Chatra

Chatra, “parasol”

Grammar: neuter noun.

Meaning: a parasol, a mark of royal dignity.

In the scriptures: the Purāṇa uses the word twice in its teaching on utpātas, or portents.

  • Among the great utpātas: a king suddenly seen on a chariot adorned with dhvaja, cāmara, chatra and siṃhāsana is named a great utpāta.
  • In a śānti: when jackals, vultures and crows make terrible sounds, or a dhūmaketu is seen like burning fire, one makes a Sūrya-maṇḍapa with a golden chatra and seven horses and gives it to a brāhmaṇa, with bilva leaves, and does havana with the Aindra mantra.

Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Madhyama Parva, Bhāga 3, Chapter 20

Sources

  • Bhavishya Purāṇa, Madhyama Parva, Bhāga 3, Chapter 20