Cow dung: 4 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
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Introduction:

Cow dung means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Vastushastra (architecture)

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

Cow-dung is traditionally used as fuel for fire in machines that shapes the dough of Clay, in the process of creating Bricks which is an important Material used for the Construction of Walls and Temples, 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.—The procedure of making bricks is very nicely explained in the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa. [...] The dough of the clay should be shaped in a machine which should be one hand in length, half a hand in breadth and one forth hand in height. In that machine the clay should be baked in the fire of wood, cow-dung and grass and thus bricks got prepared. These bricks should be made in proper shape and be arranged skillfully in proper place.

context information

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.

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Cow-dung is denoted by the Sanskrit term Gomaya, according to the Haṭhapradīpikā 3.90.—Accordingly, “Pure ashes, which were produced by burning cow-dung (gomaya), [should first be] placed in water. After having sex in which Vajrolī Mudrā [was performed], the woman and man, who are sitting comfortably and have finished love making, [should] immediately smear their own bodies [with the ashes mixed with water]

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Ayurveda (science of life)

Agriculture (Krishi) and Vrikshayurveda (study of Plant life)

Source: Shodhganga: Drumavichitrikarnam—Plant mutagenesis in ancient India

Cow Dung (denoted by the Sanskrit term Gomaya) is used in certain bio-organical recipes for plant mutagenesis, such as dwarfing a plant, according to the Vṛkṣāyurveda by Sūrapāla (1000 CE): an encyclopedic work dealing with the study of trees and the principles of ancient Indian agriculture.—Accordingly, “A plant which is not too tender should be cut at its stem and then slightly burnt. Thereafter it should be smeared with the mixture of clarified butter, cow dung (gomaya), rock salt, honey and flesh. A nail should then be driven in the root in a slanting manner. The plant then should be watered beautiful branches and without fail produces fruits even in a dwarf state”.

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.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

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

Cow-dung is used for drawing a Maṇḍala while performing a sacred bathing ritual, according to the seventh chapter of the Suvarṇaprabhāsottamasūtra.—In chapter 7, the Sarasvatīparivarta, the goddess Sarasvatī grants her support to the Dharma preacher through the gift of eloquence, and presents a bathing ritual with enchanted herbs for him and his audience in order to appease all disturbances. It is promised that, invoked by praise, Sarasvatī herself will appear and remove all diseases and difficulties. The ritual instructions prescribe that one should pound herbs and consecrate the powder with mantras at the time of the Puṣya constellation. A maṇḍala should be drawn with cow-dung, flowers should be scattered and gold and silver vessels filled. Four armed men and four well-adorned maidens should be placed there holding pots in their hands, thus accomplishing the protective sealing of the boundaries (sīmābandha). One should use incense, music, umbrellas, flags, banners, mirrors, arrows, spears and dhāraṇī-spells, and in due course bathe behind an image of the Buddha.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

Relevant text

Search found 184 books and stories containing Cow dung; (plurals include: Cow dungs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Evaluation of Jayapala beeja (Croton tiglium) Shodhana in various media. < [2019: Volume 8, May issue 6]

Pharmaceutical and analytical study of shankha bhasma < [2023: Volume 12, December issue 21]

Impact of indigenous cow dung on sugarcane immunity and soil nutrients. < [2023: Volume 12, November special issue 20]

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Study on Bhasma Kalpana with special reference to the preparation of Kasisa Bhasma < [Volume 32 (4); 2011 (Oct-Dec)]

Pharmaceutical standardization of Jala Shukti Bhasma and Mukta Shukti Bhasma < [Volume 33 (1); 2012 (Jan-Mar)]

A comparative study on growth pattern of Langali (Gloriosa superba Linn.) under wild and cultivated conditions < [Volume 31 (2); 2010 (Apr-Jun)]

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