Vimala, Vimalā: 56 definitions
Introduction:
Vimala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi, biology. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Vimal.
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: Bhagavata PuranaVimala (विमल):—One of the sons of Sudyumna (son of Vaivasvata Manu). (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa )
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia1) Vimala (विमल).—A King. Vimala who was the King of South India was the son of Sudyumna. (Bhāgavata, Skandha 9).
2) Vimala (विमल).—A King of the city of Ratnātaṭa. At the time of the horse-sacrifice of Śrī Rāma, this King rendered a good deal of help to Śatrughna. (Padma Purāṇa, Pātāla Khaṇḍa, Chapter 17).
3) Vimalā (विमला).—A female calf born from Rohiṇī, the daughter of Surabhi. Rohiṇī had two daughters called Vimalā and Analā. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 66, Stanza 67).
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationVimala (विमल) refers to “purity (of mind)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.36 (“The statements of the seven sages”).—Accordingly, after the Seven Sages spoke to Himavat (Himācala): “After saying thus, the sages of pure mind (vimala-āśaya) offered their blessings to the girl—‘Be pleasing to Śiva’. They touched her with their hands and continued—‘Everything will be well with you. As the moon in the bright half of the month, may your qualities increase’. After saying thus and offering fruits and flowers to the lord of mountains, the sages made him believe that the alliance was a settled fact. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Vimala (विमल).—A son of Sudyumna and a Lord of Dakṣiṇāpatha.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 1. 41.
1b) A son of Devayānī and a Yakṣa.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 128.
1c) The son of Jīmūta and father of Bhīmaratha.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 44. 41.
2a) Vimalā (विमला).—A Rahasyayoginī Devī.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 19. 48.
2b) The goddess enshrined at Puruṣottama*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 13. 35.
2c) A R. from Ṛṣyavān.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 114. 26.
Vimalā (विमला) refers to the name of a Lady mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.90.39). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Vimalā) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa (itihasa)Vimala is the name of a Serpent (sarpa) mentioned in the thirty-fifth chapter (verses 4-17) of the Ādiparva of the Mahābhārata.—Accordingly, Sauti, on being implored by Śaunaka to name all the serpents in the course of the sarpa-sattra, tells him that it is humanly impossible to give a complete list because of their sheer multiplicity; but would name the prominent ones in accordance with their significance [e.g., Vimala].
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: ŚāktismVimalā (विमला, “bright, pure, spotless”):—Name of one of the sixty-four mātṛs to be worshipped during Āvaraṇapūjā (“Worship of the Circuit of Goddesses”, or “Durgā’s Retinue”), according to the Durgāpūjātattva. They should be worshipped with either the five upācāras or perfume and flowers.
Her mantra is as follows:
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantramॐ विमलायै नमः
oṃ vimalāyai namaḥ.
1a) Vimala (अनुभव) refers to the “pure” (direct experience of the deity), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “The venerable Tree (HSKṢMLVRYŪṂ), called the Teacher’s Sandals, endowed with the energy of passion, (AIṂ) is the First Lord (Ādinātha) of Bhairava’s Command. His will is the divine seed (AIṂ), which is pure with (the direct) experience (of deity) [anubhava-vimala], and is the Wheel of the Fire of Time. [...]”.
2) Vimalā (विमला) or Vimalāvvā is the name of the Mother (avvā) associated with the sacred seat of Jālandhara, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra.
3) Vimala (विमल) refers to one of the eight Heroes (vīra-aṣṭaka) associated with Oṃkārapīṭha (also called Oḍḍiyāna, Ādipīṭha or Uḍapīṭha), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra.—[...] The eight heroes (vīrāṣṭaka): Karāla, Kanda, Vimala, Rudrāṅga, Kamalekṣaṇa, Vicitra, Citra, Bhānu.
4) Vimala (विमल) also refers to one of the eight Heroes associated with Kāmākhya (corresponding to the eastern face of Bhairava).—[...] The eight Heroes (vīrāṣṭaka): Vimala, Viśāla, Mahāṃśuka, Mṛgāṃśaka, Makaradhvaja, Anaṅgābha, Padmākṣa, Sarvavikrama.
5) Vimala (विमल) or Kampa refers to the Cremation Ground associated with Nāda, one of the eight Sacred Seats (pīṭha), according to the Yogakhaṇḍa (chapter 14) of the Manthānabhairavatantra.
Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva (shaktism)Vimala (विमल) or Vimalatantra refers to one of the twenty Bhūtatantras, belonging to the Śāktāgama (or Śāktatantra) division of the Āgama tradition. The Śāktāgamas represent the wisdom imparted by Devī to Īśvara and convey the idea that the worship of Śakti is the means to attain liberation. According to the Pratiṣṭhālakṣaṇasamuccaya of Vairocana, the Śāktatantras are divided into to four parts, the Vimala-tantra belonging to the Bhūta class.
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)Vimalā (विमला) refers to one of eight eight Goddesses of speech, as mentioned in the Kāmasiddhi-stuti (also Vāmakeśvarī-stuti) and the Vāmakeśvaratantra (also known as Nityāṣoḍaśikārṇava).—[...] The next four verses, 17–20 [of the Kāmasiddhistuti], respectively praise the set of eight eight Goddesses of speech. The names of these eight [e.g., Vimalā] can be retrieved from the mantroddhāra section of the Vāmakeśvaratantra (cf. 1.77–80).
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstraVimala (विमल, “iron pyrite”) or Bimala:—One of the eight mahārasa (‘superior minerals’), according to the Rasaprakāśasudhākara: a 13th century Sanskrit book on Indian alchemy, or, Rasaśāstra.
Source: Indian Journal of History of Science: Rasaprakāśa-sudhākara, chapter 4-5Vimala (Iron pyrite) is described to have three varieties:
- Hema Vimala - possess golden colour.
- Rūpya Vimala - looks like silver in colour.
- Kāmsya Vimala - is similar to kāmsya (bell metal or bronz) in colour.
It is snigdha (greasy), vartula (cube like) and possess ṣaṭkoṇas (six angles) and is associated with phalakas (facetes). It is specially indicated for children, may destroy jvara, pāṇḍu, grahaṇī, kāmala, śūla, mandāgni, kṣaya-roga and pittaja-rogas. And by changing anupānas it may destroy all the diseases. Its Bhasma is vṛṣya (apphrodiasic), best Rasāyana and destroys pitta and vata doṣa or their diseases.
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgrahaVimalā refers to a medicinal recipe mentioned in the Guḷikākhaṇḍa (verse 7.29) of the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Guḷikākhaṇḍa [mentioning vimalā] contains recipes that treat patients suffering from conditions such as shivering fever, bleeding, cough, heart diseases, chlorosis, piles, pain in vagina, constipation, etc.
Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)
Source: WorldCat: Rāj nighaṇṭuVimalā (विमला) is another name for Sātalā, an unidentified medicinal plant (seven possible species identifed), according to verse 4.194-195 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. The fourth chapter (śatāhvādi-varga) of this book enumerates eighty varieties of small plants (pṛthu-kṣupa). Together with the names Vimalā and Sātalā, there are a total of thirteen Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of termsVimala (विमल):—Stainless, spotless, clean, bright, pure, clear, transparent – in the contest of water refers to water which is free from all physical and chemical impurities like Clay, mud, turbidity, carbonate and non carbonate salts etc.
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstraVimala (विमल) refers to classification of a temple/buidling (prāsāda), according to Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra chapter 60. The temple is mentioned in a list of thirty-six Prāsādas having activities of the townsmen entailing Sādhārās. The Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra is an 11th-century encyclopedia dealing with various topics from the Vāstuśāstra.
Vimala is also listed in the Īśānaśivagurudevapaddhati which features a list of 52 temple types. This list represents the classification of temples in South-India.
Source: OpenEdition books: Architectural terms contained in Ajitāgama and RauravāgamaVimala (विमल) refers to “nodule (?) (in a stone) § 2.10.”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: ŚaivismVimala (विमल) was a disciple of Khagendranātha (his consort being Vijāhutī), an incarnation of Siddhanātha in the first yuga, belonging to the Pūrvāmnāya (‘eastern doctrine’) tradition of Kula Śaivism, according to the Ciñcinīmatasārasamuccaya. Siddhanātha incarnates as a Kaula master in each of the four yugas.
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram (shaivism)Vimala (विमल) refers to one of the disciples of Khagendra or Khagendranātha: one of the “four Lords (teachers) of the Ages” (Yuganātha), according to the Kulakrīḍāvatāratantra and Ciñcinīmatasārasamuccaya.—Matsyendranātha is worshipped as the teacher of this Age along with three other teachers and their consorts who brought the Kaula Tantra into the world in the previous three Ages. These four Lords of the Ages (yuganātha) are highly revered in the Kālīkrama and came to be considered to be embodiments of the basic states of consciousness. Disciples of Khagendranātha: According to the Kulakrīḍāvatāra-tantra: Viktaṣṭi and Vimala or Illāīambā and Anantamekhalā; According to the Ciñcinīmatasārasamuccaya: Vimala and Suśubha.
Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva1) Vimala (विमल) or Vimalāgama refers to one of the twenty-eight Siddhāntāgama: a classification of the Śaiva division of Śaivāgamas. The Śaivāgamas represent the wisdom that has come down from lord Śiva, received by Pārvatī and accepted by Viṣṇu. The Śaivāgamas are divided into four groups viz. Śaiva, Pāśupata, Soma and Lākula. Śaiva is further divided in to Dakṣiṇa, Vāma and Siddhānta (e.g., vimala).
2) Vimala (विमल) or Vimalāgama refers to one of upāgamas (supplementary scriptures) of the Vijayāgama which is one of the twenty-eight Siddhāntāgama: a classification of the Śaiva division of Śaivāgamas. The Śaivāgamas represent the wisdom that has come down from lord Śiva, received by Pārvatī and accepted by Viṣṇu. The purpose of revealing upāgamas (e.g., Vimala Āgama) is to explain more elaborately than that of mūlāgamas (e.g., Vijaya-āgama) and to include any new idea if not dealt in mūlāgamas.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraVimalā (विमला) is the name of a meter belonging to the Gāyatrī class of Dhruvā (songs) described in the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 32:—“the metre which has in its feet of six syllables the fourth and the final ones long, is vimalā.”.
Vimalā is also mentioned as a meter belonging to the Uṣṇik class of Dhruvā (songs) described in the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 32:—“the metre which has in its feet of seven syllables the third, the fifth and the final one long, is vimalā”.
Vimalā is also the name of a meter belonging to the Triṣṭubh class of Dhruvā (songs) described in the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 32:—“the metre which has in its feet of eleven syllables, the third, the fifth, the sixth, the seventh and the last long, is vimalā”.
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—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), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Chandas (prosody, study of Sanskrit metres)
Source: Shodhganga: a concise history of Sanskrit Chanda literatureVimalā (विमला) refers to one of the 135 metres (chandas) mentioned by Nañjuṇḍa (1794-1868 C.E.) in his Vṛttaratnāvalī. Nañjuṇḍa was a poet of both Kannada and Sanskrit literature flourished in the court of the famous Kṛṣṇarāja Woḍeyar of Mysore. He introduces the names of these metres (e.g., Vimalā) in 20 verses.
Chandas (छन्दस्) refers to Sanskrit prosody and represents one of the six Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines belonging to the study of the Vedas). The science of prosody (chandas-shastra) focusses on the study of the poetic meters such as the commonly known twenty-six metres mentioned by Pingalas.
Kavya (poetry)
Source: Wisdom Library: Kathāsaritsāgara1) Vimala (विमल) was a soldier in Sunītha and Sūryaprabha’s army whose strength is considered equal to a great warrior (mahāratha), according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 47. Accordingly, as the Asura Maya explained the arrangement of warriors in Sunītha’s army: “... and [Vimala, and others] are great warriors”.
2) Vimala (विमल) is the name of an ancient king from Vimalapura, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 56. Accordingly, as Nārāyaṇī narrated to a group of divine mothers (mātṛcakra) in presence of Candrasvāmin, who was listening from a tree: “... when it was time for her [Vidyādharī] to be given in marriage, the king heard that a son of King Vimala, named Prabhākara, was equal to her in beauty. While the king was willing to give her to Prabhākara, Vimala also learned that Surasena’s daughter was worthy of his son. Thereupon Vimala, by the mouth of an envoy, asked Surasena to bestow his daughter Vidyādharī upon his son”.
3) Vimala (विमल) is the father of Dhavala: a washerman (rajaka) from from Brahmasthala, as mentioned in the sixth story of the Vetālapañcaviṃśati in the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 80. Accordingly, “... there he [Dhavala] remained fasting and restless without her [Madanasundarī]; but when his mother asked him the cause, he told her the truth about his desire. She went and told her husband Vimala, and when he came and saw his son in that state, he said to him: ‘Why are you so despondent, my son, about an object so easily attained? Śuddhapaṭa will give you his daughter, if I ask him...’”.
4) Vimala (विमल) or Vimalapura, as mentioned in the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 110. Accordingly, “... [Naravāhanadatta] left that plateau of Kailāsa, and by the advice of King Kāñcanadaṃṣṭra, who showed him the way, went to that city of Mandaradeva named Vimala. And he reached that city, which was adorned with lofty ramparts of gold, and looked like Mount Sumeru come to adore Kailāsa, and, entering it [Vimala], found that it resembled the sea in all but the presence of water, being very deep, characterised by unfailing prosperity, and an inexhaustible mine of jewels”.
