Nala, Naḷa, Nāla, Nālā: 44 definitions

Introduction:

Nala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi, biology, Tamil. 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 term Naḷa can be transliterated into English as Nala or Nalia, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Naal.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: archive.org: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)

One of the Hands of Famous Emperors.—Nala: the Mayura hand.

Natyashastra book cover
context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa

Nala (नल).—One of the eleven rākṣasas facing the eleven rudras in the battle of the gods (devas) between the demons (asuras), according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 94. This battle was initiated by Mahiṣāsura in order to win over the hand of Vaiṣṇavī, the form of Trikalā having a red body representing the energy of Viṣṇu. Trikalā is the name of a Goddess born from the combined looks of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara (Śiva).

The Varāhapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century. It is composed of two parts and Sūta is the main narrator.

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

1) Nala (नल).—Nala the King of Niṣadha. (As the history of Nala is included under the word Damayantī, some points which are not given there, are mentioned here).

(i) Nala was the son of Vīrasena, the King of Niṣadha. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 52, Stanza 56).

(ii) Once the hermit Bṛhadaśva came to the Palace of Vīrasena and praised Nala a good deal and spoke highly of his good qualities to his father. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 53, Stanza 2).

(iii) When Nala was playing in the garden some swans with golden wings flew to the lake in the garden. Nala caught hold of one of them just for fun. The swan said to Nala, "If you will let me off, I will tell Damayantī about you." So it was released. As a reward it flew to the country of Vidarbha and persuaded Damayantī to love Nala. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 53).

(iv) After death Nala sat in the aerial chariot of Indra and witnessed the battle fought by Arjuna with the Kauravas at the end of the forest life of the Pāṇḍavas. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 56, Stanza 10).

(v) Previous birth. Two different stories are narrated about the previous birth of Nala.

In the previous birth Nala was a Vaiśya of the city of Pippala in the Gauḍa country. This Vaiśya became abstinent and after leaving off everything he had, he went to the forest. There, according to the advice of a hermit he undertook the fast of Gaṇeśa. As a result he was born as Nala in the next birth. (Gaṇeśa Purāṇa).

Nala and Damayantī were foresters named Āhuka and Āhukā. Śiva was pleased with the couple. So they were born in royal families in the next birth, and Śiva in the form of a swan, helped them. (Śiva Purāṇa, Śatarudra Saṃhitā).

2) Nala (नल).—An ancient hermit. In Sabhā Parva, Chapter 7, Stanza 17, it is mentioned that this hermit lives in the palace of Indra.

3) Nala (नल).—A monkey. This monkey was the son of Viśvakarmā. Śrī Rāma and the monkey-army went to redeem Sītā from Laṅkā and reached the sea-shore. A bridge had to be made to cross the sea and reach Laṅkā. Immediately Varuṇa the King of the seas appeared there and said, "Nala who is in the monkeyarmy, is the son of Viśvakarmā. His father had given him a blessing that he would become as expert an architect as his father. So let the construction of the bridge be commenced under his supervision." Accordingly under the supervision of Nala, Rāma’s bridge of rock was completed and Śrī Rāma and the army of monkeys reached Laṅkā by walking over this bridge (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Sarga 22).

In the battle hetween Rāma and Rāvaṇa, Nala fought with the giant Tuṇḍaka. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 285, Stanza 9).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Nala (नल).—A son of Yadu.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 23. 20; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 11. 5.

1b) A Vanara son of Agni born by the wife of Kanakabindu.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 229.

1c) A Vānara chief.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 234.

1d) A nephew of Hiraṇyakaśipu.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 6. 26.

1e) The son of Niṣadha, hence Naiṣadha; with the son of Vīrasena he made the two Nalas in the Kaśyapa line;1 taught the game of dice to King Ṛtuparṇa.2 Learned in Aśvavidyā.

  • 1) Matsya-purāṇa 12. 52, 56; Vāyu-purāṇa 88. 202.
  • 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 9; 17; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 63. 173 and 202, 74. 190; Vāyu-purāṇa 88. 174; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 4. 37.

1f) A son of Vīrasena.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 12. 56.

