Ambashtha, Ambaṣṭhā, Ambaṣṭha, Aṃbaṣṭha, Āmbaṣṭha: 23 definitions
Introduction:
Ambashtha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi, biology. 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.
The Sanskrit terms Ambaṣṭhā and Ambaṣṭha and Aṃbaṣṭha and Āmbaṣṭha can be transliterated into English as Ambastha or Ambashtha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)
Source: Wisdom Library: Raj NighantuAmbaṣṭhā (अम्बष्ठा) is the name of a tree (Ākandī) that is associated with the Nakṣatra (celestial star) named Hasta, according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). Accordingly, “these [trees] are propounded in Śāstras, the secret scriptures (śāstrāgama). These pious trees [viz, Ambaṣṭhā], if grown and protected, promote long life”. These twenty-seven trees related to the twenty-seven Nakṣatras are supposed to be Deva-vṛkṣas or Nakṣatra-vṛkṣas.
Source: WorldCat: Rāj nighaṇṭu1) Ambaṣṭhā (अम्बष्ठा) is the Sanskrit name for an unidentified medicinal plant, according to verse 4.77-79 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. Note: Ambaṣṭhā is a highly controversial plant. Vaidyas use different plants at different places for this. The reason is the confused description of the drug by various authors.
Ambaṣṭhā is mentioned as having fifteen synonyms: Ambālikā, Ambālā, Śaṭhāmbā, Ambaṣṭhikā, Ambikā, Ambā, Mācikā, Dṛḍhavalkā, Mayurikā, Gandhapatrī, Citrapuṣpī, Śreyasī, Mukhavācikā, Chinnapatrā and Bhurīmallī.
Properties and characteristics: “Ambaṣṭhā is astringent and sour. It is used in the diseases of throat and disorders of vitiated vāta, kapha and cures the phlegmatic secretions (balāsa). It is a very good digestive stimulant and appetizer”.
2) Ambaṣṭhā (अम्बष्ठा) is also mentioned as a synonym for Kṣudrāmlikā, a medicinal plant identified with Oxalis corniculata Linn. or “creeping woodsorrel” from the Oxalidaceae or “wood sorrel” family of flowering plants, according to verse 5.100-102. The fifth chapter (parpaṭādi-varga) of this book enumerates sixty varieties of smaller plants (kṣudra-kṣupa). Together with the names Ambaṣṭhā and Kṣudrāmlikā, there are a total of fifteen Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgrahaAmbaṣṭhā (अम्बष्ठा) refers to the medicinal plant known as “Hibiscus cannabinus Linn.” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning ambaṣṭhā] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) which is a branch of pharmacology (dravyaguṇa).
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha ChikitsaAmbaṣṭhā (अम्बष्ठा) is the name of an ingredient used in the treatment of snake-bites such as those caused by the Asṛṅmaṇḍalī-snakes, according to the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—Accordingly, one of the treatments is mentioned as follows: “[...] Lepa or ointment made from the roots of Punarnāvā, Ambaṣṭhā, Musalā and Kimśuka mixed with cowdung must be applied. Milk of latex yeilding trees boiled with white grains (rice) must be given after it cools down. Cool drinks arrest the poison of Asṛṅmaṇḍalī snakes”.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botanyAmbaṣṭhā (अम्बष्ठा) is another name (synonym) for Pāṭhā, which is a Sanskrit name for the plant Cissampelos pareira (velvetleaf). This synonym was identified by Narahari in his 13th-century Rājanighaṇṭu (verses 6.119-121), which is an Ayurvedic medicinal thesaurus.
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia1) Ambaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ).—King Śrutāyu, who belonged to the party of the Kauravas was the ruler of Ambaṣṭha land and so he was called Ambaṣṭha. (Mahābhārata, Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 96, Verses 39-40). He was killed in the fight with Arjuna. (Mahābhārata, Droṇa Parva, Chapter 93, Verses 60-69).
2) Ambaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ).—There was a hero called Ambaṣṭha among the warriors on the side of the Pāṇḍavas. (Mahābhārata, Droṇa Parva, Chapter 25, Verse 50). He fought against King Cedi who was on the side of the Kauravas and in the fight King Cedi fell.
3) Ambaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ).—See the word "VARṆA".
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1) Ambaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ).—The name of the mahout of Kuvalayāpīḍa killed by Kṛṣṇa for leading it against him.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 43. 2 and 14.
