Shyamala, Śyāmalā: 20 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
Biology
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Hindi
4. Kannada
See also

Introduction:

Shyamala means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi, 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 term Śyāmalā can be transliterated into English as Syamala or Shyamala, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Shyamal.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

1) Śyāmala (श्यामल) refers to a “dark blue hue”, representing the material of Varuṇa’s liṅga, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.12, where the Devas and Viṣṇu requested Viśvakarman for liṅgas for the achievement of the desires of all people:—“[...] at our bidding Viśvakarmā made liṅgas and gave them to the devas according to their status. [...] Dharma took a liṅga of yellow stone, Varuṇa took a liṅga of dark blue hue (Śyāmala-liṅga). Viṣṇu took a liṅga of sapphire. I, Brahmā, took a liṅga of gold. [...] Thus different kinds of liṅgas were given to them by Viśvakarmā which the devas and the celestial sages worship regularly. After giving the devas the various liṅgas from a desire for their benefit, Viṣṇu explained the mode of worship of Śiva to me, Brahmā”.

2) Śyāmala (श्यामल) refers to “dark (clouds)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.22. Accordingly as Sitā said to Śiva:—“[...] the most unbearable season of the advent of clouds (ghanāgama or jaladāgama) has arrived with clusters of clouds of diverse hues, and their music reverberating in the sky and the various quarters. [...] With the clusters of clouds dark (śyāmala), silvery and red in colour clinging to the Mandara mountain (peak), Himālaya appears as the ocean of milk with the birds of diverse colours”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Śyāmalā (श्यामला).—Is Lalitā.^*

* Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 19. 33; 23. 94; 30. 48.

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.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

Source: WorldCat: Rāj nighaṇṭu

1) Śyāmalā (श्यामला) is another name for Aśvagandhā, a medicinal plant identified with Withania somnifera Dunal. (“Indian ginseng” or “Winter Cherry”) from the Solanaceae or Nightshade family of flowering plants, according to verse 4.109-112 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. The fourth chapter (śatāhvādi-varga) of this book enumerates eighty varieties of small plants (pṛthu-kṣupa). Together with the names Śyāmalā and Aśvagandhā, there are a total of twenty-two Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

2) Śyāmalā (श्यामला) also represents a synonym for Nīlabhṛṅgarāja, which is the blue/black variety of Mārkava, a medicinal plant identified with Eclipta nigra, according to verse 4.138-141. Together with the names Śyāmala and Mārkava, there are a total of twenty Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant. Note: R. P. T. claims he himself has seen its miraculous effect in normalising blood pressure and its rejuvenating effect.

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Śyāmala (श्यामल) refers to a “blackish colour”, as taught in the Ceṣṭita (“symptoms of snake-bites”) section of 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 (Agadatantra or Sarpavidyā).—Sage Kāśyapa adds a graphic description of the features of a fatally bitten victim. Blackish-blue (śyāmala) coloured blood [rudhiraṃ śyāmalaṃ mecakaṃ syāt] oozing from the site of a fatal snake-bite, thirst, sweat, stiffness of limbs, horripilation, trembling of organs, ungainly appearance of lips and teeth, nasal speech, loss of consciousness and disfigurement—all these are surefire signs of a fatally bitten person.

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.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: University of Vienna: Sudarśana's Worship at the Royal Court According to the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā

Śyāmala (श्यामल) refers to “(having a) dark complexion”, according to the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, belonging to the Pāñcarātra tradition which deals with theology, rituals, iconography, narrative mythology and others.—Accordingly, “One desirous of a kingdom, one who has been deprived of it or one conquered by [other] rulers, after having paid respect with large masses of wealth to the supreme Guru, the giver of Sudarśana’s Yantra, considering [him] superior to all, should propitiate God Nārāyaṇa—who has large eyes like lotuses, is [of] dark [complexion] (śyāmala), clad in a yellow garment, adorned with all ornaments and with four arms - following the rules given by the teacher. [...]”.

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)

Source: archive.org: Hindu Mathematics

Śyāmala (श्यामल) or Śyāmalaka refers to the “blackish color” which were used as symbols for the unknowns, according to the principles of Bījagaṇita (“algebra” or ‘science of calculation’), according to Gaṇita-śāstra, ancient Indian mathematics and astronomy.—Āryabhaṭa I (499) very probably used coloured shots to represent unknowns. Brahmagupta (628) in the Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta mentions varṇa as the symbols of unknowns. As he has not attempted in any way to explain this method of symbolism, it appears that the method was already very familiar. [...] In the case of more unknowns, it is usual to denote the first yāvattāvat and the remaining ones by alphabets or colours [e.g., śyāmala].—Cf. Pṛthūdakasvāmī (860) in his commentary on the Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta by Brahmagupta (628) and Bhāskara II in the Bījagaṇita.

context information

Ganitashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, gaṇitaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mathematics, algebra, number theory, arithmetic, etc. Closely allied with astronomy, both were commonly taught and studied in universities, even since the 1st millennium BCE. Ganita-shastra also includes ritualistic math-books such as the Shulba-sutras.