1g) Also known as Nandanodaradundubhi, son of Taittiri, performed aśvamedha, and in the middle of the atirātra rite Punarvasu appeared and became his son.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 44. 63-5.
Source: Archaeological Survey of India: Śaiva monuments at Paṭṭadakal (mahābhārata)

Nala (नल) and Damayantī are the king and queen of a kingdom. He is very fond of dice play and once in that game he loses everything including his realm. The king and the queen go in exile. As hard times do not come singularly, one night even his dhoti is stolen by birds. Then the king abandons his wife, starts roaming alone in the forest.

Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Nala (नल) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. XIII.116.67, XIII.115) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Nala) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

1) Nala (नल) refers to one of the eight Vasus who are the sons of Vasu, according to one account of Vaṃśa (‘genealogical description’) of the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, the ten wives of Dharma are [viz., Vasu]. The Vasus were born from Vasu. The eight Vasus are Āpa, Nala, Soma, Dhruva, Anila, Anala, Pratyuṣa and Prabhāsa. But the Pañcalakṣaṇa text gives Dhara instead of Nala.

2) Nala (नल) also refers to the son of Niṣadha and grandson of Atithi, according to the Vaṃśānucarita section of the Saurapurāṇa.—Accordingly, [...] Lava and Kuśa were two sons of Rāma. From Kuśa was born Atithi and from Atithi was born Niṣadha. Nala was the son of Niṣadha and his son was Nabha.

Purana book cover
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.

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Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstra

Nāla (नाल) is an alternative name (synonym) for Praṇāla, which refers to “water drain”. It is a channel built into a sanctum for the purpose of draining oblation water and rainwater.

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

Nāla (नाल) refers to “gargoyle, evacuation channel §§ 4.7, 28, 29; 5.4.”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)

Vastushastra book cover
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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.

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Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: The effect of Samvatsaras: Satvargas

Nala (नल) or Anala refers to the fiftieth saṃvatsara (“jovian year)” in Vedic astrology.—The native who is born in the ‘samvatsara’ of ‘nala’ is gifted with good sense (intelligence), is deft or expert in the trade of things produced (or obtained from) in water, is of good character, a little wealthy, restless, and is a supporter of many.

According with Jataka Parijata, the person born in the year nala (2036-2037 AD) will be a donor endowed with many liberal virtues, tranquil and well-behaved.

Jyotisha book cover
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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.

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Kavya (poetry)

Source: Wisdom Library: Kathāsaritsāgara

Nala (नल) is the name of an ancient king according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 56. Accordingly, “of old time there lived a king named Nala, whose beauty, I fancy, so surpassed that of the God of love (Kāma) that in disgust he offered his body as a burnt-offering in the fire of the eye of the enraged Śiva. He [Nala] had no wife, and when he made inquiries he heard that Damayantī, the daughter of Bhīma, the King of Vidarbha, would make him a suitable wife.”.

The story of Nala was narrated by Sumanas to queen Bandhumatī in order to demonstrate that “reunions do take place, even of the long separated”, in other words, that “great ones, after enduring separation, enjoy prosperity, and following the example of the sun, after suffering a decline, they rise again”.

The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Nala, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.

Kavya book cover
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Kavya (काव्य, 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 ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

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Ayurveda (science of life)

Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)

Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval India

Naḷa (नऌअ) is the author of the Pākadarpaṇa, a Sanskrit book dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—The author of the text [Pākadarpaṇa] is said to be King Naḷa of the Nalopākhyāna episode in Mahābhārata. Hence the text is also known by the name Naḷapākadarpaṇa (Nalapākadarpaṇa). The text is edited by Vāmācaraṇa Bhaṭṭācārya and published by Chaukhambha Sanskrit sansthan,Varanasi. The editor Vāmācaraṇa Bhaṭṭācārya had an opinion that the author Naḷa is the son of King Vīrasena who belonged to Candra-vaṃśa.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

Nāla (नाल):—[nālam] Penis or Phallus. The male organ of copulation and in mammals urination.

Ayurveda book cover
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.

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Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Arcana-dipika - 3rd Edition

Nala (नल) is the fiftieth of sixty years (saṃvatsara) in the Vedic lunar calendar according to the Arcana-dīpikā by Vāmana Mahārāja (cf. Appendix).—Accordingl, There are sixty different names for each year in the Vedic lunar calendar, which begins on the new moon day (Amāvasyā) after the appearance day of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu (Gaura-pūrṇimā), in February or March. The Vedic year [viz., Nala], therefore, does not correspond exactly with the Christian solar calendar year.

