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Significance of Lion

The lion is a significant symbol across various traditions in South Asia, representing strength, power, and leadership. In Hinduism, it embodies vigor and is linked to strength. Jainism regards the lion as a king symbolizing fearlessness. In Vaishnavism, it represents dominance, particularly through the form of Nrisimha-deva. The Purana characterizes it as a powerful mount of the goddess, while in Mahayana, it appears before the Buddha, signifying reverence. Overall, the lion serves as a powerful emblem of authority and protection in these narratives.1
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Synonyms: Wild cat, Carnivore

In Malay: Singa; In French: Lion; In Dutch: Leeuw; In Finnish: Leijona; In Spanish: 尝别贸苍; In German: 尝枚飞别; In Swedish: Lejon

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Lion'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, the Lion symbolizes strength, wisdom, and respect for the Buddha's teachings, embodying leadership and protection while also cautioning against danger, as illustrated by its interactions with other animals in various narratives.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6

(1) A significant character in the story, representing strength and wisdom, and a teacher to the Boar.[1] (2) The king of beasts who is asked by the Hawk for protection against danger.[2] (3) The king chosen by the quadrupeds, representing leadership and power among animals.[3]

From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka

(1) A carnivorous animal whose flesh was sought after but resulted in danger for the monks.[4]

Theravada 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).

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) A symbolic figure that appeared before the Buddha, representing respect and reverence towards his teachings.[5]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Hindu concept of 'Lion'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, the lion symbolizes power, strength, and authority, embodying the goddess's might and serving as a protector. It plays a significant role in narratives, representing dominion, courage, and the force behind divine encounters.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Garga Samhita (English)

(1) The animal that is central to the narrative, representing power and the force that was killed.[6] (2) A symbol of strength and power in the context of the text.[7] (3) A lion that was also found dead alongside Prasena in the forest.[8]

From: Prem Sagar (English translation)

(1) A powerful animal that killed Pursen and took the jewel into its cave.[9]

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) Represents strength and power, especially in reference to the form of Nrisimha-deva, indicating dominance and protection.[10]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (鈥榯en avatars of Vishnu鈥�).

Significance in Hinduism (general):

From: Satapatha-brahmana

(1) The lion is seen as vigour and is connected to the covering metre Aticchandas, indicating its encompassing strength.[11] (2) The animal that came from the might flowing from Indra's blood, representing the ruler of wild beasts.[12]

Significance in Kavya (poetry):
Kavya Books

From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)

(1) A wild beast that threatens Naravahanadatta and his horses, leading to an encounter that tests the prince鈥檚 courage.[13]

Kavya refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or 鈥榚pic poetry鈥� and natya, or 鈥榙ramatic poetry鈥�.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) The powerful Vahana (mount) of the Devi, which roars loudly and instills terror in the Danavas.[14]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Jain concept of 'Lion'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, "Lion" symbolizes a powerful king embodying strength and fearlessness, represents a big cat with a lifespan of ten sagaras, and signifies danger through its harm to the muni, illustrating both resilience and peril.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) A symbolic representation of the King, emphasizing his strength and fearlessness against adversities.[15] (2) A reference to the animal that inflicted harm on the muni, symbolizing danger or strength.[16] (3) A big cat that died and experienced a life-duration of ten sagaras.[17]

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, 鈥榮elf-reliance鈥�) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Lion in local and regional sources

History Books

The keyphrase "Lion" in the text symbolizes strength and leadership, representing a character who confronts challenges and embodies higher consciousness, while also illustrating the dynamic struggle between power and cunning, particularly against the jackal.

Significance in South Asia:
South Asia Books

From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3

(1) A powerful animal that serves as the primary character in the text, symbolizing strength and leadership.[18] (2) The large predator that the Gamarala is tasked with killing but instead manages to scare away while hiding in an iron cage.[19]

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) This represents the power of the higher consciousness, which is in a continuous and equal struggle with the jackal, as explained in the text.[20]