Sharkaraprabha, Sharkara-prabha, Śarkarāprabhā: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Sharkaraprabha means something in Jainism, Prakrit, 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 Śarkarāprabhā can be transliterated into English as Sarkaraprabha or Sharkaraprabha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Wisdom Library: JainismŚarkarāprabhā (शर्कराप्रभा, “pebble-hued”).—Second of the seven lands existing within adholoka (lower world) in Jain cosmology. These seven lands exists in downward order supported by cushions of humid atmosphere (ghana) and dense air/water (ambu), which rests in a ring of thin air (vāta) resting in space (ākāśa).
Adholoka represents the lower section of the universe and hosts the infernal beings that exists within these lands. Śarkarāprabhā features 11 stratas and 2,500,000 dwelling places according to the Bhagavatī-sūtra.
Source: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraŚarkarāprabhā (शर्कराप्रभा) refers to the second of the seven earths of the “lower world” (adhaloka), according to chapter 2.2 [ajitanātha-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:—“the lower world (i.e., adhaloka) is established below the middle world (i.e., madhyaloka) with a depth of seven rajjus less 900 yojanas. In it are seven earths, one below the other, occupying the lower part, in which are the terrifying abodes of the hell-inhabitants. [...] Śarkarāprabhā consists of 2,500,000 hells. [...] In these are the hells, the places for experiencing bad karma. The pain (of punishment), disease, body (its size), age, soul-color, grief, fear, etc., must be known as increasing in the hells in succession”.
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 3: The Lower and middle worldsŚarkarāprabhā (शर्कराप्रभा) or simply Śarkarā refers to one of the seven lands (bhumī) or layers of the underworld (adholoka or naraka), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 3.1. Each ‘land’ of hell has a hue (prabhā), which is an attribute of light. Hence this word is associated with each of the seven lands. That land which is pebble-hued (Śarkarā) is called Śarkarāprabhā. It is also known by the name Vaṃsā.
These seven lands (e.g., śarkarā-prabhā) exist in the downward order (one below the other) with Ratnaprabhā being the topmost supported by the cushions of humid atmosphere (ghana), dense air /water (ambu), which rests in a ring of thin /rarified air (vāta) resting in space (ākāśa). Śarkarāprabhā has two and half million infernal abodes (naraka). The maximum life span of infernal beings in Śarkarāprabhā land is three ocean-mesured-periods (sāgaropama).
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: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚarkarāprabhā (शर्कराप्रभा).—f.
(-bhā) The hell of gravel according to the Jainas, the seecond division of Tartarus. E. śarkarā gravel, prabhā illustrious.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚarkarāprabhā (शर्कराप्रभा):—[=śarkarā-prabhā] [from śarkarā > śarkara] f. ‘gravel. resemblance’, Name of the second of the Jaina hells, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚarkarāprabhā (शर्कराप्रभा):—[śarkarā-prabhā] (bhā) 1. f. A hell of gravel, the second in order.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Sharkara, Prabha.
Full-text: Seven Grounds, Adholoka, Bhumi.
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Search found 5 books and stories containing Sharkaraprabha, Sharkara-prabha, Śarkarāprabhā, Śarkarā-prabhā, Sarkaraprabha, Sarkara-prabha; (plurals include: Sharkaraprabhas, prabhas, Śarkarāprabhās, prabhās, Sarkaraprabhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)
Verse 3.1 - The lower world (adholoka) < [Chapter 3 - The Lower World and the Middle World]
Verse 4.35 - Lifetime from the second infernal region onwards < [Chapter 4 - The Celestial Beings]
Verse 3.6 - The maximum duration of life in the seven infernal regions < [Chapter 3 - The Lower World and the Middle World]
Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti) (by K. C. Lalwani)
Chapter 3: On the worlds (pṛthivī) < [Book 2]
Part 12 - On celestial positions < [Chapter 2]
Chapter 32: An interview with Gāṅgeya < [Book 9]
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Subdivisions of Pañcendriyas < [Appendix 1.4: The nine tattvas]
Part 17: Description of the Lower World (adhaloka) < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]
Jainism and Patanjali Yoga (Comparative Study) (by Deepak bagadia)
Part 3.4 - Nine Elements (1): Jiva (self, soul) < [Chapter 3 - Jain Philosophy and Practice]
Yogadrstisamuccaya of Haribhadra Suri (Study) (by Riddhi J. Shah)
Chapter 3.5 - Introduction and Brief Account of the Eight Yogadṛṣṭis < [Chapter 3 - Introduction to the Yogadṛṣṭisamuccaya]