Bhallataka, Bhallāṭaka, Bhallātaka: 25 definitions

Introduction:

Bhallataka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Jainism, Prakrit, 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)

[«previous next»] — Bhallataka in Ayurveda glossary

Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)

Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval India

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक) refers to the “marking nut” and represents a type of fruit-bearing plant, according to the Mahābhārata Anuśāsanaparva 53.19 , and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—We can see the description of flowering and fruit bearing plants in Ṛgveda. But we come across the specific names of them only in the later Saṃhita and Brāhmaṇa literature. [...] From the epics, we know that the hermits generally lived on fruits, roots and tubers. Mahābhārata the commonly used fruits are kāsmarya, iṅguda, śṛṅgāṭaka, bhallātaka (marking nut), the fruits of plakṣa (fig tree), aśvattha (pipal tree), vibhītaka (fruit of Terminallia) and pīlu (Salvadora persica).

Bhallātaka or “marking-nut tree” is mentioned as a source of fuel for boiling water (jala), according to the 17th century Bhojanakutūhala (dravyaguṇāguṇa-kathana).—[...]. It is interesting to note that the properties of boiled water based on the fuel used to boil the same are described. The fuels discussed here are [viz., bhallātaka (marking-nut tree)]

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Śodhana: An Ayurvedic process for detoxification

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक) refers to the medicinal plant known Semecarpus anacardium Linn.—The fruit of Bhallātaka is a potent drug for nervous debility, rheumatism, epilepsy, sciatica, asthma, and many more diseases. Pericarp of the fruit contains tarry oil consisting of anacardic acid 90% and cardol 10%. Other isolated chemical constituents are bhilawanols (urushiols), semecarpol, and anacardol.

The Śodhana (detoxification) procedure of Bhallātaka includes soaking the fruits in Gomūtra, Godugdha and rubbing it on brick gravels. After removing the thalamus portions, the fruits are kept either in Gomūtra (for 7 days) or Godugdha (for 7 days), which are finally washed with water. The seeds are then shifted to a bag containing brick gravels (for 3 days), rubbed thoroughly and dried. During the process of Śodhana of Bhāllataka, coconut oil is applied on the exposed body parts of the persons involved in the processing to reduce the chances of dermatitis. Weight loss observed after Śodhana may be due to the reduction of the oil content of the fruits

(cf. Rasataraṅgiṇī, Bhaiṣajyaratnāvalī and Bhāvaprakāśa)

Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)

Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgraha

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक) refers to the medicinal plant known as “Semecarpus anacardium Linn.” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning bhallātaka] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) which is a branch of pharmacology (dravyaguṇa).

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक) is a Sanskrit word referring to the “Marking nut”, a deciduous tree from the Anacardiaceae family., and is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. The official botanical name of the plant is Semecarpus anacardium and is commonly known as the ‘marking nut’, because it was used to mark cloth before washing by the washermen. The nut has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for Rasayana purposes.

Source: Google Books: Essentials of Ayurveda

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक).—The Sanskrit name for an important Ayurvedic drug.—Bhallātaka is trongly irritant and vesicant. It is very hot and eliminates kuṣṭha (leprosy and other skin diseases), abnormal growths and piles.

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Vaidyavallabha: An Authoritative Work on Ayurveda Therapeutics

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक) refers to Semicarpus anacardium (a medicinal plants which requires treatment for its toxic effects), and is dealt with in the 17th-century Vaidyavallabha written by Hastiruci.—The Vaidyavallabha is a work which deals with the treatment and useful for all 8 branches of Ayurveda. The text Vaidyavallabha has been designed based on the need (viz., bhallātaka) of the period of the author, availability of drugs during that time, disease manifesting in that era, socio-economical-cultural-familial-spiritual-aspects of that period Vaidyavallabha.

Bhallātaka (Semecarpus anacardium) is mentioned as the main drug for the disease arśas (Haemorrhoids) in chapter 5.

Ayurveda book cover
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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.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Bhallataka in Shaktism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक) is the name of a tree found in maṇidvīpa (Śakti’s abode), according to the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa 12.10. Accordingly, these trees always bear flowers, fruits and new leaves, and the sweet fragrance of their scent is spread across all the quarters in this place. The trees (e.g. Bhallātaka) attract bees and birds of various species and rivers are seen flowing through their forests carrying many juicy liquids. Maṇidvīpa is defined as the home of Devī, built according to her will. It is compared with Sarvaloka, as it is superior to all other lokas.

The Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa, or Śrīmad-devī-bhāgavatam, is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, a type of Sanskrit literature containing cultural information on ancient India, religious/spiritual prescriptions and a range of topics concerning the various arts and sciences. The whole text is composed of 18,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 6th century.

Shaktism book cover
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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.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Bhallataka in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक) refers to a type of oil 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, Bhallātaka is entioned in connection with the worship of the horses (verse 781). Caraka and Suśruta mention it in Phalavarga. Suśruta describes its leaves as Śāka and refers to its oil. Its medicinal value is also recognized.

Purana book cover
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.

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Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (architecture)

Bhallāṭaka (भल्लाटक) (or Bhallāṭa) refers to one of the deities to be installed in the ground plan for the construction of houses, according to the Bṛhatkālottara, chapter 112 (the vāstuyāga-paṭala).—The plan for the construction is always in the form of a square. That square is divided into a grid of cells (padas). [...] Once these padas have been laid out, deities [e.g., Bhallāṭaka] are installed in them. In the most common pattern 45 deities are installed.

