A
Chakravartin (
, a
Sanskrit bahuvrīhi, literally "whose wheels are moving", in the sense of "whose chariot is rolling everywhere without obstruction". It can also be analyzed as an 'instrumental bahuvrīhi: "through whom the wheel is moving", in the meaning of "through whom the
Dharmachakra (
Wheel of Dharma) is turning" (most commonly used in Buddhism and Hinduism);
Pali cakkavatti, also interpreted as "for whom the
Wheel of Dharma is turning") is a term used in
Indian religions for an ideal universal ruler, who rules ethically and benevolently over the entire world. Such a ruler's reign is called
sarvabhauma.
In
Buddhism and
Jainism, three types of Chakravartins are distinguished:
- cakravala cakravartin, a ruler over all four continents postulated in ancient Indian cosmography
- dvipa cakravartin a ruler over only one of four continents
- pradesa cakravartin, a ruler over only part of a continent.
The first references to a
cakravala cakravartin appear in monuments of the
Maurya period (322–185 BCE), dedicated to
Ashoka the Great. It has not been generally used for any other historic figure. The
cakravartin in Buddhism came to be considered the secular counterpart of a
Buddha. According to
Buddha Shakyamuni in the
Majjhima Nikaya a woman can never be(come) a chakravartin.
Bhikshuni Heng-Ching Shih states referring to women in Buddhism: "Women are said to have five obstacles, namely being incapable of becoming a Brahma King, 'Sakra', King 'Mara', Cakravartin or Buddha."
The Maitreyi
Upanishad (1.4) uses the term for kings who had renounced their royal prerogatives in favour of
asceticism.
In general, the term applies to temporal as well as spiritual kingship and leadership, particularly in
Buddhism and
Jainism. In
Hinduism, the term generally denotes a powerful ruler, whose dominion extended to the entire earth.
Mahabharata
In the
Mahabharata, twelve princes beginning with
Bharata are considered Chakravartins.
- Bharat was the son of the Puru Dynasty. India (Bhārat, in Sanskrit:भारत) is named after him. He was able to conquer the whole subcontinent. There are some disputes over whether Bharat conquered India or certain parts of India. Some believe that he even conquered regions outside of the Subcontinent such as Afghanistan (then referred to as Gandhara) and Tibet (then referred to as Bhuta).
- Shibi, famous in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. He sacrificed his flesh. There have been several dynasties which have claimed heritage from Emperor Shibi's line. The Cholas were one of the dynasties and they referred to him as Sembiyan.
Jainism
- Adinath, the 1st Tirthankar and is said to be the father of King Bharat.
In Jainism, a chakravartin was characterized by possession of
saptaratna, that is, the seven jewels, consisting of, charka, queen, chariot, jewel, wealth, horse, and elephant. Additionally, the list also included a prime minister and a son (
navaratna). A chakravartin is considered an ideal human being endowed with thirty-two major signs of excellence and many minor signs of excellence.
Important quotes
from External Links
from Buddhist Wisdom Books, The Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra, translated and explained by Edward Conze
from The Diamond That Cuts Through Illusion , commentaries on the Prajñaparamita
Diamond Sutra, Thich Nhat Hanh
from Cakkavatti Sutta
