Shabala, aka: Śabala, Sabalā, Sabala; 15 Definition(s)

Introduction

Shabala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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 Śabala can be transliterated into English as Sabala or Shabala, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Śabala (शबल) is the Sanskrit name of one of Bharata’s sons, mentioned in the Nāṭyaśāstra 1.26-33. After Brahmā created the Nāṭyaveda (nāṭyaśāstra), he ordered Bharata to teach the science to his (one hundred) sons. Bharata thus learned the Nāṭyaveda from Brahmā, and then made his sons study and learn its proper application. After their study, Bharata assigned his sons (eg., Śabala) various roles suitable to them.

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing dramatic plays (nataka) and poetic works (kavya).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Śabala (शबल).—A nāga born to Kaśyapaprajāpati of his wife Kadrū. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 85, Verse 7).

1a) Śabala (शबल).—A son of Sarama.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 312.

1b) A hell, reached by those who indulge in unrighteous sexual unions^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 2. 147, 158; Vāyu-purāṇa 101. 146, 157.

1c) One of the two dogs of the family of Vaivasvata to whom Bali is to be offered at Gayā.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 108. 30; 111. 39.

1d) Sons of Kallolaha.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 442.

1e) The 1000 sons of Dakṣa through Vairiṇī who died in the attempt to get at the measurement of the earth by following their elder brothers.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 5. 9.

Śabala (शबल) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.35.7) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Śabala) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

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.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

A dog of the Lokantaraniraya. It has iron teeth which it uses on the victims of that Niraya. J.vi.247.

-- or --

. An eminent Theri of Jambudipa, expert in the Vinaya. Dpv.xviii.10.

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Śabala (शबल) refers to one of the dogs part of the four utsadas of the Avīci hell according to the “world of transmigration” section in the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XXVII).—Accordingly, “two evil dogs, Che mo (Śyāma) and Che p’o lo (Śabala), fierce beasts with iron gullets, tear at the sinews and bones of these damned. These dogs are as strong as tigers and as fierce as lions”.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Śabala (शबल).— The śabalas are a group of celestial beings living in the lower regions of adholoka (lower world) according to Jaina cosmology. Adholoka is made up of seven regions and offers residence to the infernal beings existing within these lands.

Sabala (सबल, “spotted”) is a Prakrit name indicating defects of the body, representing a rule when deriving personal names as mentioned in the Aṅgavijjā chapter 26. This chapter includes general rules to follow when deriving proper names. The Aṅgavijjā (mentioning sabala) is an ancient treatise from the 3rd century CE dealing with physiognomic readings, bodily gestures and predictions and was written by a Jain ascetic in 9000 Prakrit stanzas.

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

Pali-English dictionary

sabala : (adj.) strong; spotted; variegated.

Sabala, (Vedic śabala (e.g. A. V, 8, 1, 9)=kέrberos, Weber, Ind. Stud. II. 297) spotted, variegated Sn. 675; Vism. 51; VvA. 253; name of one of the dogs in the Lokantara hell J. VI, 106, 247 (Sabálo ca Sāmo ca). asabala, unspotted D. II, 80.

context information

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

1) Śabala (शबल).—a S Variegated. 2 Confounded or confusedly intermingled.

śabala (शबल).—n S Confused or tumultuous intermixture.

2) sabala (सबल).—a (S) pop. sabaḷa a Strong, powerful, vigorous.

3) sabaḷa (सबळ).—a See under sabala.

4) sābaḷā (साबळा).—a (Or sābaḍā) Plain, simple, tranquil, gentle; void of forwardness, bustlingness, or meddlesomeness.

1) Śabala (शबल).—a Variegated. n Confused intermixture.

2) sabala (सबल) [-ḷa, -ळ].—a Strong, powerful, vigorous.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Śabala (शबल).—a. (śap-ala, baśca Uṇ.1.99)

1) Spotted, brindled, variegated; क्वचित् प्रभा चान्द्रमसी तमोभिश्छायाविलीनैः शबलीकृतेव (kvacit prabhā cāndramasī tamobhiśchāyāvilīnaiḥ śabalīkṛteva) R.13.56;5.44; Mv.7.26.

2) Varied, devided into various parts.

3) Articulate; imitative.

4) Mixed; आनन्दशोकशबलत्वमुपैति चेतः (ānandaśokaśabalatvamupaiti cetaḥ) Māl.9.54.

5) Disfigured, pale; चिन्तया शबलं मुखम् (cintayā śabalaṃ mukham) Bhāg.6.14.21.

6) Disturbed, afflicted; अत्युत्कण्ठः शबलहृदयोऽस्मद्विधो बाष्पधाराः (atyutkaṇṭhaḥ śabalahṛdayo'smadvidho bāṣpadhārāḥ) Bhāg.1.9.2.

-laḥ A variegated colour.

-lā, -lī 1 A spotted or brindled cow.

2) The cow of plenty or Kāmadhenu q. v.

-lam Water.

--- OR ---

Sabala (सबल).—a. Accompanied by a force or army.

Śabala (शबल).—f. (-lā or lī) A spotted cow.

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