The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Vimala, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.
Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.
Dharmashastra (religious law)
Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study (dharma)Vimala (विमल) or Vimaladāna refers to “pure donation” and represents one of the four types of Dāna (“gift”) according to the Dharmaśāstra taught in the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—The Saurapurāṇa describes the importance and enumeration of dāna in chapters nine and ten. It classifies dāna into four types.—In order to please Hara, donation given to a devotee of Śiva is called vimala-dāna and this dāna is a means to liberation. Thus... vimala-dāna, that is pure, is a means to get release from the fetter of saṃsāra.
Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraVimala (विमल) refers to “clear” (i.e., the ‘clear’ appearance of the solar dic), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 3), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If the solar disc should be crossed by the rainbow the princes of the land will be at war with one another. If in winter the disc be clear [i.e., vimala-dyuti] there will be immediate rain. If in Varṣā the colour of the sun be that of the flower Śirīṣa there will be immediate rain; if the colour be that of the peacock’s plume there will be no rain for twelve years to come”.
Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (yoga)Vimala (विमल) refers to the “spotless”, according to the Amṛtasiddhi, a 12th-century text belonging to the Haṭhayoga textual tradition.—Accordingly, “At the navel is a white lotus. On top of that is the spotless orb (vimala—vimalaṃ maṇḍalaṃ) of the sun. In the middle of that, at the triple pathway, is she who is the sole essence of saṃsāra [and] the creator of the three worlds, who arises on the path of dharma, who has three bodies [and] who is lauded as Chinnamastā, “she whose head is cut.” I worship her, she who has the form of knowledge, who removes the danger of death, the Yoginī, the seal of Yoga”.
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchVimala (विमल) refers to the “clear (of dawn)”, according to the Brahmayāmala-tantra (or Picumata), an early 7th century Śaiva text consisting of twelve-thousand verses.—Accordingly, [while describing a haṭha-sādhana (foreceful practice)]: “[...] Hear what would transpire for him on the ninth day: A loud, terrifying sound arises in the hole, a sweet-smelling air is diffused [and] everywhere a shower of flowers. All the gods shake with fear, their eyes quivering. Aghorī's spirits appear in the clear of dawn (prabhāta-vimala) by the thousands, of great majesty and deformed visage. [...]”
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names1. Vimala. One of the four friends of Yasa who, following the latters example, joined the Order and attained arahantship. Vin.i.18f.
2. Vimala Thera. He belonged to a rich family of Rajagaha and received his name because he was born free of all dirt. Much impressed by the majesty of the Buddha when the latter visited Rajagaha, Vimala entered the Order, and lived in a mountain cave in Kosala. One day a vast cloud spread over the sky; rain fell, allaying the heat and discomfort, and Vimala, concentrating his mind, attained arahantship.
He belonged to a family of conch blowers in the time of Vipassi Buddha, and one day honoured the Buddha by playing on his conch shell. He bathed the Bodhi tree of Kassapa Buddha with fragrant water and washed the seats and the clothes of holy monks. Twenty four kappas ago he was king six times, under the name of Mahanigghosa. ThagA.i.121f; his Udana verse is included in Thag.vs.50.
3. Vimala Thera. He was born in a brahmin family of Benares and entered the Order under Somamitta Thera, who encouraged him to attain arahantship. In the story of Somamitta, however, Vimala is said to have been his teacher. For details see Somamitta. In the days of Padumuttara Buddha he was a householder, and, when the Buddhas body was being carried to the pyre for cremation, amidst impressive celebrations, he offered sumana flowers in his honour. ThagA.i.377; three verses ascribed to him occur in Thag.vs.264-6.
4. Vimala. A Pacceka Buddha. M.iii.70; ApA.i.107.
5. Vimala. One of the palaces of Piyadassi Buddha before his renunciation. Bu.xiv.16.
6. Vimala. A king of sixty one kappas ago, a former birth of Udakadayaka (Sanu) Thera. Ap.i.205; ThagA.i.115.
7. Vimala. A king of twenty one kappas ago who lived in the palace Suddassana in Renuvati. He was a former birth of Rahula. Ap.i.61.
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: LokottaravādaVimala (विमल) is the name of a Buddha under whom Śākyamuni (or Gautama, ‘the historical Buddha’) acquired merit along the first through nine bhūmis, according to the Mahāvastu. There are in total ten bhūmis representing the ten stages of the Bodhisattva’s path towards enlightenment.