Vaishnavism book cover
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Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) 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 (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Nāla (नाल) refers to the “channel”, which is associated with the Raudrīgranthi, according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “(3) Raudrī’s Knot is in the channel [i.e., nālanalāntara]. [...]”.

Shaktism book cover
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Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Nāla (नाल) refers to the “stem (of the lotus)”, according to the Svacchanda-tantra.—Accordingly, [verse 7.223-224]—“He should visualize a white, very dense, unctuous amṛta, which destroys death and himself [when he is] flooded and filled with it He should visualize his entire body flooded with nectar entering through the openings and apertures of his channels, which are set in the stem of the lotus (padma-nāla-nibaddha)”.

Shaivism book cover
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Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

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General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Apam Napat: Indian Mythology

Nala was the King of the Nishadas, and the son of Virasena. He was was exceedingly handsome, and had a great knowledge of horses. He heard of the divine beauty of Damayanti, the princess of Vidarbha and fell in love with her without ever having seen her. Similarly, she had also resolved to have him as her husband, solely by hearing of his virtuous deeds and great beauty.

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Nala (नल): King of Nishadha who lost his kingdom in a game of dice and deserted his wife Damayanti because of a curse.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. Nala

A village in Magadha, near the Bodhi tree at Gaya. It was the birthplace of Upaka (Thig.294; ThigA.225). The Buddhavamsa Commentary (p3) speaks of a brahmin village Nala, where the Buddha spent his eleventh rainy season. It was the township of the Upatissas (hence also called Upatissagama), and it was there that Sariputta and other members of his family were born.

2. Nala

Wife of the Adipada Udaya. She was the daughter of his maternal uncle and was under the protection of King Sena I., but Udaya married her during an absence of the king and took her to Pulatthinagara. The king, however, forgave him. Cv.l.9; see also Cv. Trs.i. 138, n. 3.

3. A Gandhabba chieftain (D.ii.258) to be invoked by followers of the Buddha in time of need. Ibid.,iii.204.

4. It was also the birthplace of Maha Gavaccha (ThagA.i.57). Sariputta seems to have continued to reside there from time to time, even after he joined the Order, and when his death drew near, he went back to Nalakagama and, having made his mother a Sotapanna, died in the room where he was born.

context information

Theravāda 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).

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In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Een Kritische Studie Van Svayambhūdeva’s Paümacariu

Nala (नल) participated in the war between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, on the side of the latter, as mentioned in Svayambhūdeva’s Paumacariu (Padmacarita, Paumacariya or Rāmāyaṇapurāṇa) chapter 57ff. Svayambhū or Svayambhūdeva (8th or 9th century) was a Jain householder who probably lived in Karnataka. His work recounts the popular Rāma story as known from the older work Rāmāyaṇa (written by Vālmīki). Various chapters [mentioning Nala] are dedicated to the humongous battle whose armies (known as akṣauhiṇīs) consisted of millions of soldiers, horses and elephants, etc.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

1) Nala (नल) refers to one of the sons of Ṛkṣarajas and Harikāntā, according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.2 [Rāvaṇa’s expedition of conquest] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.—Accordingly, “Now, Daśāsya gave the city Kiṣkindhā to Ādityarajas and the city Ṛkṣapura to Ṛkṣarajas. He himself went to Laṅkā, his power adequate for anything, praised like a deity by relatives and citizens. Daśāsya ruled his grandfather’s great kingdom, established in Laṅkā like Indra in Ardarāvatī. [...] Ṛkṣarajas had two sons by his wife Harikāntā, famous throughout the world, Nala and Nīla. [...]”.

2) Nala (नल) is the name of an ancient city, according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.5 [The kidnapping of Sītā].

3) Nala (नल) is the name of a Kapi or Monkey-chief, according to chapter 7.6 [Bringing news of Sītā].

General definition book cover
context information

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.

