Citraka; 11 Definition(s)

Introduction

Citraka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, 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.

Alternative spellings of this word include Chitraka.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Citraka (चित्रक) is a Sanskrit word referring to Plumbago zeylanica (Ceylon leadwort), a plant species in the Plumbaginaceae family. Certain plant parts of Citraka are eaten as a vegetable (śāka), according to Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Āyurvedic work. The plant is therefore part of the Śākavarga group of medicinal plants, referring to the “group of vegetables/pot-herbs”. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic value of the plant. Other commonly used English names include “doctorbush”. It grows throughout India. The literal translation of citraka is “painter”. It is also known as Dahana.

This plant (Citraka) is also mentioned as a medicine used for the treatment of all major fevers (jvara), as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) which forms the first chapter of the Sanskrit work called Mādhavacikitsā. In this work, the plant is also known by the name Vahni.

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.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Citraka (चित्रक) is the Sanskrit name of one of Bharata’s sons, mentioned in the Nāṭyaśāstra 1.26-33. After Brahmā created the Nāṭyaveda (nāṭyaśāstra), he ordered Bharata to teach the science to his (one hundred) sons. Bharata thus learned the Nāṭyaveda from Brahmā, and then made his sons study and learn its proper application. After their study, Bharata assigned his sons (eg., Citraka) various roles suitable to them.

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing dramatic plays (nataka) and poetic works (kavya).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Citraka (चित्रक).—(CITRA, CITRABĀI.A). A son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. Bhīma killed him in the great war. (Mahābhārata Droṇa Parva, Chapter 137).

Citraka (चित्रक).—A son of Vṛṣṇi; (Pṛṣṇi, Vāyu-purāṇa); father of a number of sons and daughters; brother of Svaphalka.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 71. 102, 114; Vāyu-purāṇa 96. 101, 113-14; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 14. 5-6, 11.

Citraka (चित्रक) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. II.46.21) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Citraka) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

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.

India history and geogprahy

Citraka.—(IA 8), ‘a painter’; epithet of the engraver of an inscription. Note: citraka is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as 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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

citraka (चित्रक).—m (S) Ceylon leadwort, Plumbago Zeylanica. 2 A leopard. See cittā.

citraka (चित्रक).—m A leopard.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Citraka (चित्रक).—a.

1) Bright, lovely, agreeable.

2) Brave, powerful.

-kaḥ 1 A painter.

2) A tiger in general.

3) A small hunting leopard; खरोष्ट्रमहिषाः सिंहा व्याघ्राः सृमरचित्रकाः (kharoṣṭramahiṣāḥ siṃhā vyāghrāḥ sṛmaracitrakāḥ) Mb.7.3.19.

4) Name of a tree.

-kam 1 A sectarial mark on the forehead. (tanute) कस्तूरिकाचित्रक- मङ्कशङ्काम् (kastūrikācitraka- maṅkaśaṅkām) Rām. Ch.6.69.

2) A particular manner of fighting.

3) Name of a wood near the mountain Raivataka.

Citraka (चित्रक).—m.

(-kaḥ) 1. The Chita or small hunting leopard. 2. A painter. 3. The castor oil plant. 4. A medical plant, (Plumbago zeylanica.) n.

(-kaṃ) 1. A mark made with Sandal, &c. on the forehead. E. kan added to the preceding. citramiva kāyati kai-ka; citra-svārthe ka vā .

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