Bhallāṭaka as a doorway deity is associated with the Nakṣatra called Abhijit and the consequence is dhana. [...] The Mayasaṃgraha (verse 5.156-187) describes a design for a 9-by-9-part pura, a residential complex for a community and its lead figure. [...] This record lists a place for flowers at Nāga, Mukhya and Bhalvāṭa (ahitraye).

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक) is used as an ingredient of a mixture of Vajralepa (“a special kind of hard cement”) which was used in the construction of a Temple and as a binding agent for joining bricks, according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy. In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, five procedures of preparing the vajralepa are suggested. [The first method]—It is incorporated there that the equal portion of some particular objects should be boiled in water for eight times till it reduces to one eighth portion of the original value. After that, some more ingredients [e.g., bhallātaka] are added with the mixture and again boiled properly to make the first variety of vajralepa.

Vastushastra book cover
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Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) 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.

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General definition (in Hinduism)

[«previous next»] — Bhallataka in Hinduism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Hinduism

Bhallātaka is a plant used in Ayurveda medicine commonly known as Semecarpus anacardium.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: BDK Tripiṭaka: The Susiddhikara-sūtra

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक) refers to a type of tree mentioned in Chapter 12 (“offering food”) of the Susiddhikara-sūtra. Accordingly, “when you wish to offer food, first cleanse the ground, sprinkle scented water all around, spread out on the ground leaves that have been washed clean, such as lotus leaves, palāśa (dhak) leaves, and leaves from lactescent trees, or new cotton cloth, and then set down the oblatory dishes. Make use of these [aforementioned] leaves [...] from the bhallātaka tree, leaves from the arka (mudar) tree, leaves from the ‘bitter tree,’ or [leaves] that you happen to obtain at the time for the ābhicāruka [rite]”.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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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 (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

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Biology (plants and animals)

[«previous next»] — Bhallataka in Biology glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and Drugs

Bhallataka [भल्लातक] in the Marathi language is the name of a plant identified with Semecarpus anacardium from the Anacardiaceae (Cashew) family having the following synonyms: Anacardium orientale. For the possible medicinal usage of bhallataka, 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.

Bhallataka [ভল্লাতক] in the Bengali language, ibid. previous identification.

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

1) Bhallataka in India is the name of a plant defined with Holigarna arnottiana in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices.

2) Bhallataka is also identified with Semecarpus anacardium It has the synonym Semecarpus anacardium Blume (etc.).

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

· Vascul. Pharmacol. (2007)
· Journal of Non-timber Forest Products (2004)
· Global Ecology and Biogeography Letters (1994)
· Chem. Biol. Interact. (2006)
· Flora de Filipinas (1837)
· Chem. Biol. Interact. (2007)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Bhallataka, for example health benefits, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, chemical composition, side effects, extract dosage, have a look at these references.

Biology book cover
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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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Bhallataka in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

bhallātaka : (m.) the marking-nut tree.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Bhallāṭaka, (cp. Epic Sk. bhallātaka) the marking nut plant Semicarpus anacardium J. VI, 578. (Page 499)

Pali book cover
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Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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Marathi-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Bhallataka in Marathi glossary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

bhallātaka (भल्लातक).—m n S The marking-nut-plant, Semecarpus anacardium.

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.

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Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Bhallataka in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक).—The marking-nut-plant. (Mar. bibbā); भल्लातकं फलं पक्वं स्वादुपाकरसं लघु । कषायं पाचनं स्निग्धं तीक्ष्णोष्णं छेदि भेदनम् । मेध्यं वह्निकरं हन्ति कफवातव्रणोदरम् (bhallātakaṃ phalaṃ pakvaṃ svādupākarasaṃ laghu | kaṣāyaṃ pācanaṃ snigdhaṃ tīkṣṇoṣṇaṃ chedi bhedanam | medhyaṃ vahnikaraṃ hanti kaphavātavraṇodaram) Bhāva. P.; Bhāgavata 8.2.14; (also n.).

Derivable forms: bhallātakaḥ (भल्लातकः).

See also (synonyms): bhallāta.

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

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक).—mfn.

(-kaḥ-kī-kaṃ) The marking-nut plant, (Semicarpus anacardium.) E. bhalla an arrow, at to resemble, aff. ghañ with kan added; wounding like a weapon; also bhallāta, bhallī, &c.

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

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक).—bhallätaka (cf. bhalla), m., and f. , The marking nut plant, [Lassen, Anthologia Sanskritica.] 52, 15.

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

1) Bhallātaka (भल्लातक):—[from bhall] m. idem, [Bhāvaprakāśa] (also f., [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.])

2) [v.s. ...] n. the Acajou or cashew-nut, the marking-nut (from which is extracted an acid juice used for medicinal purposes, and a black liquid used for marking linen), [Mahābhārata; Suśruta; Purāṇa]

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

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक):—[(kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) a. Idem.]

[Sanskrit to German]

Bhallataka 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.

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Prakrit-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Bhallataka in Prakrit glossary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary

Bhallātaka (भल्लातक) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Bhallāta.

Bhallātaka has the following synonyms: Bhallaaya, Bhallāya.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Bhallataka in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Bhallātaka (ಭಲ್ಲಾತಕ):—

1) [noun] the small-sized, evergreen tree Anacardium orientle ( = Semecarpus anacardium) (Aof Anacardiaceae family; cashew tree.

2) [noun] its edible fruit.

3) [noun] its edible nut; cashew nut.

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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