Curd: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Curd means something in 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.

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In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)

Source: Asian Agri-History: Paśu Āyurvēda (Veterinary Medicine) in Garuḍapurāṇa

Curd (in Sanskrit: dadhi) is used in the Viśodhana (“washing off the wound’s impurities”) of wounds (vraṇa), according to Āyurveda sections in the Garuḍapurāṇa.—[...] After Viśodhana (wash off the ulcer's/wound's impurities by medicated decoction), the following formulations can be used for śodhana (purification) and ropaṇa (healing) externally:—[... e.g.,] The tila (gingelly), saktukapiṇḍikā (fried grain flour), saindhava (rock salt) and nimbapatra (neem leaves) are ground well with dadhi (curds). [...]

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

Source: Shodhganga: Drumavichitrikarnam—Plant mutagenesis in ancient India

Curd (denoted by the Sanskrit term Dadhi) is used in certain bio-organical recipes for plant mutagenesis, such as changing a plant into a creeper, 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 seed of any variety freely rubbed with the bark of Mangifera indica creeper, Jasminum grandiflorum, Woodfordia fruticosa and Hiptage benghalensis mixed with the milk of a she-goat and then sown in a pit, filled with soil dug up from around the roots of trees belonging to different species and thereafter sufficiently sprinkled with the powder of sesame and barley and (the seed so sown) watered with curd (dadhi) and milk grows into the respective creeper”.

Ayurveda book cover
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.

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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Curd (for a curd-bath) 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., curd for a curd-bath] [...]. 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 book cover
context information

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.

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