In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 2: the Category of the living

Vaikriyika (वैक्रियिक) refers to the “transformable /protean body” and represents one of the five types of human ‘bodies’ (śarīra) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 2.36. What is the meaning of protean body? The body having the nature to change its forms at will is called transformable body. How are protean bodies born? They are born by descent-on-special-beds (upapāda). How else are the protean bodies caused? It can be caused by attainment (labdhi) also.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 8: Bondage of karmas

1) Vaikriyika (वैक्रियिक) refers to “protean body” and represents one of the five types of Śarīra (body), which  represents one of the various kinds of Nāma, or “physique-making (karmas)”, which represents one of the eight types of Prakṛti-bandha (species bondage): one of the four kinds of bondage (bandha) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra chapter 8. What is meant by protean (vaikriyika) body (śarīra) body-making (nāma) karma? The karmas rise of which causes attainment of a protean body (like heavenly and hellish beings and capable of transformation in stature and form) by the soul are called protean body body-making karma.

2) Vaikriyika (वैक्रियिक, “protean”) refers to “protean major/minor limbs body-making karma” and represents one of the three types of Aṅgopāṅga (major/minor limbs), representing one of the various kinds of Nāma, or “physique-making (karmas)”, which represents one of the eight types of Prakṛti-bandha (species bondage): one of the four kinds of bondage (bandha) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra chapter 8. What is meant by protean (vaikriyika) major/minor limbs (aṅgopāṅga) body-making (nāma) karma? The karmas rise of which causes attainment of major and minor limbs of a protean body (like of heavenly and hellish beings) by the soul are called protean major and minor limbs body-making karma.

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: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Vaikriyika (वैक्रियिक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Viuvvia, Veuvvia.

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.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Vaikriyika (ವೈಕ್ರಿಯಿಕ):—[noun] = ವೈಕ್ರಿಯಕ [vaikriyaka].

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Ends with: Uttaravaikriyika.

Full-text: Viuvvia, Veuvvia, Sharira, Angopanga.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Vaikriyika; (plurals include: Vaikriyikas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)

Verse 2.46 - The transformable body (vaikriyika) < [Chapter 2 - Category of the Living]

Verse 2.47 - Attainment of the transformable body (vaikriyika) < [Chapter 2 - Category of the Living]

Verse 2.43 - Four bodies can be attained simultaneously < [Chapter 2 - Category of the Living]

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Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Appendix 1.2: types of karma < [Appendices]

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