Alternative spellings of this word include Vichitrakuta.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Vicitrakūṭa (विचित्रकूट) is the name of a mountain which is situated along the west bank of the river Sitodā. On top of Vicitrakūṭa and Citrakūṭa are the temples of the Jinas. This river Sitodā is mentioned as flowing through Videha together with the Sitā river. Videha is one of the seven regions (kṣetra) of Jambūdvīpa according to Jaina cosmology. Jambūdvīpa sits at the centre of madhyaloka (‘middle world’) is the most important of all continents and it is here where human beings reside.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Vicitrakūṭa (विचित्रकूट) is the name of a mountain range in Jambūdvīpa which is situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), 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:—“To the north of the Niṣadha Mountains and to the south of Meru are the Vidyutprabha Mountains and the Saumanasa Mountains in the west and east. They have the shape of an elephant’s tusk, almost touching Meru at the end. Between them are the Bhogabhumis, the Devakurus, 11,842 yojanas wide. In them, at each side of the five lakes divided by Śītodā, are ten mountains of gold, making a total of 100. There on the east and west banks of Śītodā are the mountains Vicitrakūṭa and Citrakūṭa. They are 1000 yojanas in height and the same in diameter at the base. The diameter at the top is half of that”.

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: Vicitra, Kuta.

Full-text: Citrakuta, Vidyutprabha, Saumanasa.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Vicitrakuta, Vicitrakūṭa, Vicitra-kuta, Vicitra-kūṭa; (plurals include: Vicitrakutas, Vicitrakūṭas, kutas, kūṭas). 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 23: Description of Jambūdvīpa < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]

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