Sena, aka: Senā, Shena; 15 Definition(s)
Introduction
Sena means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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.
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Senā also means human body. Sensory organs are the soldiers and the chief of soldiers means the mind. Mind is the controller of all sensory organs.
Source: Manblunder: Sri Rudram 4.7-17
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Sena (सेन).—Son of King Ṛṣabha. It is mentioned in Bhāgavata, Skandha 5 that this king had nineteen sons including Sena.
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopaediaSena (सेन).—A son of Bṛhadratha.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 48. 22.
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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Senā (सेना) denotes primarily a ‘missile’, a sense found in the Rigveda and the Atharvaveda, and then a ‘host’ or ‘army’, which is its normal meaning. See Saṃgrāma.
Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and SubjectsIn Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
1. Sena
King of Ceylon (Sena I., 831-51 A.C.). He was the younger brother and the successor of Aggabodhi IX. He had three younger brothers: Mahinda, Kassapa and Udaya. His queen was Sangha. During his reign the Pandu king invaded Ceylon, and Sena had to retire into the Malaya district. After the army of the Pandu king had plundered a great part of the kingdom, Sena made a treaty with him and re gained his throne. He adopted the three sons and the three daughters of Kittaggabodhi: Kassapa, Sena and Udaya, and Sangha, Tissa and Kitti. Among the kings good acts was the construction of a monastery on Aritthapabbata for the Pamsukulikas, and a many storeyed pasada in Jetavana. He also built the Virankurarama, the Pubbarama, Sangha sena parivena, Senaggabodhi vihara, a refectory in the Mahamettapabbata vihara, and single cells in the Kappura and Uttaralha parivenas. He completed the Dappulapabbata- and the Kassaparajaka viharas. Among Senas ministers were Bhadda (the senapati), Uttara, Vajira and Rakkhasa. His capital was in Pulatthinagara (Cv.l.1ff). He was also known as Silamegha (Cv.l.43).
2. Sena
Son of the Adipada Kassapa, and therefore nephew of Sena I. On the death of his father, Sena became king as Sena II. (851-85 A.C.). He married Sangha, daughter of Kittaggabodhi, and had a son, Kassapa. Sena sent an expeditionary force against the Pandu king, captured Madhura, and brought back the treasures which had been pillaged by the Pandus in the time of Sena I. The Pamsukulika monks separated from the incumbents of Abhayagiri in the twentieth year of Senas reign. He built the Manimekhala dam and a dam across the Kanavapi at Katthantanagara. He endowed various monasteries - Buddhagama, Mahiyangana, Kutatissa, Mandalagiri, and Sobbha - and held a special ceremony in honour of the image of Ananda. He held a consecration festival at the Hemavaluka cetiya (Maha Thupa), and decreed that this festival should be repeated annually. His senapati was Kutthaka. Cv.li.1ff.
3. Sena. Son of Kittaggabodhi. Cv.l.56.
4. Sena. Called Mahalekhaka Sena. He was a minister of Kassapa V. and built the Mahalekhakapabbata house in the Mahavihara (Cv.lii.33). His mother was Nala. Cv.Trs. i.138, n.3; 165, n.1.
5. Sena. Uparaja of Udaya III., and later Sena III., king of Ceylon (937-45 A.D.). According to some accounts he was the brother of Udaya III. He observed the uposatha day regularly, and among his benefactions was the Dandissara offering to mendicant artists. He made the stone paving of Abhayuttara cetiya and endowed the Nagasala parivena. Cv.liii.13, 28ff.
6. Sena. Uparaja of Udaya IV., and afterwards king of Ceylon (Sena IV. 953-6 A.D.). He was learned, and used to explain the suttantas in the Lohapasada. Because of his piety, the gods sent timely rain.
7.. Daughter of Kassapa, yuvaraja of Udaya II. She married the kings brothers son. Cv.li.93.
