Shankhacuda, aka: Śaṅkhacūḍa; 4 Definition(s)

Introduction

Shankhacuda means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 Śaṅkhacūḍa can be transliterated into English as Sankhacuda or Shankhacuda, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Shankhachuda.

In Hinduism

Purana

1) Śaṅkhacūḍa (शङ्खचूड).—An Asura. Sudāmā became this asura as the result of a curse. (For details see under Tulasī, Para 5).

2) Śaṅkhacūḍa (शङ्खचूड).—A slave of Kubera. While Kṛṣṇa and Balabhadra were enjoying pleasures with naked Gopastrīs at Vṛndāvana Śaṅkhacūḍa, attracted by the Gopī women, went there. He abducted the women and in the fight that ensued was killed by Kṛṣṇa, who gave to Balabhadra the precious stone taken from his (Śaṅkhacūḍa's) head. (Bhāgavata, 10th Skandha).

1a) Śaṅkhacūḍa (शङ्खचूड).—A chief Nāga of pātāla.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 24. 31; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 33. 36.

1b) A follower of Kubera. He seized certain gopis whom Kṛṣṇa recovered. He was pursued and his head cut off. His cūḍāmaṇi was presented to Balarāma.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 34. 25-32.

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.

Katha (narrative stories)

Śaṅkhacūḍa (शङ्खचूड) is the name of a Nāga that was to be offered to Garuḍa, when Jīmūtavāhana interfered and offered to take his place instead, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 22. Garuḍa is the “king of the birds”, and mentioned as the son of Vinatā (one of the two wives of Kaśyapa),

Śaṅkhacūḍa (शङ्खचूड) is also mentioned in the sixteenth story of the Vetālapañcaviṃśati in the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 90. Accordingly, Jīmūtavāhana reflected: “... I see this is an unhappy snake, of the name of Śaṅkhacūḍa, who has now been sent by King Vāsuki, to serve as food for Garuḍa...”.

The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Śaṅkhacūḍa, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.

Śaṅkhacūḍa (शङ्खचूड).—Son of Śaṅkhapāla, a nāga mentioned by Soḍḍhala.—According to Śaṅkhacūḍa, the fame of his family was as white as a conch-shell which was a popular standard of comparision for witeness.

context information

Katha (कथा, kathā) refers to narrative Sanskrit literature often inspired from epic legendry (itihasa) and poetry (mahākāvya). Some Kathas reflect socio-political instructions for the King while others remind the reader of important historical event and exploits of the Gods, Heroes and Sages.

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