Dutalakshana, Dūtalakṣaṇa, Duta-lakshana: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Dutalakshana 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.
The Sanskrit term Dūtalakṣaṇa can be transliterated into English as Dutalaksana or Dutalakshana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Dūtalakṣaṇa (दूतलक्षण).—The word 'dūta' has a special meaning in Viṣavidyā. If a man is bitten by a snake, the man who goes to the Viṣavaidya to speak to him about it and bring him if necessary is called 'dūta'. From the external signs and symbols of the dūta and from words spoken by him the viṣavaidya understands whether the person bitten by the snake would die or survive. These signs and words of the 'dūta' are called lakṣaṇas. The following are some of the important dūtalakṣaṇas.
The caste of the person bitten by the snake and the caste of the dūta.
The first word uttered by the dūta. If it is the name of the patient, it has a special significance.
If the dūta makes an incomplete sentence, it is a significant lakṣaṇa.
The things carried by the dūta such as stick, rope, knife.
The colour of the clothes worn by the dūta.
The tone in which the dūta speaks. These are the lakṣaṇas from which the doctor knows whether the patient can be cured. (Bhaviṣya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 35, Verses 19, 20).
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Dūtalakṣaṇa (दूतलक्षण) refers to the “features of the messenger” and represents an aspect of Agadatantra—“the ancient Indian science that alleviates the effects of poison”, as taught in the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā, which represents the Ayurvedic study on Toxicology (Agadatantra or Sarpavidyā).—Tradition has it that Brahmā himself expounded the sarpavidyā to sage Kaśyapa [including topics such Dūtalakṣaṇa—features of the messenger].
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Dūtalakṣaṇa (दूतलक्षण) refers to “features of the informer”, and is dealt with in the 20th century Prayogasamuccaya (one of the most popular and widely practised book in toxicology in Malayalam).—The tenth chapter deals with dūtalakṣaṇas (features of the informer). Features of an informer which bring about good prognosis and the vice-versa are detailed. Twelve nakṣatras (asterisms) which are inauspicious in poisoning cases are explained on the basis of lunar calculations. The text gives a description of detection of the type of snake to be deduced form the position of the informer in the physician’s room. If the dūta (informer) utters the snake’s name first, then the death of the patient is almost inevitable. Prognosis was also assessed by counting the words uttered by the informer. The place where the snake bite happened and the sex of snake can also be deduced from informer. The part of body bitten and intensity also can be deduced from the informer’s and physician’s positions.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Dūtalakṣaṇa (दूतलक्षण) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—nīti. Oppert. 5996.
Dūtalakṣaṇa (दूतलक्षण):—[=dūta-lakṣaṇa] [from dūta] n. Name of [work]
Dūtalakṣaṇa (दूतलक्षण):—n. , dūtavākya n. und prabandha m. Titel von Werken [Private libraries (Gustav) 1.]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches (+0): Lakshana, Duta.
Full-text (+0): Duta, Agadatantra.
Relevant text
Search found 5 books and stories containing Dutalakshana, Dūta-lakṣaṇa, Duta-laksana, Duta-lakshana, Dūtalakṣaṇa, Dutalaksana; (plurals include: Dutalakshanas, lakṣaṇas, laksanas, lakshanas, Dūtalakṣaṇas, Dutalaksanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
An Insightful Analysis of Trichological Principles in Ayurveda < [Vol. 9 No. 10 (2024)]
A bird’s eye view on Kesha (hair) in Charaka Samhita < [Vol. 3 No. 03 (2018)]
Snake bite treatment in Prayoga samuccayam < [Volume 35 (issue 4), Apr-Jun 2016]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine
[No title available] < [Volume 14 (issue 5), Sep-Oct 2023]