Ficus religiosa: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Ficus religiosa means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, biology. 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
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Ficus religiosa (in Sanskrit: Aśvattha) represents one of the four types of Kṣīravṛkṣa (“milk-tree”), according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—[Cf. verse 6.9-15ab]—The mṛtyuvañcana rite begins with a preparatory fire oblation. It consists of standard ritual offerings such as honey, milk, and ghee. The fire is fueled by the wood of milk trees (kṣīravṛkṣa). Milk trees come in four types [e.g., Aśvattha (Ficus religiosa), ...]. All have white sap. They are used in rites of pacification and prosperity.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
The plant Ficus religiosa is known in Sanskrit as Aśvattha, and are given to domesticated elephants (as part of routine care-taking), according to the 15th century Matangalila composed by Nilakantha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 11, “On the keeping of elephants and their daily and seasonal regimen”]: “9. (One shall feed them) stalks and bulbs of lotuses and (other) water lilies, [...] [Ficus religiosa—aśvattha] [...] always to be given to elephants, King of Aṅga, to ease their distress; also other sweet delicacies which they love”.
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.
India history and geography
Ficus religiosa (Bodhi) is often represented as a “sacred tree” in ancient India.—Trees and Groves were worshiped for their auspiciousness and the numerous benefits derived from them in the form of food, fodder, medicine and firewood.—The shrines of the guardian deities are commonly situated at the entrance of a village. At the core of a shrine there is usually a sacred tree, most often an indigenous species such as a Bodhi (Ficus religiosa), a Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), or a Neem (Azadirachta indica). If the village guardian is male, an image made of stone or clay resides under the tree, sheltered by stone walls and a roof.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, 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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Ficus religiosa L. is the name of a plant defined in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in modern medicine, Ayurveda, and other local traditions or folk medicine. It has the following synonyms: Ficus caudata Stokes, Ficus caudata Wall., Ficus caudata Wall. & Miq., Ficus caudata Griff., Ficus caudata Stokes, Ficus peepul Griffith, Ficus superstitiosa Link, Urostigma religiosum Gasp., Urostigma religiosum (Linnaeus) Gasparrini.
References regarding Ficus religiosa L. for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity:
· Species Plantarum
· Bot. Mat. Med. (1812)
· Enum. Hort. Berol. Alt. (1822)
· Numer. List (4493)
· Ric. Caprifico (1845)
· London Journal of Botany (1848)
· Not. Pl. Asiat. (1854)
· FBI (1888)
· Plant Systematics and Evolution (1987)
· Ethnobotany (2004)
This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text (+229): Ashvattha, Pippala, Kapitana, Mahadruma, Kunjarashana, Caladala, Plihari, Keshavalaya, Yakshodumbaraka, Nagabandhu, Gajabhakshaka, Bodhi, Dhanurvriksha, Pimpala, Pavitraka, Plaksha, Karibha, Kshiradruma, Caityadru, Guhyapushpa.
Relevant text
Search found 69 books and stories containing Ficus religiosa; (plurals include: Ficus religiosas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
An overview of the religious and medicinal tree- ficus religiosa < [2023: Volume 12, June special issue 10]
Osteogenic potential of Ficus religiosa bark in ovariectomized rats < [2023: Volume 12, February issue 3]
Ethanolic extract of Ficus religiosa leaves shows antiarthritic effects. < [2018: Volume 7, January special issue 2]
Anti-inflammatory and mast cell protective effect of ficus religiosa < [Volume 10 (issue 2), Oct-Dec 1990]
Plant conservation in temple yards of orissa < [Volume 17 (issue 2), Oct-Dec 1997]
Plants of ramayana < [Volume 7 (issue 2), Oct-Dec 1987]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
Randomized clinical trial of ficus religiosa on blood sugar level in type ii diabetes mellitus - a pilot study < [2014, Issue VI Nov-Dec]
Role of medicinal plant in controlling environmental (air) pollution < [2013, Issue 5 Sep-Oct]
Formulation, anti bacterial activity and wound healing property of panchavalkaladi ointment < [2013, Issue 4 Jul-Aug]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
Use of Pipal tree (Ficus religiosa) extract in Lumbar Disc Lesion - Induced... < [Vol. 9 No. 5 (2024)]
Efficacy of Panchavalkal Kwatha Dhawana followed by Panchavalkal Ghruta... < [Vol. 4 No. 04 (2019)]
Applied aspects and critical analysis of Grahi and Stambhana Karma < [Vol. 10 No. 2 (2025)]
Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine
HPTLC Fingerprint of an ayurvedic combination- Panchavalkala < [Volume 8, Issue 4: October–December (2022)]
Clinical evaluation of Ashvattha (Ficus religiosa linn.) in Mukhapaka with... < [Volume 1, Issue 3: November–December (2015)]
Anatomical atlas of Panchavalkala – effective healing five bark drugs... < [Volume 4, Issue 1: January–March (2018)]
Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine
Antimicrobial activity of six ayurveda herbs used for wound wrapping explained by charaka w.s.r. to vrana chikitsa - a review < [Volume 4, issue 3 (2016)]
Review of Bhavaprakashokta Vatadi Varga and their role in Reproductive System < [Volume 12, issue 1 (2024)]
In vitro pancreatic lipase inhibition potential of Panchavalkala Aqueous and Ethanolic bark extracts. < [Volume 10, issue 6 (2022)]
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