Alarka, Ālarka: 22 definitions
Introduction:
Alarka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Alark.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: Bhagavata PuranaAlarka (अलर्क):—Son of Dyumān (son of Divodāsa). He reigned over the earth for sixty-six thousand years. His son was called Santati. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.17.8)
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia1) Alarka (अलर्क).—The name of an insect. It was in the form of this insect that Indra went and bore a hole on the leg of Karṇa while Paraśurāma was sleeping on his lap. The blood that flowed from Karṇa’s foot wetted the body of the preceptor.
2) Alarka (अलर्क).—A king of the states of Kāśī and Karūṣa. He was a very honest man. Forsaking all riches and his kingdom he accepted Dharmamārga. (Śloka 64, Chapter 115, Anuśāsana Parva, Mahābhārata). He was a member of the council of yama. He attained salvation by yoga and meditation. (18th Śloka, Chapter 8, Sabhā Parva, Mahābhārata).
2) Once Alarka decided to overcome the five senses. To control them he sent arrows at the mind, nose, tongue, ear, eye, skin and intelligence. But the senses never surrendered to them. Then Alarka by sheer dhyāna and yoga brought them under control. (Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 30).
2) Alarka once told a blind brahmin boy to ask for any boon from him. The boy demanded the eyes of Alarka. To keep his promise Alarka scooped out his eyes and gave them to the blind boy. (Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, Sarga 12, Śloka 43).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Alarka (अलर्क).—A pupil of Dattātreya: a sage who realised the force of harimāyā.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa I. 3. 11; II. 7. 44.
1b) A son of Dyumat, and father of Sannati. He retained his youth and ruled for 66,000 years. The br. purāṇa and the viṣṇu purāṇa make him the son respectively of Vatsa and Pratardana, and father of Sannati.1 A Rājaṛṣi of Kāśī; attained longevity through the grace of Lopāmudrā. Killed the Rākṣasa Kṣemaka and recovered his capital. Two ancient verses in his praise.2
- 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 67. 69, 72; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 8. 16-18; Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 17. 6-8.
- 2) Matsya-purāṇa 180. 68-9; Vāyu-purāṇa 92. 66-8.
Alarka (अलर्क) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. XIV.14, XIII.116.67, XIII.115) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Alarka) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
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)
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
Source: Ancient Science of Life: Yogaśataka of Pandita VararuciAlarka (अलर्क) or simply Alarkaviṣa refers to “rabies”, and is dealt with in the Viṣatantra (“treatment of poisons”) section of the 10th century Yogaśataka written by Pandita Vararuci.—The Yogaśataka of Pandita Vararuci is an example of this category. This book attracts reader by its very easy language and formulations which can be easily prepared and have small number of herbs. It describes only those formulations which are the most common and can be used in majority conditions of diseases (viz., Alarka-viṣa).
Treatment of Alarka-viṣa (rabies) is recommended with a mixture of crushed Tila (Sesamum indicum Linn.), jaggery and latex of Arka (Calotropis procera Ait.f.).
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa1) Alarka (अलर्क) refers to “rabid dogs”, whose treatment (cikitsā) is described in 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 (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—In the 12h adhyāya, Kāśyapasaṃhita adds external and internal antidotes for poisons of various animals and insects [e.g., dogs (śva) or rabid dogs (matta-alarka)].
2) Alarka (अलर्क) is the name of an ingredient included in a (snake) poison antidote recipe, according to the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā.—Several formulations have been mentioned in the form of Pāna—drink or decoction (kaṣāya).—According to Kāśyapasaṃhitā (verse VIII.49), “A potion of sesame oil, meat, jaggery, milk and Arka mixed in equal measures along with the powdered root of Alarka tree is also mentioned as a quick reliever of both kinds of poison”.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: Ancient Science of Life: Snake bite treatment in Prayoga samuccayamAlarka (अलर्क) or Alarkaviṣa refers to “rabies”, and is dealt with in the 20th century Prayogasamuccaya (one of the most popular and widely practised book in toxicology in Malayalam).—In case of garden lizard poisoning, coin like round lesions appear all over body. In this condition, oral intake of Nīlī (Indigofera tinctoria) root decoction will be effective. Alarka-viṣa (rabies) is also mentioned in this context. Signs and symptoms, the differentiating features of a rabid dog bite, prognosis, diet restrictions and the treatment protocol with formulations are explained here.
