Arjaka: 15 definitions
Introduction:
Arjaka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi, 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.
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Gandha-Shastra (science of cosmetics, skin care, etc.)
Arjaka (अर्जक) (Sweet Basil, Ocimum basilicum) is an ingredient in the recipe of unguents used for massages and baths, according to the 12th century Mānasollasa, an encyclopedic Sanskrit text of which certain chapters deal with bhogas (enjoyoments of life) such as perfumery, massage and bathing.—In India the importance of daily bath for persons of all classes has been emphasised by Hindu religion. Indian medical texts contain detailed instructions about the daily bath both for bodily comfort and cleanliness. King Someśvara lays down detailed instructions about the royal bath in his work. Accordingly, athletes (mallas) well versed in the art of massaging should massage the king’s person freely with the tender palms of their hands by the use of fragrant and medicinal oil. After massaging the king’s person with perfumed oil an unguent should be applied to it [including for example, arjaka].
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
1) Arjaka (अर्जक) is a Sanskrit word referring to Ocimum basilicum (Thai basil), a herb from the Lamiaceae (mint/deadnettle) family, and is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. It is also known by the names Barbarī in Sanskrit, and Bābul or Bābuyitulasī in Hindi. Other names in English include “sweet basil” or simply “Basil”. The literal translation for the Sanskrit wrod Arjaka is “procuring, acquiring”.
2) Arjaka (अर्जक) is another name (synonym) for Bastagandhā, which is the Sanskrit word for Ocimum gratissimum (clove basil), a plant from the Lamiaceae family. This synonym was identified by Narahari in his 13th-century Rājanighaṇṭu, which is an Ayurvedic medicinal thesaurus.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Arjaka (अर्जक) refers to the plant Ocimum gratissimum (also known as Ram-tulsi), according to chapter 1.2 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly, as Vāsava [i.e., Śakra or Indra] instructed the Ābhiyogika-gods:
“proclaim aloud to the four classes of gods, ‘If any one thinks anything unfavourable to the Arhat and the Arhat’s mother, his head will split into seven pieces like the clusters of blossoms of the arjaka’.”
Note: The Ocimum gratissimum (arjaka) is the rām-tulsi. Its blossoms grow in clusters, but the number is not always 7. It varies from 6-10.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Arjaka [अर्जक] in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Orthosiphon pallidus Royle ex Benth. from the Lamiaceae (Mint) family. For the possible medicinal usage of arjaka, 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.
1) Arjaka in India is the name of a plant defined with Ocimum americanum in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Ocimum dichotomum Hochst. ex Benth. (among others).
2) Arjaka is also identified with Ocimum basilicum It has the synonym Plectranthus barrelieri Spreng. (etc.).
3) Arjaka is also identified with Ocimum tenuiflorum It has the synonym Lumnitzera tenuiflora Spreng. (etc.).
4) Arjaka is also identified with Orthosiphon pallidus It has the synonym Ocimum inodorus J. König ex Hook. (etc.).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Species Plantarum, ed. 4 (1800)
· Les Figures des Plantes et Animaux d'Usage en Medecine (1764)
· Acta Facultatis Rerum Naturalium Universitatis Comenianae, Botanica (1992)
· Cytologia (1981)
· Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany (1962)
· Journal of Cytology and Genetics (1982)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Arjaka, for example side effects, extract dosage, health benefits, chemical composition, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, 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
arjaka (अर्जक).—a S That earns, gains, acquires.
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
Arjaka (अर्जक).—a. [arj-ṇvul] (-rjikā f.) Procuring, acquiring; one who acquires or gets; अर्जको ह्यंशमाहरेत् (arjako hyaṃśamāharet) Smṛti.
-kaḥ Name of several plants सितपर्णास, वर्वरीभेद (sitaparṇāsa, varvarībheda); सामान्यतुलसी (sāmānyatulasī).
Arjaka (अर्जक).—mfn.
(-kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) An acquirer, one who gains or acquires. m.
