365bet娱乐

Significance of Navel

The navel is described across various traditions as a significant point on the body. In Purana, it symbolizes the earth's surface, while Vedanta regards it as the tenth prana and an abode of the chief prana. Dharmashastra considers it a physical point signifying life and its connection to the soul. Rasashastra uses it for medicinal applications, and Mahayana views it as a central point of life and connectivity. Historically, it represents a universal concept of vital body points in South Asian traditions.1
gallery thumb

Synonyms: Umbilicus, Core, Omphalos

In Finnish: Napa; In Dutch: Navel; In Spanish: Ombligo

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

Buddhist concept of 'Navel'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, the navel symbolizes the center of the abdomen, radiating life and connectivity, representing a vital link between physical existence and spiritual essence, emphasizing unity and the flow of life energy.

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

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The center point of the abdomen that emits rays, symbolizing connectivity and life.[1]

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 'Navel'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, the navel symbolizes vitality and the soul's connection to life. It is associated with vital energy, used in rituals, signifies physical and spiritual realms, and serves as a point of medicinal application for health.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Sankhayana-grihya-sutra

(1) The physical point of the body signifying connection to life and vitality, also played a role in ritual gestures.[2]

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) A physical point on the body that is also associated with the Soul, mentioned in certain law texts.[3]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Rasashastra (chemistry and alchemy):
Rasashastra Books

From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 4: Iatrochemistry

(1) The area where the medicine, when saturated with water, is applied to move the bowels.[4]

Rasashastra is an important branch of Ayurveda, specialising in chemical interactions with herbs, metals and minerals. Some texts combine yogic and tantric practices with various alchemical operations. The ultimate goal of Rasashastra is not only to preserve and prolong life, but also to bestow wealth upon humankind.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)

(1) The navel is mentioned as the tenth prana, and it is one of the special abodes of the chief prana, as enumerated in the text.[5]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

The concept of Navel in local and regional sources

History Books

The keyphrase "Navel" signifies the central point of the abdomen, crucial in South-Asian body concepts, encapsulating both its physical form鈥攖he umbilical mark鈥攁nd its symbolic importance as a universal vital point.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Sanskrit Words In Southeast Asian Languages

(1) This word denotes the central point on the abdomen, the mark left from the umbilical cord, which is also the center.[6]

From: History of Science in South Asia

(1) The navel is mentioned as a vital point, specifically the abdomen (nabhi), which is considered universal to South-Asian concepts of the human body, and it is present in the comparison of lists of vital points.[7]