8. Queen of Udaya I. Cv.xlix.2.
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesTheravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Senā (सेना) is the name of a Ḍākinī who, together with the Vīra (hero) named Sena forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the Vāyucakra, according to the 10th century Ḍākārṇava chapter 15. Accordingly, the vāyucakra refers to one of the three divisions of the dharma-puṭa (‘dharma layer’), situated in the Herukamaṇḍala. The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs [viz., Senā] and Vīras are dark blue in color; they each have one face and four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife.
Source: academia.edu: The Structure and Meanings of the Heruka Maṇḍala
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Senā (सेना) is the mother of Saṃbhava according to Śvetāmbara (according to Digambara she is named Suṣeṇā), according to the Ācāradinakara (14th century work on Jain conduct written by Vardhamāna Sūri). Saṃbhava is the third of twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras in Janism. A Tīrthaṅkara is an enlightened being who has conquered saṃsāra (cycle of birth and death), leaving behind him a path for others to follow.
The husband of Senā is Jitari. It is an ancient Jain practice to worship the Tīrthaṅkara’s parents in various rites, such as the pratiṣṭhāvidhi.
Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism
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.
India history and geogprahy
Tamil princes Sena and Gutta (probably, Velir princes) subjugated Sura Tissa and reined over Sri Lanka for 20 or 22 years. Prince Asela, the son of Mahashiva put Sena and Gutta to death and reigned ten years. Chola Prince Elara or Elala killed Asela and reined over Sri Lanka for 44 years. Sri Lankan Prince Abhaya Duttagamini, the son of Kakavanna, defeated Elala and reigned for 24 years.
Source: academia.edu: The Chronological History of Ancient Sri LankaSena is the name of an ancient dynasty from Bengal where Shaivism thrived between the 10th and 12th centuries, according to Dr. Akhilesh K. Dubey (2005). He notes several grants to temples, Śaiva Brāhmaṇas and ascetics of śaiva mutts. The Cāhamānas (of Śākambharī, Jāvalīpura and Naḍḍūla), the Paramāras of Mālvā, Pālas and Senas of Bengal, the Gāhaḍavālas of Kanauj, the Candellas and the Kalacūrīs of Tripurī were all staunch Śaivites. There is also evidence of Śaiva Brāhmaṇas migrating from various places to propagate their wisdom and teachings.
Source: Shodhganga: Temple management in the Āgamas (history)
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as 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.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
sena : (m.) a hawk. || senā (f.) an army.
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English DictionarySenā, (Vedic senā2 perhaps fr. si to bind) an army Vin. I, 241; IV, 104 sq. (where described as consisting of hatthī, assā, rathā, pattī), 160; S. I, 112; A. III, 397; V, 82; J. II, 94; Miln. 4; Nd1 95 (Māra°), 174 (id.).
— or —
1) Sena, 2 (Sk. śyena) a hawk J. I, 273; II, 51, 60; DhA. II, 267. (Page 723)
2) Sena, 1 (=sayana) lying, sleeping; couch, bed J. V, 96 (=sayana). (Page 723)
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Marathi-English dictionary
śēṇa (शेण).—n Dung of a bull, bullock, cow, or buffalo. Pr. śēṇa paḍalēṃ asatāṃ mātī ghēūna uṭhatēṃ. 2 Applied, with reference to the quality of softness and squashiness, to rotting fruits, flowers, leaves &c. 3 f A piece of cowdung, whether a cake formed through mashing, kneading, and drying, or a lump as lying on the ground. śēṇa as n denotes the material, śēṇa as f signifies a bit of it. śēṇa khāṇēṃ (To eat cowdung.) A phrase constantly in the mouth of the people concerning a person whom it is designed to revile as idling and dawdling, or as doing some foolish or fruitless action, or as making some nonsensical or irrelevant observations. See kēḷēṃ khāṇēṃ.
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śēna (शेन).—m (śyēna S) A hawk. śēnī f (śyēnī S) A female hawk.
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śēna (शेन).—ind A vulgar expletive explained under śī.
