Suvarnakula, Suvarṇakūlā, Suvarna-kula: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Suvarnakula 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)

[«previous next»] — Suvarnakula in Jainism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Suvarṇakūlā (सुवर्णकूला) is the name of a river mentioned as flowing through Hairaṇyavata together with the Rūpyakūlā river. Hairaṇyavata is one of the seven regions (kṣetra) of Jambūdvīpa according to Jaina cosmology. Jambūdvīpa sits at the centre of madhyaloka (‘middle world’) is the most important of all continents and it is here where human beings reside.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Suvarṇakūlā (सुवर्णकूला) (or Svarṇakūlā) and Rūpyakūlā are two great rivers situated in the Hairaṇyavata zone of Jambūdvīpa which is situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), 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:—“In Bharatakṣetra there are the great rivers, Gaṅgā and Sindhu; in the zone named Haimavata, Rohitā and Rohitāṃśā; in the Harivarṣaka zone, the rivers Harit and Harikāntā; in the Mahāvidehas the best rivers Śītā and Śītodā Narakāntā and Narīkāntā in the zone Ramyaka; Svarṇakūlā and Rūpyakūlā in the zone Hairaṇyavata; Raktā and Raktodā in the zone Airāvata. The first of each pair (i.e., Suvarṇakūlā) flows to the east and the second (i.e., Rūpyakūlā) to the west. The great rivers Gaṅgā and Sindhu are each attended by 14,000 best rivers. Each pair of the others is attended by twice as many rivers as the preceding pair up to Śītā and Śītodā. The northern rivers (north of Videha) are equal to the southern. Śītā and Śītodā, however, are attended by 532,000 rivers each”.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 3: The Lower and middle worlds

Suvarṇakūlā (सुवर्णकूला) is the name of a river that, coupled with the Rūpyakūlā river, separates the Hairaṇyavata region. Hairaṇyavata refers to one of the regions of Jambūdvīpa: the first continent of the Madhya-loka (middle-word), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 3.10. The Suvarṇakūlā river flows eastwards. The Suvarṇakūlā and Rūpyakūlā rivers and have 28000 tributaries.

Jambūdvīpa (where flows the Suvarṇakūlā river) is in the centre of all continents and oceans; all continents and oceans are concentric circles with Jambūdvīpa in the centre. Like the navel is in the centre of the body, Jambūdvīpa is in the centre of all continents and oceans. Sumeru Mount is in the centre of Jambūdvīpa. It is also called Mount Sudarśana.

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context information

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.

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