Bhringaraja, aka: Bhṛṅgarāja, Bhringa-raja; 10 Definition(s)

Introduction

Bhringaraja means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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 Bhṛṅgarāja can be transliterated into English as Bhrngaraja or Bhringaraja, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Bhṛṅgarāja (भृङ्गराज).—A bird;¹ a god to be worshipped before building houses and palaces.²

• 1) Vāyu-purāṇa 36. 2.
• 2) Matsya-purāṇa 219. 19; 253. 25; 268. 14.

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)

1) Bhṛṅgarāja (भृङ्गराज) is a Sanskrit word referring to “false daisy”, a species of plant from the Asteraceae (sunflower) family of flowering plants. It can also be spelled as Bhṛṅgaraja (भृङ्गरज), and in the Hindi language it is known as Bhāṅgrā or Bhāṅgarā. It is used throughout Āyurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā and the Suśruta-saṃhitā. The official botanical name is Eclipta alba (synonym: Eclipta prostrata) but it is commonly referred to in English as the “Trailing eclipta”. The literal translation of Bhṛṅgarāja is “bee-king”. It is composed of the words Bhṛṅga (“bee”) and Rāja (“king”).

According to the Mādhavacikitsā (7^th century Āyurvedic work), the plant (Bhṛṅgarāja) is mentioned as a medicine used for the treatment of all major fevers, as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) chapter.

2) Bhṛṅgarāja (भृङ्गराज) is a Sanskrit word referring to the “king bird of Paradisc”. The meat of this animal is part of the māṃsavarga (‘group of flesh’), which is used throughout Āyurvedic literature. The animal Bhṛṅgarāja is part of the sub-group named Pratuda, refering to animals “who eat while striking”. It was classified by Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Āyurvedic work. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic properties of the substance.

Bhṛṅgarāja (भृङ्गराज)—Sanskrit word for a bird corresponding to “racket-tailed drongo” (Dicrurus sp.). This animal is from the group called Pratuda (which peck). Pratuda itself is a sub-group of the group of animals known as Jāṅghala (living in high ground and in a jungle).

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Bhṛṅgarāja (भृङ्गराज) refers to one of the 53 gods to be worshipped in the southern quarter and given pāyasa (rice boiled in milk) according to the Vāstuyāga rite in Śaktism (cf. Śāradātilaka-tantra III-V). The worship of these 53 gods happens after assigning them to one of the 64 compartment while constructing a Balimaṇḍapa. Vāstu is the name of a prodigious demon, who was killed by 53 gods (eg., Bhṛṅgarāja).

context information

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Bhṛṅgarāja is a herb used in Ayurvedic medicine commonly known as Eclipta alba.

Bhṛṅgarāja (भृङ्गराज).—The root of Bhringarāja (Eclipta prostrata) and ashes of cowdung are made into a paste with water, over which the Chāmundā mantra is recited one hundred and eight times; if a mark is put on the forehead with this paste, then everybody is subdued.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

bhṛṅgarāja (भृंगराज).—m (S) pop. bhṛṅgirāja m A shrub, Verbesina prostrata. Rox. Eclipta prostrata. Linn. 2 A bird, Lanius malabaricus.

bhṛṅgarāja (भृंगराज).—m The humble bee.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Bhṛṅgarāja (भृङ्गराज).—

1) see भृङ्गराज् (bhṛṅgarāj).

2) Name of a bird; शुकशारिका भृङ्गराजो वा सर्पविषशङ्कायां क्रोशति (śukaśārikā bhṛṅgarājo vā sarpaviṣaśaṅkāyāṃ krośati) Kau. A.1.2.17; Mb.12.327.4.

Derivable forms: bhṛṅgarājaḥ (भृङ्गराजः).

Bhṛṅgarāja is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms bhṛṅga and rāja (राज).

Bhṛṅgarāja (भृङ्गराज).—m.

(-jaḥ) 1. A spreading shrub, (Eclipta or Verbesina prostrata, or perhaps more properly, Verbesina scandens.) 2. A sort of bird, apparently the variety of shrike termed Malabar, (Lanius malabaricus.) 3. The humble bee. 4. A particular sacrifice. E. bhṛṅga a bee, and rāj to shine, aff. ac; or with rajas dust, bhṛṅgarajas and with rājan shining, ruling, bhṛṅgharājan m. (-jā.)

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