Yavanadvipa, Yavanadvīpa, Yavana-dvipa: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Yavanadvipa 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»] — Yavanadvipa in Jainism glossary
Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Yavanadvīpa (यवनद्वीप) refers to an ancient country, according to chapter 2.4 [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:—“'At the end of the eight-day festival, Sagara instructed his general to conquer the west district (See Sindhuniṣkuṭa and Gaṅgāniṣkuṭa) of the Sindhu with half his army. [...] The general invaded the Siṃhalokas, the Barbarakas, Taṅkaṇas and others, and Yavanadvīpa. [...] Returning from its extremity, the general remained in its plain, like an elephant returned from water-play. The Mlecchas, lords of isolated villages, towns, villages, etc., went from all sides to him there as if drawn by a noose. [...]”.

Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha

Yavanadvīpa (यवनद्वीप) is the name of an ancient country and destiny of Sea-voyages of ancient India, according to Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—There is a reference again to a sea-voyage undertaken by Sāgaradatta of Campā with his starting from a big sea port of south India named Mahāsamudra-nagarī Jayaśrī with its destination to Yavanadvīpa. Details about the taking off of the boat are similar to those already given. Sāgaradatta sold the goods in Yavanadvīpa and purchased from there gems and precious stones and took emerald, pearls, gold and silver as his pratibhāṃḍa of the value of seven crores. A special official of the ship is named as pañjara-puruṣa (106.6), the person who made observation from the high top of the mast. In the time of a storm the ropes and riggings were unfastened, the sails were rolled up, the goods on the ship were consigned to the hull, and the ship was brought to a standstill.

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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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