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 AhirbudhnyasaṃhitāAlarka (अलर्क) is the name of an ancient king having performed the pacificatory ritual described chapter 47 of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, belonging to the Pāñcarātra tradition which deals with theology, rituals, iconography, narrative mythology and others.—Accordingly, “[This rite] should be employed by utterly glorious Sovereigns when they are in distress—[...] Ambarīśa, Śuka, Alarka, Māndhātṛ, Purūravas, Rājoparicara, Dhundhu, Śibi and Śrutakīrtana—those Kings of old attained Universal Sovereignty after performing this. They became free of diseases and free of enemies. Their fame was widely spread and blameless”.
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.
In Jainism
Jain philosophy
Source: archive.org: Anekanta Jaya Pataka of Haribhadra SuriAlarka (अलर्क) refers to a “mad (rabid) dog”, as occurring in the Anekāntajayapatākā-prakaraṇa, a Śvetāmbara Jain philosophical work written by Haribhadra Sūri.—[Cf. Vol. I, P. 303, l. 7]—‘Mūṣikā’ here means a female rat and not a crucible. ‘Alarka’ means (i) a mad dog, (ii) a fabulous animal like a hog with eight legs, (iii) a kind of worm and (iv) a kind of tree called Arka. But here it signifies a mad (rabid) dog. There are after-effects of the poison of a female rat, and so is the case with the poison of a mad dog. The after-effects of the latter are seen in the rainy season etc. This is a popular belief. So says Haribhadra. That these poisons are harmful is the opinion of the modern medical science.
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Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and DrugsAlarka in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Solanum trilobatum L. from the Solanaceae (Potato) family. For the possible medicinal usage of alarka, 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.
Alarka in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand. from the Apocynaceae (Oleander) family having the following synonyms: Asclepias procera, Calotropis wallichii, Madorius procerus.
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)1) Alarka in India is the name of a plant defined with Calotropis gigantea in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Madorius giganteus Kuntze (among others).
2) Alarka is also identified with Calotropis procera It has the synonym Apocynum syriacum Garsault (etc.).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Reise Russland (1774)
· Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden (1930)
· A Numerical List of Dried Specimens (8217)
· Journal of Natural Products
· World J. Gastroenterol. (2517)
· Contraception. (2007)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Alarka, for example diet and recipes, extract dosage, health benefits, side effects, pregnancy safety, chemical composition, have a look at these references.
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 Dictionaryalarka (अलर्क).—m S Canine rabies, Hydrophobia.
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 dictionaryAlarka (अलर्क).—
1) A mad dog or one rendered furious.
2) A fabulous animal like a hog with eight legs. अष्टपादं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रं सूचीभिरिव संवृतम् । रोमभिः सन्निरुद्धाङ्गमलर्कं नाम नामतः (aṣṭapādaṃ tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭraṃ sūcībhiriva saṃvṛtam | romabhiḥ sanniruddhāṅgamalarkaṃ nāma nāmataḥ) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 12.3.13.
3) A kind of worm.
4) Name of a plant (śvetārka; Mar. pāṃḍharī ruī).
Derivable forms: alarkaḥ (अलर्कः).
--- OR ---
Ālarka (आलर्क).—a. [alarkasyedaṃ aṇ] Relating to or caused by a mad dog; आलर्कं विषमिव सर्वतः प्रसृप्तम् (ālarkaṃ viṣamiva sarvataḥ prasṛptam) Uttararāmacarita 1.4; निहन्ति विषमालर्कं मेघवृन्दमिवानिलः (nihanti viṣamālarkaṃ meghavṛndamivānilaḥ).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAlarka (अलर्क).—m.
