Shankukarna, Śaṅkukarṇa, Shanku-karna: 19 definitions
Introduction:
Shankukarna means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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.
The Sanskrit term Śaṅkukarṇa can be transliterated into English as Sankukarna or Shankukarna, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: Wisdom Library: PāñcarātraŚaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण):—One of the eight guardians of Vaikuṇṭha, according to the Pāñcarātra literature. These eight guardians are part of the celestial entourage of Viṣṇu.
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण) refers to one of the eight deities associated with the first prākāra (wall) of the temple, as discussed in the ninth chapter of the Īśvarasaṃhitā (printed edition), a Pāñcarātra work in 8200 verses and 24 chapters dealing with topics such as routines of temple worship, major and minor festivals, temple-building and initiation.—Description of the chapter [dvārāvaraṇa-devatālakṣaṇa-ādi-vidhi]: This chapter concerns the daily ritual obligations owed to the deities whose abodes are fixed in the temple doorways—[...] In the first prākāra-wall, proceeding clockwise, one will encounter the stations of Kumuda and Kumudākṣa, Puṇḍarīka and Vāmana, Śaṅkukarṇa and Sarvanetra, Sumukha and Supratiṣṭha in the eight directions (31-49a). Elsewhere will be found Jaya and Vijaya (50-513).
2) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण) is the name of a deity associated with Hari’s entourage, as discussed in chapter 27 of the Viṣvaksenasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 2800 Sanskrit verses dealing with theological matters, image-worship, iconography (relating to pratimā-icons) and the construction of temples.—Description of the chapter [utsava-vidhi]: [...] Nārada asks to know the entourage of Hari who are properly to receive bali-offerings during utsava-routines. Viṣvaksena’s reply comes in a long passage of mixed prose and verse in which he undertakes to name and describe in iconographical detail a number of deities and their respective entourages: Kumuda, Kumudākṣa, Puṇḍarīka, Vāmana, Śaṅkukarṇa, Sarpanetra, Sumukha and Pratiṣṭhita; also Brahmā is added to this list. Nārada then requests information regarding the mantras proper to each of the several deities mentioned above as well as the proper modes of honoring them liturgically (43). [...]
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra1) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण) is the Sanskrit name of one of Bharata’s sons, mentioned in the Nāṭyaśāstra 1.26-33. After Brahmā created the Nāṭyaveda (nāṭyaśāstra), he ordered Bharata to teach the science to his (one hundred) sons. Bharata thus learned the Nāṭyaveda from Brahmā, and then made his sons study and learn its proper application. After their study, Bharata assigned his sons (eg., Śaṅkukarṇa) various roles suitable to them.
2) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण) is the name of a God of the drums (puṣkara) according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 33. Accordingly, “Vajrekṣaṇa, Śaṅkukarṇa and Mahāgrāmaṇī are said to be gods of murajas (drums)”.
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).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa1) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण).—One of the eight principal ministers of Mahiṣāsura, an asura chieftain from the city Mahiṣa, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 93. All of these ministers were learned, valiant and just.
2) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण).—One of the twelve rākṣasas facing the twelve ādityas in the battle of the gods (devas) between the demons (asuras), according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 94. This battle was initiated by Mahiṣāsura in order to win over the hand of Vaiṣṇavī, the form of Trikalā having a red body representing the energy of Viṣṇu. Trikalā is the name of a Goddess born from the combined looks of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara (Śiva).
The Varāhapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century. It is composed of two parts and Sūta is the main narrator.
Source: Wisdom Library: Skanda-puranaŚaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण) is the name of a gaṇa (attendant of Śiva), mentioned in the Skandapurāṇa 4.2.53. In this chapter, Śiva (Giriśa) summons his attendants (gaṇas) and ask them to venture towards the city Vārāṇasī (Kāśī) in order to find out what the yoginīs, the sun-god, Vidhi (Brahmā) were doing there.
While the gaṇas such as Śaṅkukarṇa were staying at Kāśī, they were desirous but unable of finding a weakness in king Divodaśa who was ruling there. Kāśī is described as a fascinating place beyond the range of Giriśa’s vision, and as a place where yoginīs become ayoginīs, after having come in contact with it. Kāśī is described as having both the power to destroy great delusion, as well as creating it.
The Skandapurāṇa narrates the details and legends surrounding numerous holy pilgrimages (tīrtha-māhātmya) throughout India. It is the largest Mahāpurāṇa composed of over 81,000 metrical verses, with the core text dating from the before the 4th-century CE.
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia1) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण).—A muni, who lived at the sacred Kapardīśvara tīrtha in Vārāṇasī. There lived a brahmin in the temple there performing tapas. One day a lean and bony ghost, hungry and panting came to the brahmin. To the brahmin’s question the ghost replied thus; "In my previous life I was a rich brahmin. I looked after my family well, but did not worship Devas, guests or cows. Nor did I do any pious deed. But, one day I happened to worship Lord Viśvanātha and touch his idol. Within a short period after that I died. You will please tell me the means, if any, for me to attain heaven."
Śaṅkukarṇa answered the ghost as follows:—"There lives no man on earth, who is more fortunate than your good self, who could touch and prostrate before Lord Viśvanātha. That good fortune has led you to me. You bathe in this holy tīrtha and you will lose your ghosthood. The ghost, accordingly dived in the water and immediately rose up to heaven. (Padma Purāṇa, Ādi Khaṇḍa, Chapter 34).
2) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण).—A nāga born in the Dhṛtarāṣṭra dynasty. It was burnt to death at the serpent yajña conducted by Janamejaya. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 57, Verse 15).
3) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण).—An attendant of Śiva. He lives in the court of Kubera. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 10, Verse 34).
4) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण).—One of the two attendants presented by Pārvatī to Subrahmaṇya, the other being Puṣpadanta. (Śalya Parva, Chapter 45, Verse 51).
5) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण).—A warrior of Subrahmaṇya. (Śalya Parva, Chapter 45, Verse 56).
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationŚaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण) is the name of a Gaṇa-chief who participated in Vīrabhadra’s campaign against Dakṣa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.33. Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“O Nārada, listen to the numerical strength of the most important and courageous of those groups. [...] The chief of Gaṇas—Śaṅkukarṇa went ahead with ten crores of his attendants; Kekarākṣa with ten crores and Vikṛta with eight crores. [...] Thus at the bidding of Śiva, the heroic Vīrabhadra went ahead followed by crores and crores, thousands and thousands, hundreds and hundreds of Gaṇas [viz., Śaṅkukarṇa]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण).—The Asura in Tatvalam (Atalam, Vāyu-purāṇa.);1 one of Danu's sons.2
1b) (Vighneśvara); informed Maheśvara of the medicinal tank of waters created by Maya.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 44. 66; Matsya-purāṇa 136. 48, 51.
1c) Created by Dakṣa.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 4. 52.
1d) A place sacred to Śiva.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 181. 27.
Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.52.14, I.57, IX.44.47, IX.44.52, IX.44.96) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Śaṅkukarṇa) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism1) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण) is a Sanskrit word referring to one of the sixty-eight places hosting a svāyambhuvaliṅga, one of the most sacred of liṅgas according to the Śaivāgamas. The presiding deity residing over the liṅga in this place (Śaṅkukarṇa) is named Mahātejas. The list of sixty-eight svāyambhuvaliṅgas is found in the commentary of the Jirṇoddhāra-daśaka by Nigamajñānadeva. The word liṅga refers to a symbol used in the worship of Śiva and is used thoughout Śaiva literature, such as the sacred Āgamas.
2) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण) is the name of a daitya chief, presiding over Ābhāsa, according to the Parākhyatantra 5.44-45. Ābhāsa refers to one of the seven pātālas (‘subterranean paradise’). The word pātāla in this tantra refers to subterranean paradises for seekers of otherworldly pleasures and each the seven pātālas is occupied by a regent of the daityas, nāgas and rākṣasas.
The Parākhyatantra is an old Śaiva-siddhānta tantra dating from before the 10th century.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram1) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण) refers to one of the eight Heroes (vīra-aṣṭaka) associated with Pūrṇagiri or Pūrṇapīṭha (which is located in the northern quarter), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—[...] The eight heroes (vīrāṣṭaka): Chadmaka, Pramāthin, Prakṛṣṭa, Pramodin, Śaṅkukarṇa, Gokarṇa, Saṃvatsara, Mahotsava.
2) Śaṅkūkarṇa (शङ्कूकर्ण) refers to one of the “nine Siddhas” belonging to the Divyādivya (“divine-cum-mortal current”), as discussed in the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra.—[The seven Siddhas] are followed by the Nine Siddhas who are emanated from the deity’s radiant energy and are worshipped in the Cavity of Brahmā. Of these nine, three are in the sky, three are in the netherworlds and three are on the earth.—Śaṅkūkarṇa is also associated with Bali of the Divyaugha or Gurvogha (“current of the teachers”) and with Kamala of the Siddhaugha (“the current of the Siddhas”).
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.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan BuddhismŚaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण) is the name of a Rākṣasa 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 Śaṅkukarṇa).
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryŚaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण).—a. spike-eared; महावृक्षगलस्कन्धः शङ्कुकर्णो बिभीषणः (mahāvṛkṣagalaskandhaḥ śaṅkukarṇo bibhīṣaṇaḥ) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 1.152.4.
-rṇaḥ an ass.
Śaṅkukarṇa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms śaṅku and karṇa (कर्ण).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण).—m.
(-rṇaḥ) An ass. E. śaṅku a javelin, and karṇa the ear.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण).—I. adj., f. ṇā, having ears like a javelin, Mahābhārata 1, 6662; ṇī, [Rāmāyaṇa] 5, 18, 24. Ii. m. 1. an ass. 2. a proper name, [Pañcatantra] 87, 12. Ṣaṭkarṇa, i. e.
Śaṅkukarṇa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms śaṅku and karṇa (कर्ण).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण).—[adjective] spike-eared (also rṇin); [masculine] [Name] of a Dānava etc.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Śaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण):—[=śaṅku-karṇa] [from śaṅku] mf(ī or ā)n. having pointed ears, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] becomes śaṅkū-karṇa when it means ‘having the ear marked with a śaṅku or like a ś°’, [Pāṇini vi]. 2, 112; vi, 3-115
3) [v.s. ...] m. an ass, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] Name of a Dānava, [Harivaṃśa]
5) [v.s. ...] of one of Skanda’s attendants, [Mahābhārata]
6) [v.s. ...] of a serpent-demon, [ib.]
7) [v.s. ...] of a Rākṣasa, [Rāmāyaṇa]
8) [v.s. ...] of a son of Janam-ejaya, [Mahābhārata]
9) [v.s. ...] of a camel, [Pañcatantra]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚaṅkukarṇa (शङ्कुकर्ण):—[śaṅku-karṇa] (rṇaḥ) 1. m. An ass.
[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: Shanku, Karna, Canku.
Starts with: Shankukarnamukha.
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Full-text (+19): Shankukarnamukha, Shankukarnin, Sthirashankukarna, Shankukarneshvara, Shankushravana, Vajrekshana, Vapushtama, Sthunakarna, Pramodin, Chadmaka, Pramathin, Muraja, Samvatsara, Prakrishta, Bhanda, Mahagramani, Gokarna, Pushpadanta, Mahatejas, Mahotsava.
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