Tamahprabha, Tamaḥprabhā, Tamas-prabha: 8 definitions

Introduction
In Jainism
1. General definition
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also

Introduction:

Tamahprabha 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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Tamaḥprabhā (तमःप्रभा, “dark-colored”).—Sixth 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. Tamaḥprabhā features 3 stratas and 99,995 dwelling places according to the Bhagavatī-sūtra.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Tamaḥprabhā (तमःप्रभा) refers to the sixth 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. [...] Tamaḥprabhā consists of 99,995 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 worlds

Tamaḥprabhā (तमःप्रभा) or simply Tamas 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 dark-hued is called Tamaḥprabhā. It is also known by the name Maghavī.

These seven lands (e.g., tamas-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). Tamaḥprabhā has five less than one hundred thousand infernal abodes (naraka). The maximum life span of infernal beings in Tamaḥprabhā land is twenty-two ocean-mesured-periods (sāgaropama).

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Tamaḥprabhā (तमःप्रभा).—a sort of hell.

Tamaḥprabhā is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms tamas and prabhā (प्रभा).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Tamaḥprabha (तमःप्रभ).—mf.

(-bhaḥ-bhā) A hell, one of the lowermost divisions of the infernal regions. E. tama darkness, add prabha what is manifested.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Tamaḥprabha (तमःप्रभ):—[=tamaḥ-prabha] [from tamaḥ > tam] m. Name of a hell, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] ([varia lectio])

2) Tamaḥprabhā (तमःप्रभा):—[=tamaḥ-prabhā] [from tamaḥ-prabha > tamaḥ > tam] f. idem, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

[Sanskrit to German]

Tamahprabha in German

context information

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.

Relevant text

Search found 3 books and stories containing Tamahprabha, Tamaḥprabhā, Tamas-prabha, Tamas-prabhā, Tamasprabha, Tamaḥ-prabhā, Tamasprabhā, Tamaḥprabha, Tamah-prabha, Tamaḥ-prabha; (plurals include: Tamahprabhas, Tamaḥprabhās, prabhas, prabhās, Tamasprabhas, Tamasprabhās, Tamaḥprabhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Chapter 3: On the worlds (pṛthivī) < [Book 2]

Part 1 - Hells and final Vimānas < [Chapter 6]

Part 12 - On celestial positions < [Chapter 2]

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Verse 3.6 - The maximum duration of life in the seven infernal regions < [Chapter 3 - The Lower World and the Middle World]

Verse 3.1 - The lower world (adholoka) < [Chapter 3 - The Lower World and the Middle World]

Verse 3.2 - Infernal abodes (naraka) < [Chapter 3 - The Lower World and the Middle World]

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Part 24: Death of Dvipṛṣṭha < [Chapter II - Vāsupūjyacaritra]

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]