Camphor: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Camphor means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, 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.
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In Hinduism
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Camphor (mixed with sandal-paste) is typically offered to the icon of the Lord as part of “liturgical worship”, as discussed in chapter 6 of the Sattvata-Samhita: one of the most ancient of Pancaratra Agamas consisting of roughly 3500 verses which stresses the theological standpoint of the oneness of God despite his various vyuhas (modes of existence), vibhavas (manifestations) and avataras (incarnations).—Description of the chapter [sūkṣamavyūha-devatā-bahiryāga-vidhi]: The details of how the liturgy step-by-step is prepared for and how it proceeds are given (7-131). [...] A special bathing cloth is advanced (29b), and then various items are given in order (verbally?) to the icon—[e.g., sandal-paste mixed with camphor] [...]. During these baths incense will have been offered, after which incense-scented and -purified towels are offered to cleanse off the deity’s body-one for the head and one for the body. [...]
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Camphor (used for offering to a deity) can be denoted in Sanskrit as Karpūra, according to the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, [while discussing the Hagiography of Siddha Bauddhadeva]: “[...] The girl came there at midnight on the eighth lunar night. She prostrated before him and served him. [...] (She offered) many kinds of divine gems and many (other) things, including vermilion, sandalwood, camphor (karpūra) and musk. The girl offered everything to the God of the gods with devotion”.
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.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Camphor refers to one of the objects to be deposited at the building-plot presided over by (1) Pūṣan or (2) Vitatha, as discussed in the thesis entitled “concept of ritual deposit of Khmer temples in northeastern Thailand from 10th-13th century A.D.” by Naiyana Munparn.—(Also see: Acharya, Architecture of Mānasāra, 111).—Note: Camphor is denoted in the Thai language as การบูร (karabun).
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.
India history and geography
Camphor is the name of an ingredient used in odoriferous recipes, as described in the Ain-i-Akbari (Gladwin’s Trans. Vol. I).—Of this book, pages 65-75 which are devoted to the “Regulations of the Perfume Office of Akbar”. For the history of Indian cosmetics and perfumery the account of the royal perfumery given in the Ain-i-Akbari is of excertional value. Pages 66-68 describe certain odoriferous compositons. On page 68 Abul Fazl deals with “Natural Perfumes”; for example—Camphor (obtained from a large tree found in the maritime mountains of Hindustan and China; collected from trunk and branches).
Camphor sticks were filled in boxes, as part of the tasks performed to beautify the Sleeping chamber (of young ladies) in Ancient India, as depicted in the Kathās (narrative poems) such as Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—The Kuvalayamala (779 A.D.) is full of cultural material which gains in value because of the firm date of its composition. [...] Page 83.3-9: Here is the description of the house or the sleeping chambers of young ladies which were beautified for the reception of their husbands. The select items in this list are as follows: [e.g., filling camphor sticks in boxes (kappūra-phaḍā-samuggae);] [...]
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Biology (plants and animals)
Camphor in English is the name of a plant defined with Cinnamomum camphora in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Cinnamomum taquetii H. Lév. (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis (1864)
· Species Plantarum (1753)
· Deutsche Flora. Pharmaceutisch-medicinische Botanik (1881)
· Feddes Repertorium (1912)
· Systema Vegetabilium (1825)
· Journal of the College of Science, Imperial University of Tokyo (1906)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Camphor, for example pregnancy safety, health benefits, diet and recipes, chemical composition, extract dosage, side effects, 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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+0): Camphor bush, Camphor bush tree, Camphor bush wood, Camphor ginger, Camphor laurel, Camphor plant, Camphor tree, Camphor wood, Camphor-pisa, Camphor-scented pelargonium.
Full-text (+675): Karpura, Ghanasara, Himamshu, Yakshakardama, Rasakesara, Karpuranalika, Vitu, Candrasamjna, Karpurataila, Shubhramshu, Shitamayukha, Shitakara, Himakara, Sitabhra, Veraka, Dhavala, Shvetadhaman, Hima, Ghanarasa, Kapura.
Relevant text
Search found 210 books and stories containing Camphor; (plurals include: Camphors). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints (by Justin E. Abbott)
Appendix 3 - Words with numerical significance used in the Bhaktavijaya
46.17: Eknath and his Guru Janardan < [Chapter 46 - Shri Khandya the Brahman]
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Formulation and evaluation of camphor aloe soap < [2023: Volume 12, March issue 4]
A review on natural floor cleaner and insect repellant < [2018: Volume 7, May conference issue 9]
Orodispersible tablet development of diclofenac sodium by sublimation. < [2016: Volume 5, February issue 2]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
Extraction of essential oil: camphor oil < [2024, Issue 10. October]
To evaluate the efficacy of the yajna karma to control/arrest the airborne microbes < [2022, Issue 12 December]
Critical analysis of principles of diet and dietetics of ayurve-da < [2024, Issue 03. March]
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)
Predictive Modeling of Suitable Habitats for Cinnamomum Camphora (L.) Presl... < [Volume 16, Issue 17 (2019)]
Recent Advances on Endocrine Disrupting Effects of UV Filters < [Volume 13, Issue 8 (2016)]
Phytotoxicity of Chemical Compounds from Cinnamomum camphora Pruning Waste in... < [Volume 19, Issue 18 (2022)]
Resilience Assessment of Lowland Plantations Using an Ecosystem Modeling... < [Volume 7, Issue 4, April (2015)]
Sustainability Benefit Evaluation and Optimization of Rural Public Spaces... < [Volume 17, Issue 3 (2025)]
Hydrogeography-Based Fabric Assessment of Heritage Warehouses < [Volume 15, Issue 2 (2023)]
Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics
Formulation and evaluation of naproxen sodium orodispersible tablets – A... < [Vol. 4 No. 1: Jan-Mar (2010)]
Novel Application of Solubilizing Properties of Solids (Mixed Solvency... < [Vol. 16 No. 4 (2022)]
Mixed solvency concept in reducing surfactant concentration of... < [Vol. 7 No. 2: Apr-June (2013)]