In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. Vetarani. A river in Maha niraya (S.i.21; SN. vs. 674). Buddhaghosa explains (SNA.ii.482) that this is the name of a mahata kharaodika nadi (the great Caustic River) referred to in the Devadatta Sutta (M.iii.185). Its waters are sharp and bitter (tinhadhara, khuradhara) (SN. vs. 674; cf. J.v.269), and the river flows by the Asipattavana. When beings enter it to bathe and drink (because it looks like a sheet of water) they are hacked by swords and other sharp weapons which stand concealed along the river bank. (SNA.ii.482; J.v.275; vi. 105; where a long description is given of the horrors of Vetarani.) Sometimes Vetarani is used in a general way to indicate Niraya. (As desanasisa e.g. J.iii.473; SA.i.48; cf. J.iv.273). Those guilty of abortion are reborn in the Vetaraninadi (J.v.269), as are also oppressors of the weak (J.vi.106).

2. Vetarani. A physician of old, famous for curing snake bites. J.iv.496.

context information

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).

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Vetaraṇī (वेतरणी).— The vetaraṇīs are a group of celestial beings living in the lower regions of adholoka (lower world) according to Jaina cosmology. Adholoka is made up of seven regions and offers residence to the infernal beings existing within these lands.

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.

India history and geography

Source: Ancient Buddhist Texts: Geography of Early Buddhism

Vetaraṇī (वेतरणी) (or in Sanskrit Vaitaraṇa) is the name of a river situated in Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—The river Vetaraṇī is referred to in the Saṃyutta where it is stated to be the river Yama. The Buddhist tradition, therefore, seems to support the Brahmanical tradition of the Vaitaraṇī being the Yama’s river. In this river [Vetaraṇī] the hellish creatures suffer. It is the river Vaitaraṇī in Orissa and is mentioned in the Mahābhārata as being situated in Kāliṅga. Vetaraṇī is again identified with the river Dantura which rises near Nāsik and is in the north of Bassein.

This sacred river [Vetaraṇī] is said to have been brought down to the earth by Parasurāma (cf. Padma-purāṇa and Matsya-purāṇa). According to the Mahābhārata it is a river in Kurukshetra. It is further identified with a river in Gharwal on the road between Kedara and Badrinātha.

context information

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

vetaraṇī : (f.) name of a river.

context information

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with: Vetaraniyam, Vetaraniyan.

Full-text: Vetaranni, Vaitarana, Dhammantari, Kuthati, Khuradhara, Nadi, Kantaka, Yama.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Vetarani, Vetaraṇī, Vetaranī; (plurals include: Vetaranis, Vetaraṇīs, Vetaranīs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)

Jataka 530: Saṃkicca-jātaka < [Volume 5]

Jataka 541: Nimi-jātaka < [Volume 6]

Jataka 544: Mahānāradakassapa-jātaka < [Volume 6]

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