Significance of Rucaka

Rucaka has multiple meanings across different cultural and philosophical contexts. In Jainism, it signifies both directions associated with eight goddesses and a central point in the universe's structure. Tibetan Buddhism references Rucaka as a type of utensil, while Vastushastra uses it in relation to Meru varieties. Additionally, in the Purana texts, it denotes an herb with medicinal properties and a building type lacking a northern doorway. Ayurveda identifies Rucaka as a splintered tooth, and in Vyakarana, it describes a unique mansion style.1
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In Dutch: Rucaka; In German: Rucaka; In Finnish: Rucaka; In Spanish: Rucaka

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

Buddhist concept of 'Rucaka'

Buddhism Books

Rucaka in Buddhism represents a specific utensil, akin to Vardhamanaka, emphasizing the significance of material objects in philosophical discussions and their role in understanding broader concepts within the Buddhist framework.

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]

(1) Another specific type of utensil referenced, similar to Vardhamanaka, signifying the importance of material items in philosophical analysis.[1]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Hindu concept of 'Rucaka'

Hinduism Books

Rucaka in Hinduism signifies a building devoid of a northern doorway, a distinctive mansion style with east and west verandahs, a variant of Meru, a splintered tooth, and an herb with medicinal benefits.

Significance in Vastushastra (architecture):
Vastushastra Books

From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)

(1) Another name included in the varieties of Meru, which may have specific cultural significance.[2]

From: Samarangana-sutradhara (Summary)

(1) A type of male figure outlined by the author, contributing to the classification of proportions.[3]

Vastushastra 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.

Significance in Ayurveda (science of life):
Ayurveda Books

From: Sushruta Samhita, volume 2: Nidanasthana

(1) Refers to a tooth that is found to be splintered off.[4]

Ayurveda is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ayurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Jain concept of 'Rucaka'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, Rucaka represents a central point comprising four spatial units, crucial to the universe's structure, and signifies the directional origins of the eight goddesses from the cardinal points: east, south, west, and north.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) The directions from which the eight goddesses came, specifically east, south, west, and north.[5] (2) A central point that has four units of space, playing a significant role in the structure of the universe.[6]

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.

The concept of Rucaka in local and regional sources

History Books

Rucaka relates to the concept of a cube within the horizontal universe, symbolizing the eight space-points that serve as a foundation for the ten directions, illustrating its significance in spatial organization and cosmology.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: History of Science in South Asia

(1) This term refers to the cube, particularly in the context of the horizontal universe, and is associated with the eight space-points from which the ten directions flow.[7]