Shvetadvipa, aka: Śvetadvīpa, Śvetadvipa, Shveta-dvipa; 5 Definition(s)

Introduction

Shvetadvipa means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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 terms Śvetadvīpa and Śvetadvipa can be transliterated into English as Svetadvipa or Shvetadvipa, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Śvetadvīpa (श्वेतद्वीप).—An island. It was on this island that Mahāviṣṇu performed his austere tapas for obtaining "Brahma Vidyā". It is situated on the northern side of the ocean of milk. It is 32,000 miles above Meru mountain. The inhabitants of Śvetadvīpa are without the sense organs. They do not take food They are rich in "Jñāna" (knowledge). Their bodies give out perpetual fragrance. These sinless people are of white complexion. Their bodies and bones are as hard as Vajrāyudha. Their heads are as broad and flat as umbrellas and their voice as loud as thunder. Each of them has four arms and sixty teeth. All of them worship Śiva. (Mahābhārata Śānti Parva, Dākṣiṇātya Pāṭha, Chapter 335).

Śvetadvīpa (श्वेतद्वीप).—Sacred to Hari, visited by Nārada.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa VIII. 4. 18; X. 6. 24; 87. 10; XI. 15. 18.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

śvētadvīpa (श्वेतद्वीप).—m S The white dvīpa, the name of an island or a minor continent of the earth. Supposed by Wilford to be Britain (Albion).

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Śvetadvipa (श्वेतद्विप).—

1) a white elephant.

2) the elephant of Indra.

Derivable forms: śvetadvipaḥ (श्वेतद्विपः).

Śvetadvipa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms śveta and dvipa (द्विप). See also (synonyms): śvetagaja.

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Śvetadvīpa (श्वेतद्वीप).—Name of one of the eighteen minor divisions of the known continent; °पतिः (patiḥ) Viṣṇu; श्वेतद्वीपपतिश्चित्तं मनो योगेश्वरोऽवतु (śvetadvīpapatiścittaṃ mano yogeśvaro'vatu) Bhāg.1.6.24; श्वेतद्वीपपतौ चित्तं शुद्धे धर्ममये मयि (śvetadvīpapatau cittaṃ śuddhe dharmamaye mayi) Bhāg.11.15.18.

Derivable forms: śvetadvīpaḥ (श्वेतद्वीपः).

Śvetadvīpa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms śveta and dvīpa (द्वीप).

Śvetadvipa (श्वेतद्विप).—m.

(-paḥ) 1. A White elephant. 2. Indra'S elephant. E. śveta white, and dvipa an elephant.

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Śvetadvīpa (श्वेतद्वीप).—m.

(-paḥ) The white Island, or a minor division of the universe so called; also termed Chandra-Dwipa, and supposed by Wil- Ford to be Britain. E. śveta white, and dvīpa an island; also śveta q. v.

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