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sēnā (सेना).—f (S) An army, a force, a body of troops.
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryśēṇa (शेण).—n Dung of a cow, &c. f Piece of cowdung.
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śēna (शेन).—m A hawk.
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sēnā (सेना).—f An army, a force, a body of troops.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-EnglishMarathi 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.
Sanskrit-English dictionary
Sena (सेन).—a. Having a lord, possessing a master or leader.
-nam The body.
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Senā (सेना).—[si-na, saha inena prabhuṇā vā Uṇ. 3.1]
1) An army; सेना परिच्छदस्तस्य द्वयमेवार्थसाधनम् (senā paricchadastasya dvayamevārthasādhanam) R.1.19.
2) Army personified as the wife of Kārtikeya, the god of war; cf. देवसेना (devasenā).
3) A small army (consisting of 3 elephants, 3 chariots, 9 horse and 15 foot).
4) Any body of men.
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryŚeṇā (शेणा).—f.
(-ṇā) Understanding, mind, intellect.
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Sena (सेन).—f.
(-nā) Adj. Having a lord.
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Senā (सेना).—f.
(-nā) 1. An army. 2. A goddess, commonly known by Deva-Sena, the personified armament of the gods, the wife of Kartikeya. 3. The mother of the third Jaina pontiff of the present era. E. ṣi to bind, nak and ṭāp aff.; or sa with, ina a lord or leader.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionarySanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. 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.
Relevant definitions
Starts with (+111): Sena-adhikarika, Sena-adhipa, Sena-adi-bahattara-niyoga-adhishthayaka, Sena-bhakta, Sena-bhoga, Sena-gana, Senabhanga, Senabhara, Senabhogika, Senabindu, Senabindupura, Senabova, Senabyuha, Senacara, Senachara, Senachitta, Senacitta, Senadhipati, Senagalaguduru, Senagama.
Ends with (+168): Abhishena, Adityasena, Advishena, Aharasena, Ajitasena, Amitrasena, Anangasena, Anayasasena, Anicchasena, Anichchhasena, Apassena, Arshtishena, Ashushena, Ashvasena, Ashvishena, Assasena, Asthisena, Aswasena, Atthisena, Augrasena.
Full-text (+282): Senanga, Senaraksha, Virasena, Nrisena, Bhimasena, Sheni, Senapati, Manimekhala-pasada, Mahanettapabbata, Ayonisha, Senamukha, Ugrasena, Samsparisha, Shenavani, Senakhasakhela, Indrasena, Shenapoterem, Shenapa, Sarakhela, Shenaki.
Relevant text
Search found 36 books and stories containing Sena, Senā, Shena, Śēṇa, Śeṇa, Śēna, Śena, Sēnā, Śeṇā; (plurals include: Senas, Senās, Shenas, Śēṇas, Śeṇas, Śēnas, Śenas, Sēnās, Śeṇās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 28 - Preparations of Devas and Daityas for War < [Section 1 - Kedāra-khaṇḍa]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Bodhisattva quality 12: having passed beyond the works of Māra < [Chapter X - The Qualities of the Bodhisattvas]
The Padhāna-sutta < [Chapter XXV - Patience Toward the Dharma]
Appendix 3 - Balance of power between the Devas and the Asuras < [Chapter XLVI - Venerating with the Roots of Good]
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 5: Treatment of various afflictions (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 6 - Chemists of the Metallic School: Chandra Sena < [A Brief History of Indian Chemistry and Medicine]
Part 4 - Chemists of the Metallic School: Introduction < [A Brief History of Indian Chemistry and Medicine]
A Short history of Lanka (by Humphry William Codrington)
Chapter III - The medieval kingdom to the Chola conquest in the eleventh century (479 AD—1070AD)
Chapter I - The Beginnings and the conversion to Buddhism (543 BC—161 BC)
Kautilya Arthashastra (by R. Shamasastry)
Chapter 1 - Encampment < [Book 10 - Relating to War]
Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya) (by G.V. Tagare)