Alaktaka: 14 definitions
Introduction:
Alaktaka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Hindi. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Alaktak.
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary studyAlaktaka (अलक्तक) refers to a “red dye for feet” and forms part of the cosmetics and personal decoration that was once commonly applied to one’s body in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) as mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—Reference is made in the Nīlamata to various sorts of scents, perfumes, unguents, flowers and garlands. For example, Alaktaka in verse 417. Some processes of decoration like rubbing the body with emollient unguents (udvartana), anointing it with unguents (utsādana) and applying sandle-paste etc. after bath (anulepana) are referred to.
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationAlaktaka (अलक्तक) refers to “red lac juice” (applied to one’s feet), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.45 (“Śiva’s comely form and the Jubilation of the Citizens”).—Accordingly, after Menā spoke to Śiva: “By that time the ladies of the town left the work they were engaged in, in their eagerness to see Śiva. [...] Another damsel engaged in applying the red lac juice (alaktaka) to her feet heard the tumult outside and so left it in the middle and came out to see the procession. Thus the ladies forsook their activities, left their houses and came out. On seeing the exquisite form of Śiva they were greatly fascinated. [...]”.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramAlaktaka (अलक्तक) refers to “lac” according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “[...] (1) The Foundation (ādhāra) (at the base of the spine) is the first Wheel (brilliant and coloured) like red lac [i.e., rakta-alaktaka-sannibha]. There, in the middle, is the one called Haṃsa, (shining white) like a multitude of moons. [...] (Perfect) contemplation (samādhi) is with (these) sixteen aspects and is (attained) within the form of the sixfold deposition (ṣoḍhānyāsa). He who knows this is (a veritable) Lord of Yogis, the others (who do not) are (just) quoting from books. Once attained the plane that is Void and Non-void, the yogi is freed from bondage”.
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.
Kavya (poetry)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (kavya)Alaktaka (अलक्तक) refers to “(cloths dyed with) red lac”, according to Bāṇa’s Kādambarī (p. 225-226).—Accordingly, while describing the shire of the Goddess Caṇḍikā, “[Then follows the image of the Goddess Caṇḍikā, which matches the conception of Kālarātri in the passage from the Mahābhārata:] Her feet were never bereft of cloths [dyed with] red lac (alaktaka-paṭa) thrown upon the mound of her seat [on the altar] as if they were the lives of all creatures arrived there for shelter; she resembled an inhabitant of the Underworld because of the intense darkness obstructed [only] by the flashes from axes, spears, etc., weapons deadly for beings, that seemed to hold nets of hair stuck from decapitations because of the reflections of black yak-tail whisks cast [upon their surfaces]; [...]”.
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’.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryAlaktaka (अलक्तक).—[na rakto'smāt, rasya latvam, svārthe kan Tv.] The red resin of certain trees, red lac or sap (formerly used by women to dye certain parts of their body, particularly the soles of the feet and lip) (Mar. aḷitā); (dantavāsasā) चिरोज्झितालक्तकपाटलेन (cirojjhitālaktakapāṭalena) Kumārasambhava 5. 34,68;7.58; बिम्बाधरालक्तकः (bimbādharālaktakaḥ) M.3.5; अलक्तकाङ्कां पदवीं ततान (alaktakāṅkāṃ padavīṃ tatāna) R.7.7; स्त्रियो हृतार्थाः पुरुषं निरर्थं निष्पीडितालक्तकवत्त्यजन्ति (striyo hṛtārthāḥ puruṣaṃ nirarthaṃ niṣpīḍitālaktakavattyajanti) Mṛcchakaṭika 4.15.
Derivable forms: alaktakaḥ (अलक्तकः).
See also (synonyms): alakta.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAlaktaka (अलक्तक).—n.
(-kaṃ) Lac, the dye; see the preceding. E. As before, kan being added.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryAlaktaka (अलक्तक).—[alakta + ka], m. Lac (see the last).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryAlaktaka (अलक्तक):—[from alakta] m. rarely n. idem, [Kumāra-sambhava etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryAlaktaka (अलक्तक):—(kaṃ) 1. n. Idem.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Alaktaka (अलक्तक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Alattaya.
[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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryAlaktaka (अलक्तक) [Also spelled alaktak]:—(nm) see [alatā].
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Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusAlaktaka (ಅಲಕ್ತಕ):—[noun] a resinous substance secreted by various scale insects, esp. a species (Laccifer lacca) of India, that live on certain fig, soapberry, and acacia trees, formerly used by women to dye their soles, feet, breast, etc.; lac; shellac.
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: Alaktakacchavi, Alaktakadrava, Alaktakanka, Alaktakapata, Alaktakaraga, Alaktakarasa, Alaktakasannibha.
Ends with: Pindalaktaka, Raktalaktaka, Salaktaka, Vanalaktaka.
Full-text: Alakta, Laktaka, Janakarin, Salaktaka, Alattaya, Alattaka, Alaktak, Alaktakaraga, Pindalaktaka, Alaktakarasa, Alata, Cakravartini, Pata, Cakravartin, Vartana, Abhisheka.
Relevant text
Search found 10 books and stories containing Alaktaka; (plurals include: Alaktakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India (by Remadevi. O.)
1.11. Use of Lākṣā (Lac) < [Chapter 1 - Cosmetics]
Sushruta Samhita, volume 4: Cikitsasthana (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)
Charaka Samhita (English translation) (by Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurvedic Society)
Chapter 24 - The Blood derived through Systematic Regimen (Vidhi-shonita) < [Sutrasthana (Sutra Sthana) — General Principles]
The Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter CC - Various other medicinal Recipes (continued) < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
Sushruta Samhita, volume 1: Sutrasthana (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)
The Nilamata Purana (by Dr. Ved Kumari)