Crocodile: 5 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
1. Shilpashastra
2. Yoga
India history
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Introduction:

Crocodile means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity, the history of ancient India. 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.

Images (photo gallery)

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In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (shilpa)

The Crocodile is associated with various deities, whose iconography is described in the Vi峁ａ箛udharmottarapur膩峁嘺, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.鈥擨n the Vi峁ａ箛udharmottarapur膩峁嘺, the attire, accessories, weapons, carrier, different colours etc. of the idols of different deities are projected which are taken for discussion here. It is clear that the book offers a great field of knowledge regarding the nuances of Indian art of Image making [e.g., the crocodile] during 10th鈥�11th century A.D.

The Crocodile of Varu峁嘺.鈥擨n the Vi峁ａ箛udharmottarapur膩峁嘺, it is said that the image of Varu峁嘺 should be placed on a chariot with seven swans. But according to the K膩艣yapa艣ilpa as well as the 艢ilparatna, the idol of Varu峁嘺 should be seated on a crocodile. The point to be noted here is that though the Vi峁ａ箛udharmottarapur膩峁嘺 does not accept crocodile as the 腻蝉补苍补 of Varu峁嘺, this work says that there should be a flag having a symbol of a crocodile in the left side of the idol of Varu峁嘺. [...] Moreover, the images of Ga峁単膩 and Yamun膩 are also placed in the right and left side of the image of Varu峁嘺 respectively. The image of Ga峁単膩 should be placed on a crocodile and should hold 肠腻尘补谤补 i.e., bushy tail of yak

The Crocodile of N膩satya (i.e., the twin god A艣vins).鈥擜ccording to the Skandapur膩峁嘺 N膩satyas or the twin god A艣vins are the excellent physicians. In the 峁歡veda, the chariot of the A艣vins are said to be associated with a bull and a crocodile.

context information

Shilpashastra (啶多た啶侧啶ざ啶距じ啷嵿い啷嵿ぐ, 艣ilpa艣膩stra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Yoga (school of philosophy)

: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

The Crocodiles (symbolizing the senses) are denoted by the Sanskrit term Gr膩ha, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.鈥擜ccordingly, as 莫艣vara says to V膩madeva: 鈥淸...] [The Yogin] who has bathed in the no-mind lake, which is free from the crocodiles of the senses (颈苍诲谤颈测补-驳谤腻丑补-苍颈谤尘耻办迟补) and whose water is free from the wind and pure, obtains the supreme nectar. This natural, no-mind [state] has been taught thus [to V膩madeva] directly by 艢iva [himself] for the awakening of his disciples. However, [the no-mind state] is eternal, aspectless, undifferentiated, not expressible by speech and can only be experienced by oneself alone. [...]鈥�.

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as 腻蝉补苍补s (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

India history and geography

: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri鈥檚 Kuvalayamala-katha (history)

Crocodiles were commonly depicted on the Sa峁僺膩racakra paintings (representing scenes of animal life), in ancient India, as mentioned in the Kath膩s (narrative poems) such as Uddyotanas奴ri in his 8th-century Kuvalayam膩l膩 (a Prakrit Camp奴, similar to K膩vya poetry).鈥擯age 185.21 f.: Here follows a description of a printed scroll illustrating the Jaina conception of 蝉补峁僺腻谤补肠补办谤补. [...] The 蝉补峁僺腻谤补-肠补办谤补 illustrated the three worlds of hell, human world and the world of gods. [For example:] Large fish swallowing smaller fish; crocodiles swallowing their own species.

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.

Relevant text

Search found 202 books and stories containing Crocodile, Crocodiles, The crocodile; (plurals include: Crocodiles, Crocodileses, The crocodiles). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Story 75 - The Crocodile And The Jackal < [Part II (e) - Stories of the Kinnaras]

Story 32 - The Crocodile鈥檚 Wedding < [Part I - Stories told by the Cultivating Caste and Vaeddas]

Story 63 - The Jackal鈥檚 Judgment < [Part II (c) - Stories of the Durayas]

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Chapter CXVII - The Jackal and the Crocodiles < [Part II]

Chapter CXXIII - The Jackal and the Leopards < [Part II]

Chapter LVII - The Raja’s Advice < [Part I]

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Chapter 46 - The arches (tora峁嘺)

Chapter 47 - The central theatre (madhyara峁単a)

Chapter 51 - The Triad (trim奴rti: Brahm膩, Vi峁ａ箛u, and Mahe艣a/艢iva)

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