Biology (plants and animals)

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

Syamala in India is the name of a plant defined with Ichnocarpus frutescens in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Echites caudatus Blanco, nom. illeg. (among others).

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

· Obs. Pl. Nov. (1871)
· Prodr. (DC.) (1844)
· Encycl. (Lamarck) (1804)
· Notizbl. Bot. Gart. BerlinDahlem (1931)
· The Flora of Tripura State. (1981)
· Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie (1927)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Syamala, for example extract dosage, chemical composition, side effects, health benefits, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, 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

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

śyāmala (श्यामल).—a S Dark blue.

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

śyāmala (श्यामल).—a Dark blue.

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.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Śyāmala (श्यामल).—a. Black, dark-blue, blackish; दशरथतनयं श्यामलं शान्तमूर्तिम् (daśarathatanayaṃ śyāmalaṃ śāntamūrtim) Rāma-rakṣā 26; निशितश्यामलस्निग्धमुखी शक्तिः (niśitaśyāmalasnigdhamukhī śaktiḥ) Ve.4; Śiśupālavadha 18.36; श्यामलानोकश्रीः (śyāmalānokaśrīḥ) Uttararāmacarita 2.25.

-laḥ 1 Black colour.

2) Black pepper.

3) A large bee.

4) The sacred fig-tree.

-lā Name of Durgā.

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

Śyāmala (श्यामल).—mfn.

(-laḥ-lā-laṃ) Of a black or dark-blue colour. m.

(-laḥ) 1. Black, (the colour.) 2. Black-pepper. 3. The religious-fig-tree. 4. A large bee. f.

(-lā) A name of Parvati. E. śyāma black, lā to have, aff. ka .

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

Śyāmala (श्यामल).—[śyāma + la], I. adj., f. lā, Of a dark-blue or black colour, [Daśakumāracarita] in Chr. 190, 13; blackish, [Mālatīmādhava, (ed. Calc.)] 145, 10. Ii. m. 1. Black (the colour). 2. Pepper. 3. The religious fig-tree. 4. A large bee. Iii. f. lā, Pārvatī.

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

Śyāmala (श्यामल).—[adjective] dark-coloured.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

Śyāmala (श्यामल) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—a poet of Kāśmīra. [Sūktikarṇāmṛta by Śrīdharadāsa] Quoted by Kṣemendra in Aucityavicāracarcā 16, in Suvṛttatilaka 2, 31. 35. Called Śyāmalaka in [Subhāshitāvali by Vallabhadeva]

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

1) Śyāmala (श्यामल):—[from śyāma] mf(ā)n. dark-coloured, [Harivaṃśa; Kāvya literature] etc.

2) [v.s. ...] m. black (the colour), [Horace H. Wilson]

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

4) [v.s. ...] Terminalia Arjuna, [Pañcaviṃśa-brāhmaṇa [Scholiast or Commentator]]

5) [v.s. ...] a species of plant serving as a substitute for the Soma pl° (= pūtīka), [Kātyāyana-śrauta-sūtra [Scholiast or Commentator]]

6) [v.s. ...] the sacred fig-tree, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

7) [v.s. ...] black pepper, [Horace H. Wilson]

8) [v.s. ...] Name of a poet, [Sadukti-karṇāmṛta; Kṣemendra]

9) [v.s. ...] of another man, [Vāsavadattā, [Introduction]]

10) Śyāmalā (श्यामला):—[from śyāmala > śyāma] a f. Name of various plants (Physalis Flexuosa; = kaṭa-ohī; = kastūrī; = jambū), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

11) [v.s. ...] a form of Durgā, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

12) [v.s. ...] Name of a woman, [Buddhist literature]

13) [from śyāma] b f. (of śyāmala) in [compound]

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

Śyāmala (श्यामल):—[(laḥ-lā-laṃ) a.] Of a black or dark blue colour. m. Black pepper; religious fig-tree; large bee. f. (ī) Pārvatī.

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

Śyāmala (श्यामल) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Sāmala.

[Sanskrit to German]

Shyamala 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.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Śyāmala (श्यामल) [Also spelled shyamal]:—(a) dark-complexioned, dark-coloured, black; hence ~[latā, ~limā] (nf).

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Śyāmala (ಶ್ಯಾಮಲ):—[adjective] = ಶ್ಯಾಮ [shyama]1.

--- OR ---

Śyāmala (ಶ್ಯಾಮಲ):—[noun] = ಶ್ಯಾಮ [shyama]2 - 1, 2 & 3.

--- OR ---

Śyāmaḷa (ಶ್ಯಾಮಳ):—[adjective] = ಶ್ಯಾಮ [shyama]1.

--- OR ---

Śyāmaḷa (ಶ್ಯಾಮಳ):—[noun] = ಶ್ಯಾಮ [shyama]2 - 1, 2 & 3.

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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