6 spoke to Aila on the śrāddha.7

  • 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa I. 3. 6; III. 8. 3; 12. 4; IV. 16. 25; 17. 5. 22. 6, 18-40; 23. 9 and 41; VI. 3. 20; VIII. 23. 20, 26-7; IX. 4. 57; XI. 16. 25; Matsya-purāṇa 4. 27.
  • 2) Ib. 160. 16.
  • 3) Ib. 141. 77; 162. 13; 181. 2-4.
  • 4) Vāyu-purāṇa 9. 72, 106; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa I. 5. 79.
  • 5) Vāyu-purāṇa 23. 132; 24. 79: 25. 92; 30. 85; 35. 45; 56. 86.
  • 6) Ib. 5. 4.
  • 7) Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 14. 11.

2b) A son of Āyu;1 a Vairāja god in Tapolokam;2 spoke of Mārtāṇḍa episode;3 in Kurukṣetra;4 present at Soma's Rājasūya.5

  • 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 3. 24.
  • 2) Ib. IV. 2. 214, 35.
  • 3) Ib. III. 7. 296.
  • 4) Ib. III: 10. 87; 13. 66.
  • 5) Ib. III. 19. 54; 64. 24.
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.61.91) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Sanatkumāra) 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

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) is the name of a Sage described in the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, chapter twenty-one deals with the first creation (ādisarga) of the universe by Śiva while chapter twenty-two describes creation by Brahmā in the Vārāhakalpa. Herein five types of creation are enumerated. Chapter twenty-three describes the birth of the sage Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumāra etc. and the creation by Rudra born from Brahmā’s forehead.

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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Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Archaeological Survey of India: Śaiva monuments at Paṭṭadakal (śilpa)

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) is found as a sculpture on the third pillar of the maṇḍapa of the temple of Kāśīviśveśvara.—Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanat and Sanatkumāra, the four sages, sons of Brahmā, to whom Śiva explains the secrets of Veda through his yogic power. All four sages are sitting with folded hands signifying that they are listening to him. They are also with a yogapaṭṭa.

Shilpashastra book cover
context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

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Yoga (school of philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Sanatkumara in Yoga glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Yoga

Sanatkumāra is one of the eighty-four Siddhas associated with eighty-four Yogic postures (āsanas), according to popular tradition in Jodhpur, Rājasthān. These posture-performing Siddhas are drawn from illustrative sources known as the Nava-nātha-caurāsī-siddha from Vȧrāṇasī and the Nava-nātha-caruāsī-siddha-bālāsundarī-yogamāyā from Puṇe. They bear some similarity between the eighty-four Siddhas painted on the walls of the sanctum of the temple in Mahāmandir.

The names of these Siddhas (e.g., Sanatkumāra) to 19th-century inscription on a painting from Jodhpur, which is labelled as “Maharaja Mansing and eighty-four Yogis”. The association of Siddhas with yogis reveals the tradition of seeing Matsyendra and his disciple Gorakṣa as the founders of haṭhayoga.

Yoga book cover
context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

[«previous next»] — Sanatkumara in Pancaratra glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Pancaratra (Samhita list)

1) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) is the name of an ancient Pāñcarātra Saṃhitā mentioned in the Kapiñjalasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra work consisting of 1550 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as worship in a temple, choosing an Ācārya, architecture, town-planning and iconography.—For the list of works, see chapter 1, verses 14b-27. The list [including Sanatkumāra-saṃhitā] was said to have comprised “108” titles, these, different saṃhitās named after different manifestations of the Lord or different teachers. They are all said to be authoritative as the ultimate promulgator of all these is the same Nārāyaṇa.

2) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) is the name of an ancient Pāñcarātra Saṃhitā mentioned in the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—[Cf. Jñānapāda chapter 1, verses 99-114]—First is explained the folly of following more than one Saṃhitā for a single series of rituals. Then the names of the 108 Tantras of the Pāñcarātra corpus are named [e.g., Sanatkumāra]. Even those who repeat these 108 titles will gain salvation.

3) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) or Sanatkumāratantra is classified as a “Rājasa” type of Pāñcarātra text, according to the Pārameśvarasaṃhitā: an important Pāñcarātra text of 8700 verses followed closely by the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam—dealing with priestly concerns such as their daily routines, occasional liturgies and expiatory services.—[Cf. chapter 10 verses 374-386a].

4) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) or Sanatkumārasaṃhitā 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.

5) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) 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.

6) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) or Sanatkumārasaṃhitā 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).

7) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) or Sanatkumārasaṃhitā is also mentioned in the Viśvāmitrasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2600 Sanskrit verses covering topics such as initiation (dīkṣā) and the construction, decoration and consecration of temples and icons, as well as routines of regular and special worship cycles.—

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) or Sanatkumārasaṃhitā is the name of a Pāñcarātra Āgama text written in over 3500 Sanskrit metrical verses consisting of 37 chapters divided into five sections, of which four remain—the brahmarātra, śivarātra, indrarātra and the ṛṣirātra. There is no apparent narrative framework; instead, what we have is a monologue in which Sanatkumāra narrates in turn what he learned from Brahmā, Śiva, Indra and some ancient sages on such matters as mantras, mudrās, maṇḍalas, dīkṣā, yoga, prāsāda, pratimā, pratiṣṭhā and prāyaścitta. [...]

Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva (pancaratra)

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) or Sanatkumārasaṃhitā is the name of a Vaiṣṇava Āgama scripture, classified as a rājasa type of the Muniprokta group of Pāñcarātra Āgamas. The vaiṣṇavāgamas represent one of the three classes of āgamas (traditionally communicated wisdom).—Texts of the Pāñcara Āgamas are divided in to two sects. It is believed that Lord Vāsudeva revealed the first group of texts which are called Divya and the next group is called Muniprokta which are further divided in to three viz. a. Sāttvika. b. Rājasa (e.g., Sanatkumāra-saṃhitā). c. Tāmasa.

Pancaratra book cover
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.

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In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Sanatkumara in Jainism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) refers to a heavenly abode (kalpa) inhabited by Kalpopapanna gods, according to Jain cosmological texts in both the Śvetāmbara and Digambara tradition. The Kalpopapannas (‘those born in the heavens’) represent a sub-species of the Vaimānika gods, which in turn represents the fourth main classification of devas (gods). This kalpa is also known as Sanatkumārakalpa. In this specific kalpa, instead of bodily coition, a more and more refined sort of sexual satisfaction takes its place. The associated leśyā is lotus-pink. There are ten such kalpas being ruled over by sixty-four Indras (heavenly kings).

In Jain iconography, the associated animal symbol of the Śanatkumārakalpa is a boar (prakrit and sanskrit: varāha). These animals are depicted in a cosmological text of the Śvetāmbara tradition known as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna (“jewel of the compilation”), also known as the Trailokyadīpikā (“illumination of the triple world”), written by Śrīcandra in the 12th century.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार), the son of Sahadevī and Aśvasena, is one of the Cakrins (Cakravartins), according to chapter 1.6 [ādīśvara-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: “[...] In Bharata there will be twenty-three other Arhats and eleven other Cakrins. [...] The Cakrins will belong to the gotra of Kaśyapa, gold-color, and eight of them will go to mokṣa. [...] In Śrāvastī, Maghavan, the son of Bhadrā and Samudravijaya, will live for five lacs of years, forty-two and a half bows tall. Sanatkumāra, with a life of three lacs of years, in Hastināpura, one bow less than the former height, will be the son of Sahadevī and Aśvasena. In the interval between Dharma and Śānti, these two will go to the third heaven”.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 4: The celestial beings (deva)

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) refers to one of the sixteen heavens (kalpa) hosting the sixteen classes of empyrean celestial beings (vaimānika), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 4.19. The living beings residing in the vimānas are called the empyrean gods (vaimānika) and represents one of the four classes of Devas.

What is the number of layers in Sanatkumāra and Māhendra heavens? Which thought-colourations are there in Sanatkumāra-Māhendra gods? They have yellow and pink thought-colourations. What is the maximum lifespan of deities in Sanatkumāra and Māhendra kalpa? It is seven ocean-measured-periods (sāgara) for both.

Source: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection I

1) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) or Sanatkumārakathā refers to one of the 157 stories embedded in the Kathāmahodadhi by Somacandra (narrating stories from Jain literature, based on the Karpūraprakara), which is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—The Kathāmahodadhi represents a repository of 157 stories [e.g., Sanatkumāra-kathā] written in prose Sanskrit, although each of them is preceded by a verse. Together, they stage a large number of Jain characters (including early teachers). [...]

2) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) is the name of a work by Samayasundara—A song in praise of the fourth Cakravartin.

3) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) is the fourth Cakravartin, according to the Sanatakumārarāsa.—Prince Sanatkumāra, the fourth Cakravartin, was the son of King Āsaseṇa and queen Sahadevī in Hastināpura. He learnt the arts quickly. One day he went to the forest to play with his friend Sīhamahiṃda. Because of his horse of inverted training he was carried away inside the forest. His father was very sad. Sīhamahiṃda went to search for him and discovered him surrounded by ladies and enjoying various pastimes. [...]

