Vimalavahana, Vimalavāhana: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Vimalavahana means something in Jainism, Prakrit, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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)
Source: Wisdom Library: JainismVimalavāhana (विमलवाहन) is the name of a kulakara (law-giver) according to both Śvetāmbara and Digambara sources. His wife is named Candrayaśā according to Śvetāmbara, but Sumati according to Digambara. 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 (e.g., Vimalavāhana) 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: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra1) Vimalavāhana (विमलवाहन) or “the white-vehicled” is another name for the incarnation of Sāgara (Sāgaracandra), according to chapter 1.2 [ādīśvara-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, “[Sāgara (incarnated)], even though unwilling, was made to mount his shoulder by the elephant [i.e., Aśokadatta (incarnated)], [...]. The other twins, their eyes wide-open with astonishment, saw him, like Indra, mounted on a four-tusked elephant. Then the twins called him by the name Vimalavāhana (‘the white-vehicled’), because ‘He is seated on an elephant white as the conch, jasmine, and moon’. [...] When half a year only of [Vimalavāhana’s] life remained, his wife Candrayaśas bore twins. [...]”.
2) Vimalavāhana (विमलवाहन) or simply Vimala refers to an ancient king of Vatsa, according to chapter 2.1 [ajitanātha-caritra].—Accordingly, “in this city (i.e., Vatsa) the king was Vimalavāhana, pure-minded, like the moon with white rays of virtues. Tender-hearted, he governed his subjects as if they were his own children, nourishing them, cherishing them, making them prosper, and endowing them with virtues. He had a severe standard and did not tolerate any transgression even on his own part”.
3) Vimalavāhana (विमलवाहन) is the name of an ancient teacher, according to chapter 4.5 [dharmanātha-caritra].—Accordingly:—“[...] Feeling strong disgust with pleasures, with no interest in his own body even, he [i.e., king Dṛḍharatha] abandoned his kingdom and subjects as easily as impurities of the body. Then the king went to the teacher Vimalavāhana, sole physician for the disease of the great pain of worldly existence. He, the crest-jewel of kings, received from him the shining jewel of right-conduct, hard to obtain, at the price of desire. [...]”.
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: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryVimalavāhana (विमलवाहन):—[=vi-mala-vāhana] [from vi-mala] m. Name of two princes, [Śatruṃjaya-māhātmya]
[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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Vahana, Vimala.
Full-text (+37): Cakshushmat, Ahamindra, Candrakanta, Kulakara, Candrayashas, Candrayasha, Sthalashringata, Ukshasana, Uksha, Vajra, Danda, Virasana, Vajrasana, Amrakubjasana, Krauncasana, Dandasana, Hamsasana, Sopashraya, Kapalikaranasana, Kayotsargaasana.
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Vimalavahana, Vimalavāhana, Vimala-vahana, Vimala-vāhana; (plurals include: Vimalavahanas, Vimalavāhanas, vahanas, vāhanas). 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 8: Utsarpiṇi < [Chapter XIII - Śrī Mahāvīra’s nirvāṇa]
Part 10: Future Cakrins < [Chapter XIII - Śrī Mahāvīra’s nirvāṇa]
Part 9: Initiation of Vimalavāhana < [Chapter I - Previous incarnation as Vimalavāhana]
Jain Remains of Ancient Bengal (by Shubha Majumder)
Images of Tīrthaṅkara Vimalanātha < [Chapter 6 - Iconographic Study of Jaina Sculptural Remains]
Kalpa-sutra (Lives of the Jinas) (by Hermann Jacobi)