In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Uttaravaikriya (उत्तरवैक्रिय) refers to the temporal bodies of the Gods, according to chapter 2.1 [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: “Vimalavāhana became a god in the palace Vijaya in the Anuttaravimānas, with a life-period of thirty-three sāgaras. With a body a cubit tall, white as moon-beams, an Ahamindra, free from arrogance, adorned with beautiful ornaments, always free from opposition, placed on a beautiful couch, not going to another place, not making an uttaravaikriya (body), beholding the lokanāli through a wealth of clairvoyant knowledge, he experienced the highest bliss indicative of the bliss of emancipation”.

Note: The gods can not descend to earth in their natural bodies, but make another body called ‘uttaravaikriya’.—“Die Kosmographie der Inder”, p. 307, says that in the Graiveyaka- and Anuttara-heavens, the gods have only their natural bodies (bhavadhāraṇīya). In the lower heavens, they have both kinds.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Vaikriya, Uttara.

Full-text: Bhavadharaniya, Jyotirasa, Amritavalli, Ahamindra.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Uttaravaikriya, Uttara-vaikriya; (plurals include: Uttaravaikriyas, vaikriyas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Part 12: Life as a god < [Chapter I - Previous incarnation as Vimalavāhana]

Part 7: Birth-rites performed by Dikkumārīs < [Chapter II - Birth of Ajita and Sagara]

Part 8: Birth-ceremonies presided over by Śakra < [Chapter II - Birth of Ajita and Sagara]

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Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti) (by K. C. Lalwani)

Part 6 - Camarendra craves for support < [Chapter 2]

Part 1 - On winds < [Chapter 2]

Part 6 - On the life of the earth-bodies < [Chapter 5]

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