Gairika: 20 definitions
Introduction:
Gairika means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Hindi. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Gairik.
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
1) Gairika (गैरिक) is a Sanskrit technical term corresponding to “Red Ochre”. It is commonly used in Rasaśāstra literature (Medicinal Alchemy) such as the Rasaprakāśasudhākara or the Rasaratna-samuccaya. Gairika is an ingredient often used in various Ayurvedic recipes and Alchemical preparations.
2) Gairika (गैरिक, “hematite, red ochre”):—One of the eight uparasa (‘secondary minerals’), a group of eight minerals, according to the Rasaprakāśasudhākara: a 13th century Sanskrit book on Indian alchemy, or, Rasaśāstra. Ochre is a natural earth pigment that is colored by varying amounts of hematite
There are two known varieties of Gairika (“hematite”):
- Pāsāṇagairika (copper color),
- Svarṇagairika (deep red color)
Gairika refers to “red ochre”. (see Bhudeb Mookerji and his Rasajalanidhi)
Gairika (hematite / red ochre).—There are two varieties of Gairika:
- Pāsāṇagairika,
- Svarṇagairika.
Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)
Gairika (गैरिक) refers to the “metallic products” of the mountains (śaila) according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). The Dharaṇyādi-varga covers the lands, soil, mountains [viz., Gairika], jungles and vegetation’s relations between trees and plants and substances, with their various kinds.
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Gairikā (गैरिका) refers to “red chalk (or ochre)” and is used in the treatment of snake-bites such as those caused by the Kuṭila-snakes, according to the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—Accordingly, the treatment is mentioned as follows: “A paste made out of Red chalk or Ochre (gairikā), (famed for its cooling properties) one measure of the powder of the bark of Śleṣmātaka and Śiriṣa must be used as lepa or ointment. An effusion of the roots of (Suparṇa or Sugandha) and Vega combined with ghee and milk must be given as a drink”.
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Gairika (गैरिक) refers to “red chalk” (used in the treatment of elephants suffering form a constant flow of urine), according to the 15th century Mātaṅgalīlā composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 11, “44. From constant flow of urine the penis of the elephant in must is irritated. (The treatment is) constant bathing with a pala (a very small measure) of (solution of) red chalk (gairika), mixed with butter [gairikasya palenāsya sadā sājyena secanam]”.
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Gairika (गैरिक) refers to a “gold ore”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 5), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If there should be both lunar and solar eclipses in one month, princes will suffer both from dissensions among their own army and from wars. [...] If the eclipsed disc should appear yellow resembling the topaz in colour, the Vaiśyas will perish and there will be prosperity in the land. If the disc should appear to be burning, there will be fear from fire; if it should resemble gold ore [i.e., gairika-rūpa], there will be wars in the land. If the disc should appear black resembling the colour of the stem of dūrvā grass (Agrostis linearis) or yellow, there will be much death in the land. If of the colour of the flower pāṭali (Bignonia Suaveolenis) ‘trumpet flower’ there will be fear from lightning”.
Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Gairika (गैरिक) refers to “red chalk”, according to the Svacchanda-tantra.—Accordingly, [verse 4.8-13, while describing auspicious dreams]—“[...] [It is auspicious when one dreams of] a pill, wood for cleaning the teeth, yellow pigment on a sword or sandal, sacred thread, ointment, nectar, mercury, medicinal herbs, śakti, a water jar, lotus, rosary, red arsenic or blazing objects of siddhas, which have red chalk as their ends (gairika-anta). [...]”
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.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Gairikā (गैरिका) or “hematite” refers to one of the ingredients of the Aṣṭabandha type of Mortar (used for fixing together the Liṅga to its Pedestal), as discussed in the Ajitāgama and Rauravāgama.—(Original source: Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens).—The aṣṭabandha or “mortar with eight ingredients” is well known but its method of preparation and the nature of the eight components sometimes vary slightly from one text to another. The ingredients of aṣṭabandha are as follows according to the Ajita-āgama (18.216-218): shellac, hematite (gairikā), beeswax, sarja resin, agalloch / agarwood resin, molasses, sesame oil and limestone powder; these different products must be mixed and cooked so as to obtain a fluid substance to which an equal quantity of sarja resin , limestone powder and lime as well as buffalo butter will then be added.
