In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Saudharma (सौधर्म) 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 Saudharmakalpa. In this specific kalpa, bodily coition is still performed and the associated leśyā is fiery. There are ten such kalpas being ruled over by sixty-four Indras (heavenly kings).

In Jain iconography, the associated animal symbol of the Saudharma-kalpa is an antelope (prakrit: miya, sanskrit: mṛga). 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: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 4: The celestial beings (deva)

Saudharma (सौधर्म) refers to one of 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.

Why the first lord of this heaven is called Saudharma Indra? Because of his association with Saudharma kalpa, he is called Indra. What is the number of layers in Saudharma and Aiśāna heavens? There are thirty one layers there. Which thought-colourations are there in Saudharma and Aiśāna gods? They have yellow thought-colouration. What is the minimum lifespan of deities in Saudharma and Aiśāna kalpas? It is slightly more than one pit-measured-period (kalya) in both.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

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

Saudharma (सौधर्म):—m. ([from] su-dharma) ‘having rectitude’, a [particular] abode of the gods (with Jainas), [Hemacandra’s Pariśiṣṭaparvan]

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

Saudharma (सौधर्म) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Sohamma.

[Sanskrit to German]

Saudharma 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.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Saudharma (ಸೌಧರ್ಮ):—[noun] (jain.) name of the first 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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with: Saudharmaja, Saudharmakalpa, Saudharmasabha.

Full-text (+5): Saudharmakalpa, Saudharmaja, Saudharmya, Kalpa, Saudharmendra, Sohamma, Vaimanika, Shakra, Aishana, Ibhapura, Indra, Gandhasamriddhaka, Upapada, Shatabala, Pushpaka, Harivamsha, Sudharma, Urdhvaloka, Candrakirti, Kalpopapanna.

Relevant text

Search found 4 books and stories containing Saudharma; (plurals include: Saudharmas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti) (by K. C. Lalwani)

Part 3 - Upward movement of Asurakumāras < [Chapter 2]

Part 12 - On celestial positions < [Chapter 2]

Part 13 - Why Asurakumāras go to Saudharma-kalpa: a second reason < [Chapter 2]

+ 18 more chapters / show preview

Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)

Verse 4.19 - The sixteen Kalpa, nine Graiveyaka and five Anuttara < [Chapter 4 - The Celestial Beings]

Verse 4.33 - The minimum lifetime in Saudharma and Aiśāna kalpa < [Chapter 4 - The Celestial Beings]

Verse 4.29 - Lifetime in the first two Kalpa among the heavenly beings < [Chapter 4 - The Celestial Beings]

+ 7 more chapters / show preview

Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Part 16: Eighth incarnation as a god (in Saudharma) < [Chapter I]

Part 5: Third incarnation as a god in Saudharma < [Chapter I]

Part 3: Second incarnation as a god < [Chapter I - Previous incarnations of Ariṣṭanemi (Nemi)]

+ 72 more chapters / show preview

Kalpa-sutra (Lives of the Jinas) (by Hermann Jacobi)

Life of Mahavira, Lecture 2

show preview