Significance of Calamity
In various traditions, calamity denotes a significant misfortune or disastrous event leading to immense distress. In Jainism, calamity encompasses unfortunate occurrences linked to divine commands and moral failings. Similarly, Vaishnavism mentions calamity as events causing great distress, prompting divine protection. The Purana perspective highlights disasters resulting from human actions, while Ayurveda advises avoiding actions that lead to such outcomes. Overall, calamity serves as a central theme representing adversity across religious and philosophical contexts, emphasizing the serious implications of human choices and circumstances.
Synonyms: Disaster, Catastrophe, Misfortune, Tragedy, Adversity, Mishap, Crisis, Distress
In Dutch: Calamiteit; In Finnish: Onnettomuus; In Spanish: Calamidad; In German: ±«²Ô²µ±ôü³¦°ì; In Swedish: Katastrof; In Malay: Musibah; In French: °ä²¹±ô²¹³¾¾±³Ùé
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Calamity'
In Buddhism, "Calamity" signifies a disastrous event causing suffering or misfortune, whether through neglecting guidance, impacting spiritual practice, or manifesting as significant disasters, as described in paritta suttas aimed at overcoming such challenges.
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) A disastrous event or situation that brings significant suffering or misfortune.[1]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) The unfortunate outcome that occurs as a result of disregarding advice, specifically the master impaling himself.[2]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) A disastrous event; as people's lifespan decreases further, significant disasters such as fire and water floods will occur.[3]
Hindu concept of 'Calamity'
In Hinduism, Calamity embodies various disastrous events, from personal misfortunes to wide-scale destruction, prompting divine intervention and highlighting the consequences of actions, misjudgments, and relational conflicts among characters, particularly in narratives like those of Sita and Yudhishthira.
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) A significant disaster that has befallen Yudhishthira and his kin due to their actions in war.[4] (2) A term used to describe the extreme distress and misfortune that befell Drona's son due to his decisions.[5] (3) A term used by Markandeya to describe the misfortune experienced by Yudhishthira and the Pandavas.[6] (4) A great misfortune or disaster affecting people, specifically in this context, the characters.[7] (5) A significant misfortune or disaster that has befallen the king due to his own faults.[8]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)
(1) Refers to the disastrous events that have befallen Sita due to Raghava's death.[9] (2) A disastrous occurrence or situation, especially as it relates to cohabitation with the spirit of brahmanicide.[10] (3) The consequence of believing in an error related to the boons granted to Kaikeyi, as expressed by Lakshmana.[11] (4) The disastrous consequence of all sons attempting to occupy the throne, which Manthara warns against.[12] (5) A disaster or misfortune, underscoring the severity of Rama's separation from Lakshmana.[13]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The unfortunate situation where the King finds himself without resources and facing moral dilemmas.[14]
From: Harivamsha Purana
(1) A significant event resulting in great misfortune, particularly relating to Kamsa's demise.[15]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) A disaster or unfortunate event leading to significant distress or hardship.[16] (2) A disastrous event or situation that threatens the well-being of an individual.[17]
From: Chaitanya Mangala
(1) Any misfortune that Shaci-devi implored Goddess Sashthi to protect her son from.[18] (2) A looming disaster threatening the world, prompting divine intervention and communication among celestial beings.[19]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) A disastrous event that causes great distress, as seen when Yashoda became insane due to Krishna's entry into the lake of Kaliya.[20] (2) A disastrous event or situation that can lead to confusion of the mind, categorized as one of the causes of 'avega'.[21]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A state of suffering or distress from which Shri Vrindavana dasa Thakura aims to deliver deluded individuals.[22]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) Calamity is a term used to refer to the potential disasters or threats that may occur next.[23]
From: Prem Sagar (English translation)
(1) Krishna's exaggerated expression of taking food at that moment, showcasing his dramatic nature.[24]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) The unfortunate event of the young Brahman's death, causing sorrow among his family and friends.[25] (2) Unfavorable events such as illness or death of kin that indicate guilt during the test of innocence.[26] (3) The misfortune experienced by Pururavas when Urvashi is taken away from him, which he attributes to the curse he received.[27]
From: Harsha-charita
(1) A disastrous event causing great damage or distress.[28]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) An unfortunate event impacting the debtor's ability to repay the debt.[29]
From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)
(1) Disastrous events that the student is instructed to avoid causing through any actions.[30]
Jain concept of 'Calamity'
In Jainism, Calamity encompasses significant misfortunes resulting from reliance on power over wisdom, dire consequences faced by characters like Sugriva and Kanakavati, and disastrous events linked to deception, divine commands, and misunderstandings.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) A great misfortune that Kanakavati is warned of if she violates the command of a god.[31] (2) Refers to the disastrous event surrounding Lakshmana's state, which remains unknown to Rama at first.[32] (3) A distressing event referred to by the step-mother in her argument before the King.[33] (4) The dire situation Sugriva faces concerning the false Sugriva’s actions towards Tara.[34] (5) A significant misfortune or disaster, referenced within the context of vocabulary relating to adversity.[35]
The concept of Calamity in local and regional sources
Calamity encompasses various disastrous events impacting characters and narratives within Indian drama, representing misfortune, violence, and conflict, as seen in the grocer’s protection, Tuka’s loss, and Phoolwati's struggles with Devkinath's remarriage.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) A disastrous event, specifically referring to the assault on Surayya's daughter, highlighting the theme of violence and injustice.[36] (2) A theme in Indian drama, referenced in Kalidasa’s choice for a happier ending in Sakuntalam.[37] (3) A significant and unfortunate event or situation, referring to the lack of cooperation from the cultured classes.[38] (4) Phoolwati's perspective on Devkinath's impending remarriage, seeing it as a disaster that she must confront.[39]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) A disastrous event that could have befallen the grocer if he had not been protected.[40] (2) A disastrous event or situation that poses a threat to the peace of the characters involved.[41] (3) A significant misfortune experienced by Tuka when his manuscripts were sunk, impacting his devotion and purpose.[42]