Durva, aka: Dūrvā, Dūrva; 7 Definition(s)

Introduction

Durva 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.

In Hinduism

Rasashastra (chemistry and alchemy)

Dūrvā (दूर्वा):—One of the sixty-seven Mahauṣadhi, as per Rasaśāstra texts (rasa literature). These drugs are useful for processing mercury (rasa), such as the alchemical processes known as sūta-bandhana and māraṇa.

context information

Rasashastra (रसशास्त्र, rasaśāstra) is an important branch of Ayurveda, specialising in chemical interactions with herbs, metals and minerals. Some texts combine yogic and tantric practices with various alchemical operations. The ultimate goal of Rasashastra is not only to preserve and prolong life, but also to bestow wealth upon humankind.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Dūrvā (दूर्वा) is another name (synonym) for Śaṭī, which is a Sanskrit name for the plant Hedychium spicatum (spiked ginger lily). This synonym was identified by Narahari in his 13th-century Rājanighaṇṭu (verses 6.226-227), which is an Āyurvedic medicinal thesaurus.

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

1a) Dūrva (दूर्व).—A plant sacred to Hari;¹ from this Dūrvañjanam, being an auspicious thing to be looked at in the morning.²

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 3. 6.
• 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 28. 10.

1b) A son of Nṛpañjaya: his son Timi.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 22. 42.

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Dūrvā (दूर्वा) a species of grass (Panicum dactylon), is mentioned frequently from the Rigveda1 onwards. It grew in damp ground. A simile occurring in the Rigveda seems to indicate that the ears lay horizontal with the stem. Cf. Pākadūrvā.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

durvā (दुर्वा).—Properly dūrvā, dūrvāvrata, dūrvāṣṭamī.

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dūrvā (दूर्वा).—f pl (S) Bent grass, commonly Doob, Agrostis linearis.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Dūrvā (दूर्वा).—Bent grass, panic grass (considered as a sacred article of worship and offered to deities &c.).

Dūrvā (दूर्वा).—f.

(-rvā) Bent grass, commonly Durba, (Panicum dactylon.) E. dūrva to hurt or be hurt, affix ac or ghañ; fem. affix ṭāp what hurts sin, or is injured by cattle. dūrvati rogān aniṣṭaṃ vā .

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