Vimala is but one among the 500 Buddhas enumerated in the Mahāvastu during a conversation between Mahākātyāyana and Mahākāśyapa, both principle disciples of Gautama Buddha. The Mahāvastu is an important text of the Lokottaravāda school of buddhism, dating from the 2nd century BCE.
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraVimalā (विमला) or Vimalābhūmi refers to the “stainless bhūmi” and represents one of the ten Bodhisattva grounds (bodhisattabhūmi), according to the Daśabhūmikasūtra, or Daśabhūmīśvara, as mentioned in the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 52.—Vimalā-bhūmi is also known as “dri ma med pa, li keou”.—The Bodhisattva-mahāsattva on the second ground (vimalā-bhūmi) must think about eight dharmas continually.
What are these eight?
- Purity of morality.
- Acknowledgement and gratitude
- Basing oneself on the power of patience.
- Feeling joy and contentment.
- Do not abandon anyone.
- The entry into great compassion.
- Faith, respect and submissiveness to the teachers.
- The energetic search for the perfections.
Vimala (विमल) refers to the “undefiled (characteristic of open space)”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “Son of good family, the morality of the Boddhisatvas becomes purified by these eight qualities. [...] Further, as for the purity of morality, open space is pure, and pure is also that morality; open space is undefiled (vimala-gagana—vimalaṃ gaganaṃ), and undefiled is also that morality; open space is calm, and calm is also that morality; open space is without a feeling of superiority, and without a feeling of superiority is also that morality; [...]”.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan BuddhismVimalā (विमला) is the name of a Dhāraṇī Goddesses mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Vimalā).
Source: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist IconographyVimalā (विमला) or Vimalābhūmi refers to one of twelve Bhūmi Goddesses, as commonly depicted in Buddhist Iconography, and mentioned in the 11th-century Niṣpannayogāvalī of Mahāpaṇḍita Abhayākara.—Her Colour is white; her Symbol is a white lotus; she has two arms.
Vimalā is described in the Niṣpannayogāvalī (dharmadhātuvāgīśvara-maṇḍala) as follows:—
“Vimalā is white in colour and holds in her left hand the white lotus”.
[These twelve bhūmis [viz., Vimalā] are two-armed and hold in the right hand the vajra and in the left their own weapons or signs.]
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaVimalā (विमला, “unstained”) or Vimalābhūmi refers to the second of the “ten stages of the Bodhisattva” (bhūmi) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 64). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., vimalā). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D. Vimalā is also included in the “thirteen stages of the Bodhisattva” (trayodaśa-bhūmi).
Source: Wisdom Library: BuddhismVimalā (विमला) refers to one of the five daughters of Sujāta: an ancient king from the Solar dynasty (sūryavaṃśa) and a descendant of Mahāsaṃmata, according to the Mahāvastu chapter II.32 of the Mahāsaṃghikas (and the Lokottaravāda school).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism1) Vimala (विमल):—The thirteenth Tīrthaṅkara (Janism recognizes 24 such teachers or Siddhas). He is also known as Vimalanātha. His colour is gold (kāñcana), according to Aparājitapṛcchā (221.5-7). His height is 60 dhanuṣa (a single dhanuṣa (or, ‘bow’) equals 6 ft), thus, roughly corresponding to 110 meters. His emblem, or symbol, is a Boar.
Vimala’s father is Kṛtavarmā and his mother is Śyāmā according to Śvetāmbara or Jayaśyāmā according to Digambara. It is an ancient Jain practice to worship the Tīrthaṅkara’s parents in various rites, such as the pratiṣṭhāvidhi, according to the Ācāradinakara (14th century work on Jain conduct written by Vardhamāna Sūri).
2) Vimala (विमल) is the wife of Kṣemandhara, who is a kulakara (law-giver) according to Digambara sources. The kulakaras (similair to the manus of the Brahmanical tradition) figure as important characters protecting and guiding humanity towards prosperity during ancient times of distress, whenever the kalpavṛkṣa (wishing tree) failed to provide the proper service.
These law-givers and their wifes (e.g., Vimalā) are listed in various Jain sources, such as the Bhagavatīsūtra and Jambūdvīpaprajñapti in Śvetāmbara, or the Tiloyapaṇṇatti and Ādipurāṇa in the Digambara tradition.
Source: archive.org: Sum Jaina Canonical Sutras (vividhatirthakalpa)Vimala (विमल), the commander-in-chief of an army, built, in front of the temple of Śrīmātā, a caitya adorned with the brazen image of Ṛṣabha. In 1088 Vikrama era, he constructed a temple, called Vimalavasati.
Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra1) Vimala (विमल) refers to the thirteenth of the twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras praised in the first book (ādīśvara-caritra) [chapter 1] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.—Accordingly, “[...] we worship the Arhats, who at all times and all places purify the people of the three worlds by their name, representation, substance, and actual existence. [...] May the words of Vimala Svāmin which are like powdered clearing-nut, be successful in clarifying the water of the mind of the three worlds”.
This Vimala was the son of Kṛtavarman and Śyāmā, according to chapter 4.3:—“King Kṛtavarman, delighted, celebrated his son’s birth-festival, which gave delight to all, with great magnificence. Because his mother was brilliant (vimala) while he was in the womb, the father himself gave him the name Vimala. [...]”.
2) Vimala (विमल) is the name of a vimāna (celestial car), according to chapter 1.2.
3) Vimala (विमल) is the name of a Vidyādhara-city, situated on mount Vaitāḍhya (in the northern row), according to chapter 1.3.
4) Vimala (विमल) or Vimalavāhana refers to an ancient king of Vatsa, according to chapter 2.1 [ajitanātha-caritra].
5) Vimalā (विमला) is the wife of king Kṣemaṅkara from Siddhārthapura, according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.5 [The kidnapping of Sītā].
6) Vimala (विमल) is the son of Ratimālā and Lakṣmaṇa (son of Sumitrā and Daśaratha), according to chapter 7.8 [The abandonment of Sītā].
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.
India history and geography
Source: OpenEdition books: Vividhatīrthakalpaḥ (History)Vimala (विमल) is the name of a minister, as is mentioned in the Vividhatīrthakalpa by Jinaprabhasūri (13th century A.D.): an ancient text devoted to various Jaina holy places (tīrthas).—Accordingly, “Vimala was able to appease the ruler of Gujarat (Bhīma I) whom his vassal, King Dhāndhūka had angered”.
Note: The allusion to the Vividhatīrthakalpa, more explicit in the Purātanaprabandhasaṃgraha (51.22-52.4), is confirmed by the inscription of the Vimalavasahi, dated 1321: "The Paramāra Dhandhu who was master of the city of Candrāvatī and was loath to pay homage to King Caulukya Bhīmadeva, sought refuge, to escape the wrath of this king, with Bhoja, master of Dhārā (EI IX p. 151 and 155-6).
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, 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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)Vimala in India is the name of a plant defined with Acacia concinna in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Mimosa rugata Lam. (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis (1825)
· N. Amer. Fl. (1928)
· Species Plantarum.
· Species Plantarum (1753)
· Flora Cochinchinensis (1790)
· A Numerical List of Dried Specimens (5250)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Vimala, for example pregnancy safety, extract dosage, chemical composition, side effects, health benefits, diet and recipes, have a look at these references.
This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryvimala : (adj.) clean; spotless; unstained.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryVimala, (adj.) (vi+mala) without stains, spotless, unstained, clean, pure A. IV, 340; Sn. 378, 476, 519, 637, 1131 (cp. Nd2 586); J. I, 18; Miln. 324; DhA. IV, 192. (Page 630)
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryvimala (विमल).—a S Clean, pure, free from dirt or foulness. 2 Auspicious--a season. Ex. prahara dōnhī niśā vimala kṣaṇī || pragaṭalā nija uttamalakṣaṇī ||.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishvimala (विमल).—a Clean, pure. Auspicious.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryVimala (विमल).—a.
1) Pure, stainless, spotless, clean (fig also).
2) Clear, limpid, pellucid, transparent (as water); विमलं जलम् (vimalaṃ jalam).
3) White, bright.
-laḥ 1 An Arhat.
2) A magical formula recited over weapons.
3) A lunar year.
-lam 1 Silver-gilt.
2) Talc.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryVimala (विमल).—(1) name of one or more former Buddhas: Mahāvastu i.140.10 (v.l. Vimala-, [compound] with foll. Marīcijāla); Śikṣāsamuccaya 169.9; Gaṇḍavyūha 104.15; (2) name of a disciple of Śākyamuni (= Pali id.; see s.v. Yaśodeva): Lalitavistara 1.9; Sukhāvatīvyūha 2.4; (3) name of a devaputra, (a) one of the 16 guardians of the bodhimaṇḍa: Lalitavistara 277.13; (b) as representative of a class of gods(?), (Ārya-)Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa 69.6; (4) name of a nāga king: Mahā-Māyūrī 246.27; (5) name of a samādhi: Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 458.2; Daśabhūmikasūtra 82.10.