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India history and geography

Source: archive.org: Chronology Of Nepal History Reconstructed

Nala refers to one of the seven villages in Nepal that, together with Bhaktapur, were constructed by Anandamalla during the second Thakuri dynasty of Amshuvarman (720 A.D. to 945 A.D.).—Anandamalla, founded Bhaktapura or Bhatagam and the seven towns, Venipura, Panati, Nala, Dhomakhel, Khadpu or Shadpu, Chankat, and Sanga, and resided in Bhatgam.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Nala.—(IE 8-6), measuring rod; same as daṇḍa; sometimes regarded as 12 cubits, 22 cubits, 56 cubits, etc., in length; cf. Samataṭīya-nala, ‘the rod as used in the Samataṭa country’; Vṛṣabhaśaṅkara-nala, ‘the rod introduced by king Vṛṣabha- śaṅkara’, ‘the rod of the village of Pattiyamattavura’, etc. See kol, kolu, ghaḻe, etc. (IE 8-6), cf. aṣṭaka-navaka-nala, ṣaṭka-nala, etc., the first probably referring to the custom of measuring the length and breadth of a plot of land by rods of different length. (EI 28), used in some Orissan inscriptions in the sense of measurement of the area [of the gift land] (Ep. Ind., Vol. XXXI, p. 20). (EI 21), a measure. Note: nala is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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Nalā.—same as śatamāna (q. v.). Note: nalā is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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Nāla.—cf. sa-khila-nāla (IE 8-5; EI 14); cultivated land; same as nāla-bhūmi. Note: nāla is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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Nalā.—same as śatamāna (q. v.). Note: nalā is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

India history book cover
context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

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Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and Drugs

Nala in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Arundo donax L. from the Poaceae (Grass) family having the following synonyms: Donax arundinaceus, Donax sativa, Arundo bengalensis. For the possible medicinal usage of nala, 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.

Nala [नाल] in the Marathi language is the name of a plant identified with Phragmites karka from the Poaceae (Grass) family having the following synonyms: Arundo karka, Arundo roxburghii, Phragmites roxburghii.

Nala in the Sanskrit language, ibid. previous identification.

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

1) Nala in India is the name of a plant defined with Arundo donax in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Scolochloa arundinacea (P. Beauv.) Mert. & Koch (among others).

2) Nala is also identified with Lobelia nicotianaefolia It has the synonym Lobelia nicotianifolia Roth (etc.).

3) Nala is also identified with Saccharum arundinaceum It has the synonym Erianthus arundinaceus (Retz.) Jeswiet (etc.).

4) Nala in Philippines is also identified with Pterocarpus indicus It has the synonym Lingoum echinatum (Pers.) Kuntze (etc.).

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

· Flora Analítica de la Provincia de Valencia (1987)
· Fl. Congo Belge (1954)
· Supplementum Plantarum (1781)
· Journal of Yunnan Agricultural University (1997)
· Bulletin agricole du Congo Belge (1920)
· Observationes Botanicae (1789)

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

Biology book cover
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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

naḷa : (m.) a reed; a tube. || nāḷa (m.), a stalk; tube.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Nala, & Naḷa (Ved. naḍa & Sk. naḷa, with dial. ḍ(ḷ) for *narda, cp. Gr. naρdhc) a species of reed; reed in general Vin. IV, 35; A. II, 73; Dh. 337; Nd2 680II; J. I, 223; IV, 141, 396 (n. va chinno); Pv. I, 116 (id.); DhA. III, 156; IV, 43. See also nāḷa, nāḷī & nāḷikā.

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Nāla, & Nāḷa (nt.) (Sk. nāla, see nala) a hollow stalk, esp. that of the water lily A. IV, 169; J. I, 392 (°pana v. l. °vana); VvA. 43. See also nāḷikā & nālī. (Page 350)

Pali book cover
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.

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Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

naḷa (नळ).—m (nala S) The ascending portion or the sigmoid flexure of the colon. 2 An aqueduct, a conduit pipe, a sewer. 3 n The stalk of a lotus and fig. of nābhikamala i. e. the umbilical cord. naḷa gāṇṭha ēka hōṇēṃ g. of s. To be affected with umbilical induration. naḷānta bharaṇēṃ To make itself painfully felt in the colon--water &c. drunk unseasonably or whilst standing. A phrase of incessant use.

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naḷā (नळा).—m (nala S) A pantile. 2 A kind of firework,--a tube filled with powder. 3 A vessel for holding oil: (composed of a joint of bamboo.) Pr. gāḍyā- barōbara naḷyāsa yātrā. 4 A tube; a joint of bamboo or other hollow wood; a seed-tube &c. 5 A tube for administering medicines to cattle, a drenching tube. 6 The bone of the leg, tibia.