2a) Aṃbaṣṭha (अंबष्ठ).——(c)—kingdom: Capital of Suvrata: Its king failed in hitting the fish target in Lakṣmaṇā's svayamvara.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 83. 23; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 74. 22; Matsya-purāṇa 48. 21; Vāyu-purāṇa 99. 22.
Ambaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. II.29.6, II.48.14, VI.18.13, VI.20.10, VI.112.110) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Ambaṣṭha) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s 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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira1) Ambaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ) refers to a country belonging to “Pūrvā or Pūrvadeśa (eastern division)” classified under the constellations of Ārdrā, Punarvasu and Puṣya, according to the system of Kūrmavibhāga, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 14), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “The countries of the Earth beginning from the centre of Bhāratavarṣa and going round the east, south-east, south, etc., are divided into 9 divisions corresponding to the 27 lunar asterisms at the rate of 3 for each division and beginning from Kṛttikā. The constellations of Ārdrā, Punarvasu and Puṣya represent the eastern division consisting of [i.e., Ambaṣṭha] [...]”.
2) Ārava (आरव) also refers to a country belonging to “Nairṛtī (south-western division)” classified under the constellations of Svāti, Viśākhā and Anurādhā, according to the system of Kūrmavibhāga.
Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraAmbaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ) is the name of a mixed caste (offspring of a Brāhman and Vaiśya-woman), according to chapter 2.6 [ajitanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly, as chief-minister Subuddhi said to king Sagara said: “[...] Once upon a time there lived a king in a certain city in Bharatakṣetra in this same Jambūdvīpa. [...] One day, the door-keeper announced: ‘Some man at the door, holding a wreath in his hand, who appears to know the arts, wishes to see Your Majesty in order to tell something now. [...]’. The king spoke graciously to him: ‘Sir, from what caste are you, Brāhman, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śudra? Or are you from the mixed castes, Ambaṣṭha, Māgadha, etc.? Or do you know the Vedas, or the Purāṇas, or the Smṛtis? Or are you an astrologer, or are you expert in the triple science? [...]’”.
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, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and DrugsAmbastha [अम्बष्ठः] in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Cocculus hirsutus from the Menispermaceae (Moonseed) family having the following synonyms: Cocculus villosus. For the possible medicinal usage of ambastha, you can check this page for potential sources and references, although be aware that any some or none of the side-effects may not be mentioned here, wether they be harmful or beneficial to health.
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)1) Ambastha in India is the name of a plant defined with Cissampelos pareira in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Cocculus orbiculatus DC. (among others).
2) Ambastha is also identified with Hibiscus cannabinus It has the synonym Ketmia glandulosa Moench (etc.).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Florae Fluminensis Icones
· Plukenet, Leonard, 1642–1706,
· Nova Genera et Species Plantarum (1821)
· Botanical Register (1825)
· Annuaire du Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de Genève (1900)
· Journal de Botanique (1809)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Ambastha, for example chemical composition, side effects, extract dosage, diet and recipes, health benefits, pregnancy safety, have a look at these references.
This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryambaṣṭha (अंबष्ठ).—m A caste or an individual of it. It is the produce of a Brahman with a Wyshya woman.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryAmbaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ).—
1) The offspring of a man of the Brāhmaṇa and a woman of the Vaiśya tribe; ब्राह्मणाद् वैश्यकन्यायामम्बष्ठो नाम जायते (brāhmaṇād vaiśyakanyāyāmambaṣṭho nāma jāyate) Manusmṛti 1.8,13.15; Y.1.91. cf. also अम्बष्ठानां दार्विहोमिको ब्राह्मणः (ambaṣṭhānāṃ dārvihomiko brāhmaṇaḥ) | ŚB. on MS.8.4.2. (According to Manusmṛti 1.47 the duty of an ambaṣṭha is the curing of diseases; ambaṣṭhānāṃ cikitsitam).
2) An elephant-driver. अपश्यत्कुवलयापीडं कृष्णोऽम्बष्ठप्रचोदितम् (apaśyatkuvalayāpīḍaṃ kṛṣṇo'mbaṣṭhapracoditam) Bhāgavata 1.43.2. (pl.)
3) Name of a country and its inhabitants (they seem to have occupied the country to the east of Tākṣaśilā, comprising the modern district of Lahore.)
-ṣṭhā Name of several plants:-(a) गणिका, यूथिका (gaṇikā, yūthikā) (Mar. juī); (b) पाठा (pāṭhā) (Mar. pāhāḍamūḷa). (c) चुक्रिका (cukrikā) (Mar. cukā); (d) another plant (Mar. ambāḍā).