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Vimalā (विमला).—(1) name of a princess: Mahāvastu i.348.12; (2) name of a deity of the park Vimalavyūha: Lalitavistara 122.10; (3) name of a rākṣasī: Mahā-Māyūrī 243.11; (4) name of a the second Bodhisattva- bhūmi: Daśabhūmikasūtra 5.8 etc.; Mahāvyutpatti 887; Dharmasaṃgraha 64; Asaṅga (Mahāyāna-sūtrālaṃkāra) [Page496-b+ 71] xx.33; Bodhisattvabhūmi 334.24; (5) name of one or more lokadhātus: (Ārya-)Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa 292.16; (in the east) Lalitavistara 290.9; (in the south) Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 265.6, 11; (6) name of a river, listed between Tapodā and Nairañjanā: Mahā-Māyūrī 253.8; probably not identifiable with rivers of this name in Kirfel, [Kosmographie der Inder], 65, 67, 68.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryVimala (विमल).—mfn.
(-laḥ-lā-laṃ) 1. Clean, pure, (either literally, as clothes, &c. or figuratively, as the heart or mind.) 2. Beautiful. 3. White. 4. Transparent. f.
(-lā) 1. A plant, commonly Charmaghas. 2. A sort of soil. m.
(-laḥ) An Arhat or Jaina deified sage. n.
(-laṃ) 1. Silvergilt. 2. Talc. E. vi privative, mala dirt.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryVimala (विमल).—I. adj. 1. clean, spotess,
Vimala is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms vi and mala (मल).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryVimala (विमल).—[adjective] stainless, clean, pure, bright; [abstract] tā [feminine], tva [neuter]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum1) Vimala (विमल) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—father of Padmapāda. Oxf. 255^a.
2) Vimala (विमल):—a tāntric teacher. Mentioned in Śaktiratnākara Oxf. 101^a.
3) Vimala (विमल):—Rāgacandrodaya, music.
4) Vimala (विमल):—Deśīnāmamālāyā Akārādyanukramaḥ.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Vimala (विमल):—[=vi-mala] [from vi] a See sub voce
2) [=vi-mala] b mf(ā)n. stainless, spotless, clean, bright, pure ([literally] and [figuratively]), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc. (le ind. at daybreak, [Mahābhārata v, 7247])
3) [v.s. ...] clear, transparent, [Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha]
4) [v.s. ...] white (See lebha)
5) [v.s. ...] m. a magical formula recited over weapons, [Rāmāyaṇa]
6) [v.s. ...] a [particular] Samādhi, [Buddhist literature]
7) [v.s. ...] a [particular] world, [ib.]
8) [v.s. ...] a lunar year, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
9) [v.s. ...] Name of an Asura, [Kathāsaritsāgara]
10) [v.s. ...] of a Deva-putra and Bodhimaṇḍa-pratipāla, [Lalita-vistara]
11) [v.s. ...] of a Bhikṣu, [ib.]
12) [v.s. ...] of a brother of Yaśas, [Buddhist literature]
13) [v.s. ...] (with Jainas) Name of the 5th Arhat in the past Utsarpiṇī and of the 13th in the present Avasarpiṇī, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
14) [v.s. ...] of a son of Su-dyumna, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
15) [v.s. ...] of the father of Padma-pāda, [Catalogue(s)]
16) [v.s. ...] of various authors (also with saracvatī), [ib.]
17) Vimalā (विमला):—[=vi-malā] [from vi-mala] f. a species of Opuntia, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
18) [v.s. ...] a [particular] Śakti, [Hemādri’s Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi]
19) [v.s. ...] Name of Dākṣāyaṇī in Puruṣôttama, [Catalogue(s)]
20) [v.s. ...] of a Yoginī, [Hemādri’s Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi]
21) [v.s. ...] of a daughter of Gandharvī, [Mahābhārata]
22) [v.s. ...] (with Buddhists) Name of one of the 10 Bhūmis or stages of perfection, [Dharmasaṃgraha 64]
23) Vimala (विमल):—[=vi-mala] n. silver gilt, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
24) [v.s. ...] Name of a town (See -pura)
25) [v.s. ...] of a Tantra
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryVimala (विमल):—[vi-mala] (laḥ-lā-laṃ) a. Spotless; beautiful. m. A Jaina sage. f. Sort of plant or soil. n. Silver gilt.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Vimala (विमल) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Vimala, Vimalā.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryVimala (विमल) [Also spelled vimal]:—(a) clear, clean; dirtless, spotless, flawless; pure; hence ~[tā] (nf).
