Guggulu: 20 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
Biology
Languages
1. Pali
2. Sanskrit
3. Kannada
See also
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Introduction:

Guggulu means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Cikitsa (natural therapy and treatment for medical conditions)

Source: Wisdom Library: Ayurveda: Cikitsa

Guggulu (गुग्गुलु) is a Sanskrit word referring to the “Indian bdellium” tree from the Fabaceae family, and is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. It is obtained near rivers or the sea. It is also known as Guggula or Mahiṣākṣa. Its official botanical name is Commiphora wightii (synonyms: Commiphora mukul and Commiphora roxburghii) and is commonly known in English as “Gugal” or “Indian bdellium tree”. The extract of gum guggul (gugulipid) is in use as a traditional medicine in Ayurveda since at least 3,000 years ago.

This plant (Guggulu) is also mentioned as a medicine used for the treatment of all major fevers, as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) which forms the first chapter of the Sanskrit work called Mādhavacikitsā. In this work, the plant is also known as Palaṅkaṣā.

Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)

Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgraha

Guggulu (गुग्गुलु) refers to the medicinal plant known as “Commiphora mukul (Hook. ex Stocks) Engl.” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes.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 guggulu] 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).

Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)

Source: Asian Agri-History: Paśu Āyurvēda (Veterinary Medicine) in Garuḍapurāṇa

Guggulu (गुग्गुलु) refers to Commiphora mukul and is used in the protection rites of Horses (Aśvarakṣaṇa), according to Āyurveda sections in the Garuḍapurāṇa.—For the Rakṣa (protection) Revanta-pūjā, (worship of God Revanta) homa (sacrificial offerings) and dvija-bhojana (feeding of Brahmins) should be performed in favor of the horse. And a compound made up of following drugs should be tied round the neck of the horse [e.g., Guggulu (Commiphora mukul)] [...].

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Google Books: Essentials of Ayurveda

Guggulu (गुग्गुलु).—The Sanskrit name for an important Ayurvedic drug.—The plant grows in arid zone. The useful part is the gum-resin exuded frm the stem and branches. It is used in vātika disorders, obesity and wound etc.

context information

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: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Guggulu (गुग्गुलु) refers to the “fragrant gum resin”, which is used in the worship of Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.13:—“[...] with the offering of Bilva leaves alone, the worship shall be performed. Then scented powders, sweetsmelling oil etc. of various sorts shall be offered to Śiva with great joy. Then incense, Guggulu (the fragrant gum resin) and Aguru (the fragrant Aloe wood) shall be offered”.

context information

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.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: OpenEdition books: Architectural terms contained in Ajitāgama and Rauravāgama

Guggulu (गुग्गुलु) refers to “agaloche resin § 2.16.”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)

context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and Subjects

Guggulu (गुग्गुलु, ‘bdellium’), is referred to in one passage of the Atharvaveda as produced by the Sindhu and by the sea. The latter source presumably alludes, as Zimmer assumes, to seaborne trade, bdellium being the gum of a tree, not a product of the sea. It is, however, possible that in this passage some other substance may be meant. The word in this form also occurs elsewhere in the Atharvaveda and later; it is often mentioned in the older form of Gulgulu, between which and Guggulu the manuscripts constantly vary.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Guggulu (गुग्गुलु) refers to “bdellium (incense)” (suitable for an offering ceremony), according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly [as the Bhagavān taught the detailed offering-manual], “[...] Four Nāga kings should be prepared in the middle of the ditch. [...] Various offerings should be arranged. Fruits should be scattered. Four filled jars should be placed. Four pots filled with offerings should be placed. Four ladles with frankincense and bdellium incense (guggulu-dhūpa) should be burnt. Eight lamps should be lit. [...]”.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) 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 sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and Drugs

Guggulu [गुग्गुलु] in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari from the Burseraceae (Torchwood) family having the following synonyms: Balsamea mukul , Balsamodendron mukul, Commiphora mukul. For the possible medicinal usage of guggulu, 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) Guggulu in India is the name of a plant defined with Boswellia serrata in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Boswellia thurifera Colebr. (among others).

2) Guggulu is also identified with Commiphora mukul It has the synonym Balsamodendrum mukul Hook. (etc.).

3) Guggulu is also identified with Commiphora stocksiana It has the synonym Balsamea stocksiana Engl. (etc.).

4) Guggulu is also identified with Commiphora wightii It has the synonym Balsamodendron roxburghii Stocks (etc.).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Plantarum Rariorum Horti Caesarei Schoenbrunnensis (1797)
· Hooker’s Journal of Botany Kew Gard. Misc. (1849)
· Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2010)
· Planta Medica (2001)
· Phytomedicine (2003)
· Annals of the Royal Botanic Garden Peradeniya (1930)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Guggulu, for example pregnancy safety, chemical composition, extract dosage, side effects, health benefits, diet and recipes, have a look at these references.

context information

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

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

guggulu : (m.) a medicinal resin; bdellium.

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Guggulu (गुग्गुलु).—A particular fragrant gum resin. (Mar. gugguḷa); Bṛ. S.57.3,5; गुग्गुलं पावकशिखं (guggulaṃ pāvakaśikhaṃ) ... Śiva. B.3.19.

Derivable forms: gugguluḥ (गुग्गुलुः).

[Sanskrit to German]

Guggulu in German

context information

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 corpus

Guggulu (ಗುಗ್ಗುಲು):—[noun] = ಗುಗ್ಗುಳ [guggula].

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Gugguḷu (ಗುಗ್ಗುಳು):—[noun] = ಗುಗ್ಗುಳ [guggula].

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Relevant text

Search found 30 books and stories containing Guggulu, Gugguḷu; (plurals include: Guggulus, Gugguḷus). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Flora (5): Trees < [Chapter 5 - Aspects of Nature]

Appendix III - Synonyms of Flora (Vanauṣadhi-varga)

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1.17. Use of Guggulu < [Chapter 1 - Cosmetics]

1. Materials for Cosmetics (Introduction) < [Chapter 1 - Cosmetics]

2.11. Pharmaceutical use of Incense < [Chapter 1 - Cosmetics]

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Part 18 - Purification of Guggulu < [Chapter XXXI - Upavisha (semi-poisons)]

Part 10 - How to deprive the ashes of iron of the power of being restored to their original condition < [Chapter IV - Metals (4): Lauha (iron)]

Part 4 - Vanga-kalpa < [Chapter VI - Metals (6): Vanga (tin)]

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Part 3 - Extraction of essence from tuttha < [Chapter V - Uparasa (5-6): Tuttha and Sasyaka (copper sulphate)]