In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Bhānukarṇa (भानुकर्ण) is the name of a brother of Rāvaṇa, the eighth Prativāsudeva according to both Śvetāmbara and Digambara sources. He is also known by the name Kumbhakarṇa. Jain legends describe nine such Prativāsudevas (anti-heroes) usually appearing as powerful but evil antagonists instigating Vāsudeva by subjugating large portions of Bharata-land. As such, they are closely related with the twin brothers known as the Vāsudevas (“violent heroes”) and the Baladevas (“gentle heroes”).

According to the Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacarita 7.1, the mother of Bhānukarṇa and Rāvaṇa is named Ratnaśravas and his mother Kaikasī. They have another brother named Bibhīṣaṇa, and a sister named Candraṇakhā (or Śūrpaṇakhā).

The Prativāsudevas (such as Daśamukha) fight against the twin-heroes with their cakra-weapon but at the final moment are killed by the Vāsudevas. Their stories are narrated in the Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacarita (“the lives of the sixty-three illustrious persons”), a twelfth-century Śvetāmbara work by Hemacandra.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Bhānukarṇa (भानुकर्ण) (also called Kumbhakarṇa) is a son of Rākṣasa Ratnaśravas (son of Sumālin) and Vidyādharī Kaikasī (daughter of Vyomabindu), according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.1 [origin of the rākṣasavaṃśa and vānaravaṃśa] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly, “[...] Kaikasī bore another son, indicated by the dream of a sun, named Bhānukarṇa, and also called by another name, Kumbhakarṇa. Kaikasī bore a daughter, named Candraṇakhā, because her nails were like the moon. She was called Śūrpaṇakhā by the people. After some time had passed Kaikasī again bore a son, named Bibhīṣaṇa, indicated by the dream of a moon. The three full brothers, full sixteen bows tall, played agreeably day by day, fearless, in play suitable for their ages at that time. [...]”.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Kumbhakarna, Bibhishana, Shurpanakha, Candranakha, Kaikasi, Lankesha, Ratnashravas, Dashamukha, Ravana.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Bhanukarna, Bhānukarṇa; (plurals include: Bhanukarnas, Bhānukarṇas). 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 3: Birth of Rāvaṇa < [Chapter I - Origin of the Rākṣasavaṃśa and Vānaravaṃśa]

Introduction to volume 4 < [Introductions]

Part 3: War between the Rākṣasas and Vānaras < [Chapter VII - The killing of Rāvaṇa]

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