General definition book cover
context information

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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India history and geography

Source: Wisdom Library: Teachers, Saints and Sages

1) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) or Sanatkumāranātha refers to one of the eighty-four Siddhas (Siddhācāryas) mentioned in various sources as being representative teachers of Sahajiya Tantrism, Alchemy, Nath Sampradaya and other traditions having influence in the Indian subcontinent and the Himalayas.—Many of these Mahāsiddhas [e.g., Sanatkumāra-nātha] were historical figures whose lives and mystical powers were the subject of legends. They are often associated with teachings belonging to Hinduism, Buddhism, Ajivikism and Jainism and are evident of a caste-less interreligious spiritual society.

2) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) is another name for Janakumarar—one of the Siddhars (Siddhas) and Rishis mentioned by Rangarasa Desiga Swamigal in his Siddhargal Potri Thoguppu. Each name in the list starts with prefix ‘Om’ followed by the Siddhar’s names and ends with refrain ‘Thiruvadigal Potri’. For example for Sanatkumāra: ஓம் ஜனக்குமாரர் திருவடிகள் போற்றி [ōm janakkumarar tiruvaṭikaḷ pōṟṟi].—These Siddhas experienced union with the ultimate reality and witnessed a spiritual transformation of their intellectual, mental, vital and ultimately, physical bodies.

India history book cover
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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Sanatkumara in Marathi glossary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार).—m S (Always a youth. A proper name of one of the four sons of Brahma.) A term for a continent or sanctified person; one retaining, through life, the purity and innocency of the unadult period.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

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Sanskrit dictionary

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

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार).—Name of one of the four sons of Brahman.

Derivable forms: sanatkumāraḥ (सनत्कुमारः).

Sanatkumāra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms sanat and kumāra (कुमार).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार).—(= Pali Sanaṃk°; doubtless in some sense to be identified with Sanskrit Sanatk°), n. or epithet of a (Mahā)brahman: Mahāvastu ii.197.5 (verse; °ra-pratimo kumāro, mss. °rā, dyutimān ayaṃ); iii.212.10 (verse; em., pṛcchāmi Brahmāṇaṃ °raṃ); 344.4 (verse; °ro, in 6 Brahmā).

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

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार).—m.

(-raḥ) 1. One of the four sons of Brahma, and eldest of the progenitors of mankind. 2. One of the twelve emperors of India according to the Jainas. E. sanat always, kumāra a youth: i. e. continent; retaining the purity of that age, or being devoid of human passion; otherwise, sanat Brahma, and kusāra son.

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

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार).—m. one of the four sons of Brahman, and eldest of the progenitors of mankind.

Sanatkumāra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms sanad and kumāra (कुमार).

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

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार).—[masculine] the eternal youth, [Name] of a Ṛṣi.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

1) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—See Sanatkumāropapurāṇa.

2) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार):—on architecture. Quoted by Viṭṭhala Oxf. 341^a, and Rāmrāj: Vāstuśāstra.

3) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार):—Sakalagranthadīpikā lex.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार):—[=sanat-kumāra] [from sanat > sana] m. ‘always a youth’ or ‘son of Brahmā’, Name of one of the four or seven sons of Brahmā (cf. sanaka; he is said to be the oldest of the progenitors of mankind [= vaidhātra q.v.], and sometimes identified with Skanda and Pradyumna, he is also the supposed author of an Upa-purāṇa and other works; with Jainas he is one of the 12 Sārvabhaumas or Cakravartins ; the Name of Sanat-kumāra is sometimes given to any great saint who retains youthful purity), [Chāndogya-upaniṣad; Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa] etc.

2) Sānatkumāra (सानत्कुमार):—mfn. relating to Sanat-kumāra

3) m. [plural] a [particular] class of gods, [Dharmaśarmābhyudaya]

4) n. Name of an Upa-purāṇa.

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

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार):—[sana-tkumāra] (raḥ) 1. m. One of the four sons of Brahmā; one of the twelve emperors of India according to the Jainas.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Sanatkumāra (सनत्कुमार) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Saṇaṃkumāra.

[Sanskrit to German]

Sanatkumara 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.

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Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Sanatkumara in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Sanatkumāra (ಸನತ್ಕುಮಾರ):—

1) [noun] name of a sage, who is one of the sons of Brahma.

2) [noun] (jain.) the third of the sixteen heavens.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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