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nāla (नाल).—m ( A) A horse-shoe. 2 f The case or frame of a longish pakhavāja or tabor. 3 n S A tubular stalk; any tubular vessel of the body. 4 The umbilical cord. 5 c A term for a loose, scampish person (male or female); also for a vitious or troublesome beast. 6 m A blow upon the iṭī at the play iṭīdāṇḍū.

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nālā (नाला).—m ( H) A rivulet, a rude irregular stream or its dry bed. 2 A drain, a sewer, a gutter.

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nāḷa (नाळ).—n (nāla S) The stalk of the lotus or water-lily. 2 The umbilical cord. 3 f The prow of a vessel. 4 A gall on the back (of a beast); a navel-gall. 5 A particular vegetable. 6 A cannon. 7 m f A sort of frame for a pakhavāja. 8 The flour which, during grinding, gathers around and chokes the handmill. Ex. nāḷa mōḍa mhaṇajē pīṭha gaḷēla. 9 f A narrow passage through hills: also a subterranean passage: also a furrow as torn along by a torrent of rain or rush of water. 10 f Old metal vessels. nāḷīvara lāgaṇēṃ or paḍaṇēṃ To touch to the quick.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

naḷa (नळ).—m The ascending portion of the colon. An aqueduct, a sewer. n The stalk of a lotus and fig. of nābhikamala i. e. the umbilical cord. naḷa gāṇṭha ēka hōṇēṃ To be affected with umbilical indura- tion. naḷānta bharaṇēṃ To make itself pain- fully felt in the colon-water &c.

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naḷā (नळा).—m A pantile. A kind of firework. -a tube filled with powder. A vessel for holding oil: (composed of a joint of bamboo.) Pr. gāḍyābarōbara naḷyāsa yātrā.

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nāla (नाल).—m A horse-shoe. f The case or frame of a longish pakhavāja or tabor. n A tubular stalk; any tubular vessel of the body. The umbilical cord. A blow upon the iṭī at the play iṭīdāṇḍū.

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nālā (नाला).—m A rivulet, a drain, sewer.

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nāḷa (नाळ).—n The stalk of the lotus or water- lily. The umbilical cord. f The prow of a vessel. A gall on the back (of a beast); a navel-gall. A cannon. m f A sort of frame for a pakhavāja. The flour which during grinding, gathers around and chokes the hand- mill. Ex. nāḷa mōḍa mhaṇajē pīṭha gaḷēla. f A narrow passage through hills: also a subterranean passage; also a furrow as torn along by a torrent of rain or rush of water. f Old metal vessels. nāḷīvara lāgaṇēṃ or paḍaṇēṃ To touch to the quick.

context information

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.

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Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Nala (नल).—1 A kind of reed; Bhāgavata 1.6.13; एरण्डभिण्डार्कनलैः प्रभूतैरपि संचितैः । दारुकृत्यं यथा नास्ति तथैवाज्ञैः प्रयोजनम् (eraṇḍabhiṇḍārkanalaiḥ prabhūtairapi saṃcitaiḥ | dārukṛtyaṃ yathā nāsti tathaivājñaiḥ prayojanam) || Pañcatantra (Bombay) 1.96.

2) Name of a celebrated king of the Niṣadhas and hero of the poem called 'Naiṣadhacharita'. [Nala was a very noble-minded and virtuous king. He was chosen by Damayantī in spite of the opposition of gods, and they lived happily for some years. But Kali--who was disappointed in securing her hand-- resolved to persecute Nala, and entered into his person. Thus affected he played at dice with his brother, and having lost everything, he, with his wife, was banished from the kingdom. One day, while wandering through the wilderness, he abandoned his wife, almost naked, and went away. Subsequently he was deformed by the serpent Karkoṭaka, and so deformed he entered the service of king Ṛituparṇa of Ayodhyā as a horse-groom under the name of Bāhuka. Subsequently with the assistance of the king he regained his beloved and they led a happy life; see ऋतुपर्ण (ṛtuparṇa) and दमयन्ती (damayantī) also.]

3) Name of a monkey-chief, son of Viśvakarman, who, it is said, built the bridge of stones called Nalasetu or 'Adam's bridge' over which Rāma passed to Laṅkā with his army.

