Sovira, Sovīra: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Sovira means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India. 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 Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesA country mentioned in the Mahagovinda Sutta (D.ii.235), and again in the Aditta Jataka (J.iii.470; cf. Mil.359, where it is mentioned as a place to be visited by sea).
In the time of King Renu, Bharata was king of Sovira, and Roruka was its capital.
Cunningham identifies Sovira with Eder, a district in the province of Gujerat, at the head of the gulf of Cambay. (Anct. Geog. of India, p.569f.; he identifies Sauvira with Sophir or Ophir; cf. Hopkins, Great Epic, 373, 474.).
The compound Sindhu Sovira (E.g., VvA.332) suggests that Sovira was situated between the Indus and the Jhelum.
Theravāda 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).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection ISovīra (सोवीर) (in Prakrit) refers to Āchaṇa, or “water which has been used to wash a pot in which sour gruel is kept” and represents one of 21 kinds of liquids (which the Jain mendicant should consider before rejecting or accepting them), according to the “Sajjhāya ekavīsa pāṇī nī” (dealing with the Monastic Discipline section of Jain Canonical literature) included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—This topic is explained with reference to the first aṅga (i.e. Ācārāṅgasūtra). This matter is distributed over the end of section 7 and the beginning of section 8 of the Piṇḍesaṇā chapter. [...] The technical terms [e.g., sovīra] used here are either borrowed from the Prakrit or rendered into the vernacular equivalents.—Note: Āchaṇa is known in Prakrit as Sovīra and in Sanskrit as Āranāla.
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 geography
Source: Ancient Buddhist Texts: Geography of Early BuddhismSovīra (सोवीर) is the name of a locality situated in Aparāntaka (western district) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—In the Āditta Jātaka mention is made of the kingdom of Sovīra of which the capital was Roruka. Sovīra, has been identified by Cunningham with Eder, a district in the provinces of Gujerat at the head of the Gulf of Cambay. The name Sindhu-Sauvīra suggests that Sovīra was situated between the Indus and the Jhelum.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, 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
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary1) Sovīra (सोवीर) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Sauvīra.
2) Sovīrā (सोवीरा) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Sauvīrā.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Sovira Jataka, Soviraka.
Full-text: Sauvira, Roruka, Sindhu, Sour gruel, Aditta Jataka, Achana, Aranala, Rishika, Renu, Bharata.
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Sovira, Sovīra, Sōvīra, Sovīrā, Sōvīrā; (plurals include: Soviras, Sovīras, Sōvīras, Sovīrās, Sōvīrās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 6 - Division of the great earth of Jambudvīpa into seven parts < [Chapter VIII - The Bodhisattvas]
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter XX - The Mahāgovindīya-sūtra < [Volume III]