(-rkaḥ) 1. White swallow wort, (Calotropis gigantea alba.) 2. A mad dog or one rendered furious. 3. A fabulous animal, like a hog with eight legs. 4. An Asura changed to such an animal. Also alarkka. E. al to adorn, &c. kvip affix, and arka to inflame or heat.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryAlarka (अलर्क).—m. 1. A fabulous animal, Mahābhārata 12, 87. 2. The proper name of a prince, [Rāmāyaṇa] 2, 12, 40.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryAlarka (अलर्क).—[masculine] a mad dog; a fabulous animal; a plant.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Alarka (अलर्क):—m. a mad dog or one rendered furious, [Suśruta]
2) a fabulous animal, like a hog with eight legs, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa; Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa]
3) the plant Calatropis Gigantea Alba, [Suśruta] (cf. dīrghālarka)
4) Name of a king, [Harivaṃśa etc.]
5) Ālarka (आलर्क):—mfn. ([from] alarka), caused by or relating to a mad dog, [Suśruta]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryAlarka (अलर्क):—(kaḥ) 1. m. White swallowwort; mad dog; a fabulous animal or hog with eight legs.
[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 dictionaryAlarka (अलर्क) [Also spelled alark]:—(nm) a rabid dog;—[roga] rabies, hydrophobia.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusAlarka (ಅಲರ್ಕ):—
1) [noun] a mad dog or the one rendered furious.
2) [noun] the plant Calotropis gigantica (var. albiflora) of Asclepiadaceae family; white swallow wort.
3) [noun] a boring insect.
--- OR ---
Aḷarka (ಅಳರ್ಕ):—[noun] a kind of boring insect.
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: Alarkah, Alarkamalai, Alarkamula, Alarkannan, Alarkapatramu, Alarkarumam, Alarkatavul, Alarkatir, Alarkavisha, Alarkay.
Ends with: Analarka, Balarka, Dhavalarka, Dirghalarka, Jalarka, Jvalanalarka, Kalarka, Khakalarka, Mattalarka, Sitalarka, Vajrajvalanalarka.
Full-text (+50): Alaka, Santati, Pratardana, Anarka, Dirghalarka, Arulakam, Sunitha, Lauhi, Kuvalayashva, Alark, Alarkavisha, Kshemaka, Prasrip, Madalasa, Alarkamula, Samnati, Anvikshiki, Shva, Arkadi, Akkan.
Relevant text
Search found 24 books and stories containing Alarka, Ālarka, Aḷarka; (plurals include: Alarkas, Ālarkas, Aḷarkas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Markandeya Purana (by Frederick Eden Pargiter)
Canto XLIV - Jaḍa’s exposition in his conversation with his father (concluded)
Canto XIX - The Episode of Dattātreya
Canto XXVI - The story of Kuvalayāśva (continued): The Education of his Sons
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section XXX < [Anugita Parva]
Section VIII < [Lokapala Sabhakhayana Parva]
Section III < [Rajadharmanusasana Parva]
The Markandeya Purana (Study) (by Chandamita Bhattacharya)
1. Worship and Mythology of Dattātreya (Nārāyaṇa) < [Chapter 3]
Socio-Cultural aspects reflected in the Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa (Introduction) < [Chapter 2]
8. Obstacles (upasarga) in the Path of Yoga < [Chapter 4]
The Bhagavata Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 17 - The Lunar Dynasty—The Descendants of Āyu, the Son of Purūravas < [Book 9 - Ninth Skandha]
Chapter 3 - Description of twenty-four incarnations of lord Viṣṇu < [Book 1 - First Skandha]
Chapter 13 - The Code of Conduct for Saṃnyāsins < [Book 7 - Seventh Skandha]
The Vishnu Purana (by Horace Hayman Wilson)
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