4) Name of a year (Nm.)

5) A measure of length (equal to 4 hastas); वेदीमष्टनलोत्सेधाम् (vedīmaṣṭanalotsedhām) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 7.7.16.

6) Name of divine being (pitṛdeva).

-lam 1 A blue lotus; नलनीलमूर्तेः (nalanīlamūrteḥ) Śrīkanthacharita 1.33.

2) Smell, odour.

Derivable forms: nalaḥ (नलः).

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Nāla (नाल).—a. [nalasyedaṃ aṇ] Consisting or made of reeds; नालं वनं यूथपतिर्यथोन्मदः (nālaṃ vanaṃ yūthapatiryathonmadaḥ).

-lam 1 A hollow stalk, especially the stalk of the lotus; विकचकमलैः दीर्घवैडूर्यनालैः (vikacakamalaiḥ dīrghavaiḍūryanālaiḥ) Meghadūta 78; R.6.13; Kumārasambhava 7.89; (-m. also in this sense).

2) Any tubular vessel of the body.

3) Yellow orpiment.

4) A handle.

5) The neck; L. D. B.

-laḥ A canal, drain. (-lam, -laḥ) The navel-string.

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Nālā (नाला).—A hollow stalk, especially that of the lotus; नालां मृणालाग्रभुजो भजामः (nālāṃ mṛṇālāgrabhujo bhajāmaḥ) N.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Nala (नल).—(see also Nara-rāja), name of a nāga king: Mahā-Māyūrī 246.18.

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Nāla (नाल).—= next: Mahāvastu iii.387.4 (verse; doubtless m.c.).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nala (नल) or Naḍa.—m.

(-ḍaḥ or -laḥ) 1. A sort of reed, (Arundo tibialis, or karka;) also nala. 2. A particular tribe whose employment is making a sort of glass bracelets. E. naḍ to be thick, affix ac . nala vandhe ac vā ḍasya-laḥ .

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Nāla (नाल).—mfn.

(-laḥ-lā or -lī-laṃ) 1. A hollow or tubular stalk, the stalk of the water lily, &c. 2. Any pipe or tube. 3. A handle. n.

(-laṃ) Yellow orpiment. f. (-lī) 1. A stalk or culm.. 2. An instrument for perforating an elephant’s ear. 3. A period of time, a Ghati, twenty-four minutes. 4. Any tubular vessel of the body. 5. The pulse. E. ṇal to bind, affix ṇa, fem. affix ṭāp, and ṅīṣ, &c.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nala (नल).— (for naḍa, q. cf.), m. 1. A kind of reed, Amphidonax karka Lindl., Mahābhārata 6, 4898. 2. A proper name, [Harivaṃśa, (ed. Calc.)] 823; the hero of the episode Nala and Damayantī.

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Nāla (नाल).—i. e. nala + a, I. adj. Consisting of reed, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 6, 11, 8. Ii. n. 1. A hollow or tubular stalk, especially the stalk of the water-lily, Mahābhārata 2, 88. 2. A tubular vessel of the body, [Prabodhacandrodaya, (ed. Brockhaus.)] 55, 5. 3. A handle, Mahābhārata 9, 909. Iii. f. , The name of a river, Mahābhārata 6, 339.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nala (नल).—[masculine] a species of reed.

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Nala (नल).—[masculine] a kind of reed-grass; [Name] of [several] kings & my hol. beings; [feminine] ī a kind of fragrant substance.

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Nāla (नाल).—[adjective] consisting or made of reeds; [neuter] a hollow stalk, [especially] of the lotus, pipe, tube, handle.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

1) Nala (नल) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—a medical author. Quoted W. p. 289. 306.

2) Nāla (नाल):—poet. [Sūktikarṇāmṛta by Śrīdharadāsa]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Nala (नल):—[from naḍ] (or naḍa) m. ([cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] also n.) a species of reed, Arundo Tibialis or Karka, [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa]

2) [v.s. ...] Name of a prince with the [patronymic] Naishidhs, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa] (= Nala Naiṣadha [Scholiast or Commentator])

3) [v.s. ...] of a Nāga, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

4) [v.s. ...] of a [particular] tribe whose employment is making a sort of glass bracelet, [Horace H. Wilson] (cf. nala).

