Ushinara, aka: Uśīnara, Uśīnara, Usīnara, Usinara, Uśīnarā, Usīnārā; 9 Definition(s)

Introduction

Ushinara means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.

The Sanskrit terms Uśīnara and Uśīnara and Uśīnarā can be transliterated into English as Usinara or Ushinara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Uśīnara (उशीनर):—King Uśīnara, a descendant of Turvasu, had five wives, viz. Mṛgā (or Nṛgā), Kṛmi, Navā, Darvā and Dṛṣadvātī. The sons of these wives resepctively were: Mṛga, Kṛmi, Nava, Suvrata and Śibi. The territorial possessions of these sons respectively were: Yaudheya, city of Kṛmilā, Navarāṣṭra, Ambaṣṭhā (or: Vṛṣṭhā) and Śivapura.

1) Uśīnara (उशीनर).—A famous king of the Candravaṃśa (Lunar dynasty). Genealogy. Descended from Viṣṇu in the following order:—Brahmā-Atri-Candra-Budha-Purūravas-Āyus-Nahuṣa-Yayāti-Anudruhyu-Sabhānara-Kālanara-Sṛñjaya-Uśīnara. Uśīnara was the father of Śibi and Vena. (See full article at Story of Uśīnara from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

2) Uśīnara (उशीनर).—A King of the Yādavas. In the Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva, Chapter 185, Stanza 20, it is mentioned that this King was present on the occasion of the Svayaṃvara (the bride choosing a husband) of Draupadī.

3) Uśīnara (उशीनर).—Mention is made in Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 32, that Vṛṣādarbhi was another name of Uśīnara and that he had once ruled over the kingdom of Kāśī.

4) Uśīnara (उशीनर).—A country. It is stated in Mahābhārata, Karṇa Parva, Chapter 5, Stanza 47, that Arjuna had killed the warriors of this country. In Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 33, Stanzas 22 and 23, mention is made that due to the curse of Brahmins the Kṣatriyas (the ruling class) had become Śūdras (servile class.)

1a) Uśīnara (उशीनर).—Had Śibi, grandson of Yayāti for son. A son of Mahāmana; had five queens of rājaṛṣi families, each of whom bore a son; (four sons, Śibi and others, Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa).^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa I. 12. 20; IX. 23. 2-3; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 74. 17; Matsya-purāṇa 42. 19; 48. 15-18; Vāyu-purāṇa 99. 18-19; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 18. 8-9.

1b) A sage who went to Syamantapañcaka for solar eclipse.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 82. 13.

1c) A tribe of which Suyajña was a king.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa VII. 2. 28; X. 82. 13.

Uśīnara (उशीनर) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.177.18) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Uśīnara) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Uśīnara (उशीनर) is the name of a country pertaining to the Pāñcālī (Pāñcālamadhyamā) local usage (pravṛtti) according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 14. These pravṛttis provide information regarding costumes, languages, and manners in different countries of the world. It is mentioned that this local usage (adopted by these countries) depends on the grand style (sāttvatī) and the violent style (ārabhaṭī).

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing dramatic plays (nataka) and poetic works (kavya).

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

King of Benares in the time of Kassapa Buddha. His story is related in the Maha Kanha Jataka (J.iv.181ff). He is mentioned in a list of kings who, although they gave great gifts, could not get beyond the domain of sense (J.vi.99). He is, however, elsewhere (J.vi.251) mentioned as having been born in Sakkas heaven as a result of waiting diligently on brahmins and recluses.

India history and geogprahy

Usīnārā (उसीनारा) is the name of an ancient locality situated in Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—There are numerous references to Usīnārā in Pāli literature. In the Divyāvadāna mention is made of Usīragiri. Dr. Roy Chaudhuri rightly points out that Usīnaragiri mentioned in the Kathāsaritsāgara is doubtless identical with Usīragiri of the Divyāvadāna and Usīradhaja of the Vinaya Texts where it has been described as the northern boundary of the Buddhist Majjhimadesa. It was a mountain to the north of Kaṅkhal.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as 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

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Uśīnarā (उशीनरा).—(pl.) Name of a country (Central India ? M. W.) and its inhabitants. सोवसदुशीनरेषु (sovasaduśīnareṣu) Kauṣ. Up. 4.1. -f. A queen of that people; य आवहदुशीनराण्या अनः (ya āvahaduśīnarāṇyā anaḥ) Āv.1.59.1.

Derivable forms: uśīnarāḥ (उशीनराः).

Uśīnara (उशीनर).—m.

(-raḥ) 1. The name of a country, (Candahar.) 2. A king, the father of Sivi. E. uśī desire, nara a man.

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