(-kaḥ) Basil, the white sort, (Ocymum villosum.) E. arja to gain, and vun aff.
Arjaka (अर्जक).—[adjective] gaining, acquiring.
1) Arjaka (अर्जक):—[from arj] mfn. procuring, acquiring, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
2) [v.s. ...] m. the plant Ocimum Gratissimum, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Arjaka (अर्जक):—(kaḥ) 1. m. Basil; an acquirer.
Arjaka (अर्जक):—1. (von 1. arj) adj. herbeischaffend, erwerbend: ata eva vasiṣṭhena jyeṣṭhasyāṃśadvayamabhidhāyārjakasyāṃśadvayamabhihitam [DĀY. im Śabdakalpadruma]
--- OR ---
Arjaka (अर्जक):—2. (von 5. arj) m. Name verschiedener Pflanzen:
1) Ocymum gratissimum L., eine wohlriechende Pflanze, [Amarakoṣa 2, 4, 2, 60.] —
2) varvarībheda (kṣudratu.asī, kṣudraparṇa, mukhārjaka, ugragandha, jambīra, kuṭhera, kaṭhiñjara) [Rājanirghaṇṭa im Śabdakalpadruma] —
3) sāmānyatulasī [Ratnamālā im Śabdakalpadruma]
--- OR ---
Arjaka (अर्जक):—2. [Z. 1] lies Ocimum.
Arjaka (अर्जक):——
1) Adj. sich verschaffen , erwerbend. —
2) *m. Ocimum pilosum [Rājan 10,159.]
Arjaka (अर्जक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Ajjaya.
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Arjaka (ಅರ್ಜಕ):—[noun] a man who earns; an earner.
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 (+0): Arjakah, Arjakasya.
Full-text (+4): Krishnarjaka, Sitarjaka, Asrarjaka, A li shu, Arjakah, Mukharjaka, A li shu zhi, Kshudraparna, E du jia man zhe li, Kuthera, Kshudratulasi, Ajjuka, Arjana, A le tho, A le thu, Ajjaya, Arjan, Surasadi, Phaṇijjhaka, Bastagandha.
Relevant text
Search found 20 books and stories containing Arjaka; (plurals include: Arjakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
A literary review of ocimum basilicum linn (barbari) in ayurveda < [2018: Volume 7, April special issue 8]
Therapeutic review of nirgundi < [2022: Volume 11, December special issue 17]
A multifaceted five leave chaste tree (vitex negundo) – a review < [2022: Volume 11, October issue 13]
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 124 < [Hindi-Gujarati-English Volume 1]
Page 165 < [English-Gujarati-Hindi (1 volume)]
Page 126 < [Hindi-Marathi-English Volume 1]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
A literary review of susrutokta sursadi gana < [2024, Issue 10. October]
An emphasis on bahirparimarjana chikitsa of “kikkisa (striae gravi-darum/stretch marks)” < [2020, Issue 4, April]
Viruddha ahara - an important cause of dermatological disorders in ayurveda: a scientific approach < [2020, Issue 3, March]
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Appendix 2.2: botanical notes < [Appendices]
Part 5: Śānti’s birth-bath < [Chapter V - Twelfth incarnation as Śānti]
Part 8: Birth-ceremonies presided over by Śakra < [Chapter II - Birth of Ajita and Sagara]
Atharvaveda and Charaka Samhita (by Laxmi Maji)
Classification of Drugs in the Caraka-Saṃhitā < [Chapter 4 - Diseases and Remedial measures (described in Caraka-saṃhitā)]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
Comprehensive study of Nasya Dravya mentioned in Bruhatrayi < [Vol. 10 No. 3 (2025)]
Review on Shaka Varga w.s.r. to Bruhatrayee < [Vol. 8 No. 7 (2023)]
Pharmaceutico-Analytical Study and Clinical Evaluation of Tiktadi Ghrita... < [Vol. 10 No. 4 (2025)]