-ṣṭhā, -ṣṭhī An Ambaṣṭha woman.
Derivable forms: ambaṣṭhaḥ (अम्बष्ठः).
--- OR ---
Āmbaṣṭha (आम्बष्ठ).—An inhabitant of Ambaṣṭha.
Derivable forms: āmbaṣṭhaḥ (आम्बष्ठः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAmbaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ).—m.
(-ṣṭhaḥ) 1. The name of a country, stated to be in the eastern division of India, and supposed by Mr. Wilford, to be the abode of the AmbastŒ of Arrian. 2. The offspring of a man of the Brahman, and a woman of the Vaisya tribe, a man of the medical cast. f.
(-ṣṭhā) 1. A sort of jasmin, (Jasminum auriculatum.) 2. A plant, (Cissampelos hexandra.) See vanatiktikā. 3. Woodsorrel, (Oxalis corniculata, Rox.) E. ambā a mother, sthā to stand, and ka affix, what cherishes like a mother.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryAmbaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ).—m. 1. The name of a people, Mahābhārata 2, 1189. 2. The offspring of a Brāhmaṇa father and a Vaiśyā mother, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 10, 8.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryAmbaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ).—[masculine] [Name] of a caste, also of a people and its country.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Ambaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ):—[=amba-ṣṭha] m. ([from] amba and stha? [Pāṇini 8-3, 97]) Name of a country and of its inhabitants, [Mahābhārata; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] of the king of that country, [Mahābhārata vii, 3399 seqq.]
3) [v.s. ...] the offspring of a man of the Brāhman and a woman of the Vaiśya caste (a man of the medical caste, [Manu-smṛti x, 47]; an elephant-driver, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]), [Manu-smṛti x; Yājñavalkya] etc.
4) Ambaṣṭhā (अम्बष्ठा):—[=amba-ṣṭhā] [from amba-ṣṭha] f. Jaiminum Auriculatum, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
5) [v.s. ...] Clypea Hernandifolia, [Suśruta]
6) [v.s. ...] Oxalis Corniculata, [Suśruta]
7) [v.s. ...] f. an Ambaṣṭha woman [Comm. on [Manu-smṛti x, 15]]
8) Āmbaṣṭha (आम्बष्ठ):—m. a man belonging to the Ambaṣṭha people, [Pāṇini]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryAmbaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ):—[amba-ṣṭha] (ṣṭhaḥ) 1. m. The name of a country. ṣṭhā f. Sort of jasmin.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Ambaṣṭha (अम्बष्ठ) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Aṃbaṭṭha.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusAṃbaṣṭha (ಅಂಬಷ್ಠ):—
1) [noun] = ಅಂಬಷ್ಟ [ambashta].
2) [noun] an off-spring of a brāhmaṇa father and a vaiśya mother.
3) [noun] one who shaves and dresses others' hair; a barber.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Ambashthadi, Ambashthai-patha, Ambashthaka, Ambashthaki, Ambashtham.
Full-text (+58): Mukhavatika, Ambashthya, Ambashthaki, Ambashthika, Abhira, Citrapushpi, Ambashthi, Shathamba, Dridhavalka, Bhurimalli, Suvarnavanij, Macika, Shreyasi, Amba, Anulomaja, Ampattai, Bhurimulika, Ambashtham, Ambattha, Chinnapattri.
Relevant text
Search found 27 books and stories containing Ambashtha, Amba-shtha, Amba-ṣṭha, Amba-stha, Amba-ṣṭhā, Ambaṣṭhā, Ambaṣṭha, Aṃbaṣṭha, Ambastha, Āmbaṣṭha; (plurals include: Ambashthas, shthas, ṣṭhas, sthas, ṣṭhās, Ambaṣṭhās, Ambaṣṭhas, Aṃbaṣṭhas, Ambasthas, Āmbaṣṭhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 10.6 < [Section II - Mixed Castes]
Verse 10.27 < [Section II - Mixed Castes]
Verse 10.47 < [Section IV - Occupations of the Mixed Castes]
Baudhayana Dharmasutra (by Georg Bühler)
List of Mahabharata tribes (by Laxman Burdak)
Gautama Dharmasūtra (by Gautama)
Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita (by Nayana Sharma)
The Physician in the Medical Texts < [Chapter 2]
The Position of the Physician in Society < [Chapter 2]
The Brihaddharma Purana (abridged) (by Syama Charan Banerji)
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