5) m. (cf. naḍa, naLa) a species of reed, Amphidonax Karka (8-12 feet high), [Gobhila-śrāddha-kalpa; Mahābhārata] etc.

6) a measure of length, [Mahābhārata] ([varia lectio] tala)

7) a [particular] form of constellation in which all the planets or stars are grouped in double mansions, [Varāha-mihira]

8) the 50th year of the cycle of Jupiter which lasts 60 years, [Catalogue(s)]

9) Name of a divine being mentioned with Yama, [Karmapradīpa] (= pitṛ-deva, or -daiva, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]; a deified progenitor, [Horace H. Wilson])

10) of a Daitya, [Brahma-purāṇa]

11) of a king of the Niṣadhas (son of Vīra-sena and husband of Damayantī), [Mahābhārata; Purāṇa]

12) of a son of Niṣadha and father of Nabha or Nabhas, [Harivaṃśa; Raghuvaṃśa; Viṣṇu-purāṇa]

13) of a descendant of the latter Nala (s° of Su-dhanvan and f° of Uktha), [Harivaṃśa; Viṣṇu-purāṇa]

14) of a son of Yadu, [Purāṇa]

15) of a monkey-chief (son of Tvaṣṭṛ or Viśva-karman; cf. -setu), [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa]

16) of a [medicine] author, [Catalogue(s)]

17) n. the blossom of Nelumbium Speciosum, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] (cf. nalina, )

18) smell, odour, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] (cf.nal).

19) Nāla (नाल):—mfn. ([from] nala cf. nāḍa) consisting or made of reeds, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]

20) m. ([gana] ardharcādi) f(ā, or ī, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]). and n. a hollow stalk, ([especially]) of the lotus, [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

21) m. any tube or tubular vessel or vein etc. of the body, [ib.]

22) m. or n. the navel-string, [Gobhila-śrāddha-kalpa [Scholiast or Commentator]]

23) m. Name of a poet, [Catalogue(s)]

24) Nālā (नाला):—[from nāla] f. Name of a river, [Mahābhārata; Viṣṇu-purāṇa] ([varia lectio] nīlā)

25) Nāla (नाल):—n. the urethra, [Suśruta]

26) n. a handle (only mf(ā)n. ifc.), [Mahābhārata vii, 75]

27) n. a [particular] ornament on a chariot, [Rāmāyaṇa vi, 75, 28]

28) yellow orpiment, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Nala (नल):—(laḥ) 1. m. A reed; name of a king; of a monkey; of a demon. f. () Red arsenic; perfume. n. (laṃ) Water-lily; colour.

2) Nāla (नाल):—[(laḥ-lā-laṃ)] 1. m. f. n. A hollow stalk; a tube. () 3. f. A stalk; ear piercer; 24 minutes; pulse. n. Yellow orpiment.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Nala (नल) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Ṇala, Ṇāla, Ṇāli.

[Sanskrit to German]

Nala 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.

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Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

1) Nala (नल) [Also spelled nal]:—(nm) a pipe; tap, hydrant; one of the leading monkey-warriors of Ram's army that fought the demon-king Ravan; ~[] a pipe, hydrant; ~[kūpa] a tube-well.

2) Nāla (नाल) [Also spelled naal]:—(nm) a shaft; peduncle, stalk (as of a lotus); a horse-shoe; heavy stone-ring used in weightlifting exercise; barrel; tube; a woodpipe used for administering medicine etc. to the cattle; blowpipe; the navel string; the gullet; a weaver’s spindle; (nf) commission realised by a gambling denowner from the gambling party; ~[kaṭāī] process or act of cutting of the navel-string (of a new-born) or the remuneration therefor; —[gaḍī honā, (kahīṃ para)] to be as dear as the motherland, to have immense liking for; ~[baṃda] a farrier; ~[baṃdī] the profession of a farrier; the work of fixing horse-shoes.

3) Nālā (नाला):—(nm) a rivulet; watercourse, culvert; big drain, gutter,

context information

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Prakrit-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary

1) Ṇala (णल) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Naḍa.

2) Ṇala (णल) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Nala.

3) Ṇāla (णाल) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Nāla.

4) Ṇālā (णाला) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Nāḍi.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Nala (ನಲ):—[noun] = ನಲವು [nalavu].