...
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary1) Vimala (विमल) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Vimala.
2) Vimalā (विमला) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Vimalā.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusVimala (ವಿಮಲ):—
1) [adjective] clean; spotless; stainless.
2) [adjective] clear; transparent; not obscure.
3) [adjective] pure; free from adultrants; perfect.
4) [adjective] morlly pure; free from guilt; sinless.
5) [adjective] of the colour of pure snow; white.
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Vimala (ವಿಮಲ):—
1) [noun] the quality of being clean; spotlessness; stainlessness.
2) [noun] the quality of being clear; clearness.
3) [noun] the quality of being free from adultrants; pureness; perfectness.
4) [noun] the fact of being morlly pure, free from guilt; sinlessness.
5) [noun] the colour of pure snow; white colour.
6) [noun] a silver plate coated with gold.
7) [noun] one of the twenty eight Śivāgamas (holy scriptures).
8) [noun] (Dvaita phil.) one of the fourāgamas (holy scriptures) subclassified under Vaikhānasāgama.
9) [noun] (jain.) name of the thirteenth of the twenty four spiritual teachers of Jainism.
10) [noun] a Buddhist monk.
11) [noun] (jain.) name of one of the mythological mountains.
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Vimaḷa (ವಿಮಳ):—[adjective] = ವಿಮಲ [vimala]1.
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Vimaḷa (ವಿಮಳ):—[noun] = ವಿಮಲ [vimala]2.
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)
Partial matches: Vi, Maala, Mala.
Starts with (+111): Vimala Theri, Vimalabahu, Vimalabala, Vimalabha, Vimalabhadra, Vimalabhasa, Vimalabhudhara, Vimalabhumi, Vimalabodha, Vimalabrahmavarya, Vimalabuddhi, Vimalacakra, Vimalacakrabhanuprabha, Vimalacakrasamadhi, Vimalacandra, Vimalacandrasuri, Vimalachakrabhanuprabha, Vimaladana, Vimaladatta, Vimaladhammasuriya.
Ends with (+8): Anandavimala, Avimala, Bhojavimala, Cakravimala, Candravimala, Chakravimala, Chandravimala, Dhiravimala, Hemavimala, Jinavimala, Jnanavimala, Jyotivimala, Kamsyavimala, Kanakavimala, Kesharavimala, Manavimala, Nayavimala, Prabhatavimala, Pravimala, Ruciravimala.
Full-text (+256): Vimalamani, Vimaladri, Vimalatmaka, Taravimala, Vimalata, Vimalatman, Vimalarthaka, Vimaladana, Vaimalya, Vimalaprabha, Vimalita, Vimalakara, Vimaladatta, Vimaladitya, Vimalam, Vimalabhumi, Vimalapradipa, Vimalabhasa, Vimalavahana, Vimalaprashnottaramala.
Relevant text
Search found 96 books and stories containing Vimala, Vimalā, Vi-mala, Vi-malā, Vimaḷa; (plurals include: Vimalas, Vimalās, malas, malās, Vimaḷas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 4.7.18 < [Chapter 7 - The Story of the Ayodhya Women]
Verse 4.6.23 < [Chapter 6 - The Story of the Ayodhyā Women]
Verses 1.18.4-5 < [Chapter 18 - Vision of the Universal Form]
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 413 - The story of Venerable Moonlight < [Chapter 26 - Brāhmaṇa Vagga (The Brāhmaṇa)]
Verse 365-366 - The Story of the Traitor Monk < [Chapter 25 - Bhikkhu Vagga (The Monk)]
Verse 186-187 - The Story of a Discontented Young Monk < [Chapter 14 - Buddha Vagga (The Buddha)]
The Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)
Chapter 148 - Mode of worship for success in the battle (saṅgrama-vijaya-pūjā)
Chapter 73 - Mode of worshipping the Sun (sūrya-pūjā or arcana)
Hanuman Nataka (critical study) (by Nurima Yeasmin)
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Buddha Chronicle 13: Piyadassī Buddhavaṃsa < [Chapter 9 - The chronicle of twenty-four Buddhas]
Part 8 - Story of Candābha Thera < [Chapter 35 - Story of Māra]
Part 6 - Story of Cūlasubhaddā and her Father-in-Law, Ugga < [Chapter 35 - Story of Māra]
Samkhya thoughts in the Mahabharata (by Shini M.V.)
Twenty-six Tattvas of Sāṃkhya philosophy < [Chapter 4 - Sāṃkhya thoughts in the Śānti-parva of Mahābhārata]
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