Vidyutkumara, Vidyutkumāra, Vidyut-kumara: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Vidyutkumara means something in 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 Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Vidyutkumara in Jainism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Vidyutkumāra (विद्युत्कुमार) refers to a class of bhavanavāsin, which is a species of deva (gods), according to Jain cosmology. The bhavanavāsins or bhaumeyika gods (e.g. the Vidyuts) have a princely appearance (kumāra) and live in palaces (bhavana) and the upper part of the uppermost hell (ratnaprabhā).

The vidyuts have an associated caityavṛkṣa (sacred-tree) known as the Priyaṅgu accoring to the Digambara and Śālmali according to Śvetāmbara. They are defined according to the cosmological texts, such as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition, or the Trilokasāra in the Digambara tradition.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 4: The celestial beings (deva)

Vidyutkumāra (विद्युत्कुमार) or Vidyutakumāra refers to “lightning youths” and represents on of the ten classes of “residential celestial beings” (bhavanavāsin), itself a category of devas (celestial beings), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 4.10. Who are called Vidyutkumāra? Those celestial beings that are luminous like an electric arc are called lightning youths.

Who are the lords amongst the ‘lightning-youths’ (vidyutakumāra) residential class of celestial beings? Hariṣeṇa and Harikānta are the two chiefs in the Lightning-youths residential celestial beings.

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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.

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