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Nala (ನಲ):—

1) [noun] the reed Amphidonas kurka.

2) [noun] a sweet, pleasing scent; fragrance.

3) [noun] the fiftieth of the sixty years of the Hindu cycle of years.

4) [noun] a species of fish.

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Naḷa (ನಳ):—

1) [noun] the reed Amphipoda kurka.

2) [noun] a sweet, pleasing scent; fragrance.

3) [noun] the fiftieth of the sixty years of the Hindu cycle of years.

4) [noun] a species of fish.

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Naḷa (ನಳ):—

1) [noun] a tube or pipe of clay, concrete, metal, plastic, for conveying water, gas, oil, etc.

2) [noun] a water-pipe fixed with a device for starting or stopping the flow of water; a tap.

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Nāla (ನಾಲ):—[adjective] made or consisting of reeds.

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Nāla (ನಾಲ):—

1) [noun] the hollow stalk of some plants as lotus.

2) [noun] any hollow tube of metal, glass, rubber, etc.

3) [noun] any of the tube-like structures in the body as windpipe, oesophagus, etc.

4) [noun] that part of a tool, utensil, etc meant to be held by hand while being used; a handle.

5) [noun] a narrow, long bed bound on both sides by embankment, made for water to run through; a channel.

6) [noun] arsenic trisulfide, As2S3 , having a lemon-yellow colour and a resinous lustre which is used as a pigment; yellow orpiment.

7) [noun] a long, flat shaft used as a lever to propel a boat; an oar.

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Nāla (ನಾಲ):—

1) [noun] a metal plate nailed to the hooves of oxen, horses, etc. for protection; a shoe.

2) [noun] a payment made or to be made by the players of the game of chance to the person who runs the club.

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Nālā (ನಾಲಾ):—[noun] = ನಾಲೆ [nale]1.

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Nāḷa (ನಾಳ):—[adjective] made or consisting of reeds.

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Nāḷa (ನಾಳ):—

1) [noun] the hollow stalk of some plants as lotus.

2) [noun] any hollow tube of metal, glass, rubber, etc.

3) [noun] any of the tube-like structures in the body as windpipe, oesophagus, etc.

4) [noun] that part of a tool, utensil, etc meant to be held by hand while being used; a handle.

5) [noun] a narrow, long bed bound on both sides by embankment, made for water to run through; a channel.

6) [noun] arsenic trisulfide, As2S3, having a lemon-yellow colour and a resinous lustre which is used as a pigment; yellow orpiment.

7) [noun] a long, flat shaft used as a lever to propel a boat; an oar.

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Nāḷa (ನಾಳ):—

1) [noun] a metal plate nailed to the hooves of oxen, horses, etc. for protection; a shoe.

2) [noun] a payment made or to be made by the players of the game of chance to the person who runs the club.

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Nāḻa (ನಾೞ):—[noun] that which is made for cheating others; a counterfeit.

context information

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

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Tamil dictionary

Source: DDSA: University of Madras: Tamil Lexicon

Nala (நல) [nalattal] 12 verb < நன்-மை. [nan-mai.] intransitive To result in good; to take a favourable turn; நல மாதல். நலக்க வடியோமை யாண்டுகொண்டு [nalavenpa mathal. nalakka vadiyomai yandugondu] (திருவாசகம் [thiruvasagam] 9, 6). — transitive cf. நய¹-. [naya¹-.] To wish, desire; விரும்புதல். விலங்குசாக நலந்தத னுருவங்கொண்ட தென்கொலோ [virumbuthal. vilangusaga nalanthatha nuruvangonda thenkolo] (திருவாலவாயுடையார் திருவிளையாடற் [thiruvalavayudaiyar thiruvilaiyadar] 59, 2).

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Naḷa (நள) noun < Anala. The 50th year of the Jupiter cycle; வருஷம் அறுபதனுள் ஐம்பதாவதாண்டு. [varusham arupathanul aimbathavathandu.]

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Nālā (நாலா) adjectival < நால். [nal.] Many; பல. நாலாபக்கமும். [pala. nalapakkamum.]

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Nālā (நாலா) noun < Urdu nālā. (W.)

1. Water channel; water-course; வாய்க்கால். [vaykkal.]

2. Ravine; பள்ளத்தாக்கு. [pallathakku.]

context information

Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.

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