Suparnakumara, Suparṇakumāra, Suparna-kumara: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Suparnakumara means something in Jainism, Prakrit. 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 Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Wisdom Library: JainismSuparṇakumāra (सुपर्णकुमार) or Suvarṇakumāra refers to a class of bhavanavāsin, which is a species of deva (gods), according to Jain cosmology. The bhavanavāsins or bhaumeyika gods (e.g. the Suparṇas) have a princely appearance (kumāra) and live in palaces (bhavana) and the upper part of the uppermost hell (ratnaprabhā).
The suparṇas have an associated caityavṛkṣa (sacred-tree) known as the Śāmali accoring to the Digambara and Umbara according to Śvetāmbara. They are defined according to the cosmological texts, such as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition, or the Trilokasāra in the Digambara tradition.
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 4: The celestial beings (deva)Suparṇakumāra (सुपर्णकुमार) refers to “vulturine youths” and represents on of the ten classes of “residential celestial beings” (bhavanavāsin), itself a category of devas (celestial beings), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 4.10. Who are called Suparṇakumāra? Those celestial beings that enjoy performing miraculous activities in the form of auspicious feathers are called vulturine youths.
Who are the lords amongst the ‘vulturine-youths’ (suparṇakumāra) residential class of celestial beings? Veṇudeva and Veṇudhāri are the two lords in the Vulturine-youths residential celestial beings.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Kumara, Suparṇa.
Full-text: Bhavanavasin, Bhavanapati, Suvarnakumara.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Suparnakumara, Suparṇakumāra, Suparna-kumara, Suparṇa-kumāra; (plurals include: Suparnakumaras, Suparṇakumāras, kumaras, kumāras). 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 4.28 - The lifetimes of the deva < [Chapter 4 - The Celestial Beings]
Verse 4.10 - The subclasses of the residential beings (bhavanavāsī-deva) < [Chapter 4 - The Celestial Beings]
Verse 4.6 - The two lords (indra) < [Chapter 4 - The Celestial Beings]