Usabha: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Usabha means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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 Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names1. Usabha Thera - An arahant. He was born of a wealthy family in Kosala and entered the Order, when the Buddha accepted Jetavana. Finishing his novitiate, he dwelt amidst the mountains. Going out one day from his cave after the rains, he saw the loveliness of the woods and mountains and reflected, These trees and creepers, though unconscious, yet by the seasons fulfilment, have won full growth. Why should not I, who have obtained suitable season, win growth by good qualities? Pondering thus, he strove and obtained insight (Thag.v.110; ThagA.i.217f).
In the time of Sikhi Buddha, be was a devaputta and offered flowers to the Buddha, which remained as a canopy over the Buddhas head for seven days. Ten kappas ago be was a king named Jutindhara. He is evidently to be identified with Mandaravapujaka of the Apadana. Ap.i.178.
2. Usabha - He was born of a Sakyan family in Kapilavatthu. When the Buddha visited his family, Usabha saw his power and wisdom and entered the Order. But he fulfilled no religious duties, passing the day in society and the night in sleep. One night he dreamt that he shaved, put on a crimson cloak, and, sitting on a elephant, entered the town for alms. There, seeing the people gathered together, he dismounted, full of shame. Filled with anguish at the thought of his own muddleheaded ness, he strove after insight and became an arahant (Thag.197-8; ThagA.i.319f).
In the time of Sikhi Buddha he was a householder and gave to the Buddha a kosamba fruit. He is evidently identical with Kosambaphaliya of the Apadana. Ap.ii.449.
3. Usabha - A Pacceka Buddha, mentioned in the Isigili Sutta. M.iii.70.
4. Usabha - A setthi of Kalacampa, father of Sona Kolvisa (AA.i.131; ThagA.i.544).
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).
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryusabha : (m.) a leading bull; a noble person; the length of 140 cubits.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary1) Usabha, 2 (nt.) (= usabha1, in special application (?)) a certain measure of length, consisting of 20 yaṭṭhis (see yaṭṭhi) or 140 cubits J. I, 64 (eight), 70 (id.); II, 91; IV, 17 (one), 142 (eight); DhA. I, 108 (°mattaṃ). (Page 156)
2) Usabha, 1 (Vedic ṛṣabha; Av. aršan male, Gr. a)ρshn, a)ρrhn masculine, to Idg. *eres & *rēs to wet, sprinkle (with semen), as also in Sk. rasa juice, rasā wet, liquid, Lat. rōs dew. A parallel root *ueres in Sk. varṣa rain, Gr. e)ρsh dew; Sk. vṛṣan & vṛṣabha bull) a bull; often fig. as symbol of manliness and strength (cp. nisabha) D. I, 6 (°yuddha bull-fight), 9 (°lakkhaṇa signs on a b.), 127; Vin. III, 39 (puris° “bull of a man”, a very strong man); A. I, 188; II, 207; IV, 41 sq. 376; V, 347, 350; Sn. 26 sq. 416, 646, 684; Dh. 422; J. I, 28 (V. 203; °kkhandha broadshouldered), 336; V, 99 (bharatûsabha); VI, 136; Pug. 56; Vism. 153 (°camma, in simile); DhA. I, 396; SnA 226, 333; KhA 144; PvA. 163; VvA. 85.—The compn. forms of usabha are āsabha, isabha (in nisabha) & esabha (q. v.). The relations between usabha, vasabha & nisabha are discussed at SnA 40. (Page 156)

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary1) Usabha (उसभ) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Vṛṣabha.
2) Usabha (उसभ) also relates to the Sanskrit words: Ṛṣabha, Vṛṣabha.
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)
Partial matches: Usabha, Abha, Isha, Raja, Na.
Starts with: Usabhacamma, Usabhachinnavisana, Usabhadana, Usabhajaniya, Usabhakkhandha, Usabhamukha, Usabharaja, Usabhasamagati, Usabhavati, Usabhavatinagara.
Full-text (+16): Usabharaja, Addhausabha, Kalausabha, Usabhadana, Cattalisausabhamatta, Chinnavisanusabhasama, Usabhajaniya, Khinasavausabha, Usabhachinnavisana, Asabha, Esabha, Vasabha, Rishabha, Vrishabha, Nisabha, Gavuta, Atthausabha, Kosumbaphaliya, Vyaggha, Rathesabha.
Relevant text
Search found 9 books and stories containing Usabha, Isa-abha, Usabha-na, Usabha-ṇa, Usabha-raja, Usabha-rāja; (plurals include: Usabhas, abhas, nas, ṇas, rajas, rājas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Vasudevahindi (cultural history) (by A. P. Jamkhedkar)
1. Origin of kingship < [Chapter 2 - Political conditions]
33. The life of a Tirthankara (Titthayara) < [Chapter 5 - Religion and Philosophy]
1. The concept of Time in Jain Philosophy < [Chapter 5 - Religion and Philosophy]
Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Part 5 - The Archery Display < [Chapter 2 - The Performance of the Ploughing Ceremony]
Part 2 - Story of King Pukkusāti < [Chapter 36 - The Buddha’s Height Measured by a Brahmin]
Buddha Chronicle 24: Kassapa Buddhavaṃsa < [Chapter 9 - The chronicle of twenty-four Buddhas]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 56 < [Volume 10 (1890)]
Mahavamsa (by Wilhelm Geiger)
Chapter 23 - The Levying Of The Warriors
Chapter 25 - The Victory Of Duttha Gamani
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 136 - The Story of the Boa Constrictor Peta-Ghost < [Chapter 10 - Daṇḍa Vagga (Punishment)]
Verse 193 - The Story of the Question Raised by Venerable Ānanda < [Chapter 14 - Buddha Vagga (The Buddha)]
Verse 422 - The Story of Angulimāla the Fearless < [Chapter 26 - Brāhmaṇa Vagga (The Brāhmaṇa)]
Apadana commentary (Atthakatha) (by U Lu Pe Win)
Commentary on Biography of thera Parappasādaka < [Chapter 7 - Sakacintaniyavagga (section on Sakacintaniya)]
Prince Siddhartha Renounces Worldly Life and Becomes Hermit < [Part 2 - Discourse on the non-remote preface (avidūre-nidāna)]
Commentary on the Biography of the thera Subhūti < [Chapter 3 - Subhūtivagga (section on Subhūti)]
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