Gairika (गैरिक) is the name of an object which is to be deposited at the building-plot presided over by Śoṣa, as discussed in the thesis entitled “concept of ritual deposit of Khmer temples in northeastern Thailand from 10th-13th century A.D.” by Naiyana Munparn.—(Also see: Acharya, Architecture of Mānasāra, 111).—Note: Gairika is denoted in the Thai language as ดินสอชอล์ค (dinsochok).
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Gairika (गैरिक).—a. (-kī f.) [गिरौ भवः ठञ् (girau bhavaḥ ṭhañ)] Mountain-born.
-kaḥ, -kam Red chalk; संसर्पिभिः पयसि गैरिकरेणुरागैः (saṃsarpibhiḥ payasi gairikareṇurāgaiḥ) Śiśupālavadha 5. 39.
-kam Gold.
Gairika (गैरिक).—mfn.
(-kaḥ-kī-kaṃ) Mountain, mountain-born or produced n.
(-kaṃ) 1. Red chalk, or as sometimes applied, red orpiment. 2. Gold. E. giri a mountain, affix ṭhak.
Gairika (गैरिक).—i. e. giri + ika, n. Red chalk, [Rāmāyaṇa] 5, 83, 12.
Gairika (गैरिक).—[neuter] (ā [feminine]) red chalk.
1) Gairika (गैरिक):—[from gaira] mfn. = ra, [Horace H. Wilson]
2) [v.s. ...] n. gold, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) [v.s. ...] red chalk (sometimes used as a red ornament), [Mahābhārata vii, ix, xiv; Rāmāyaṇa; Suśruta; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]
4) [v.s. ...] m. [plural] a class of ascetics, [Śīlāṅka] (in Prākṛt geruya)
5) Gairikā (गैरिका):—[from gairika > gaira] f. red chalk, [Suśruta iv, 25, 36.]
Gairika (गैरिक):—(kaṃ) 1. n. Red chalk.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
Hindi dictionary
Gairika (गैरिक) [Also spelled gairik]:—(a) ochrous, russet, of the colour of red ochre.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Gairika (ಗೈರಿಕ):—[adjective] mountain-born.
--- OR ---
Gairika (ಗೈರಿಕ):—
1) [noun] 'an earthy clay coloured by iron oxide, usu. yellow or reddish brown: used as a pigment in paints; ochre.'2) [noun] the color of ochre; esp., reddish yellow.
3) [noun] gold.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Gairikabha, Gairikacala, Gairikacurna, Gairikadhatu, Gairikadhatumant, Gairikagulika, Gairikakhya, Gairikaksha, Gairikamvula, Gairikanjana, Gairikanta, Gairikapratikasha.
Full-text (+25): Svarnagairika, Suvarnagairika, Kancanagairika, Gairikadhatu, Kanakagairika, Raktagairika, Pasanagairika, Girigairikadhatu, Gairikaksha, Uparasa, Gaireya, Hemagairika, Gairikagulika, Gairike, Gairikacurna, Kayirikam, Gairikapratikasha, Gairikodakapandu, Gairikacala, Keyikam.
Relevant text
Search found 43 books and stories containing Gairika, Gairikā; (plurals include: Gairikas, Gairikās). 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
A bird eye view on gairikam in ayurved classic < [2020: Volume 9, October issue 12]
Pharmaceutical study of gairikadya malahara < [2023: Volume 12, November special issue 20]
Pharmaceutical standardization of madhwadi lepa < [2023: Volume 12, December issue 21]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
Swedana karma – an exploration to the various types of kizhis in practice < [2022, Issue 07 July]
Pharmaceutical standardization of ‘switrahara churna’ an herbo-mineral topical formulation < [2022, Issue 1, January]
Review the article on gairik < [2023, Issue 07, July]
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 6.2 < [Chapter 6 - Third-rate Poetry and Super-excellent Poetry]
Acaranga-sutra (by Hermann Jacobi)
Lecture 2, Lesson 2 < [Book 2]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter CC - Various other medicinal Recipes (continued) < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
Chapter CCXIV - Medical treatment of snake-bite, etc. < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
Chapter CXCIV - Medical treatments of Sinus etc < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
Related products
(+10 more products available)