In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Girikanyā (गिरिकन्या) or Girikanyakā refers to the “mountain damsels”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.22. Accordingly as Śiva said to Sitā:—“[...] O my beloved, beautiful woman, clouds will not reach the place where I have to make an abode for you. [...] The daughters of the king of serpents, the mountain damsels (girikanyā), the Nāga ladies and the Turaṅga-Mukhīs will assist you in their excited flutter in congratulating you. Seeing your face of unequalled splendour and beauty and your body of uncommon lustre, the celestial ladies there, despising their own beauty and lacking in interest in their own qualities will begin to stare at you with winkless eyes”.

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.

Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

Girikanya in India is the name of a plant defined with Clitoria ternatea in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Lathyrus spectabilis Forssk. (among others).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Bot. Commelins (1983)
· Encyclopédie Méthodique. Botanique (1811)
· Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis (DC.) (1825)
· Nova Genera et Species Plantarum (1823)
· A Numerical List of Dried Specimens (5347)
· Moscosoa (1990)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Girikanya, for example pregnancy safety, side effects, health benefits, extract dosage, diet and recipes, chemical composition, have a look at these references.

context information

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)

Partial matches: Kanya, Giri.

Starts with: Girikanyaka.

Full-text: Girikanyaka.

Relevant text

No search results for Girikanya, Girikanyā, Giri-kanya, Giri-kanyā; (plurals include: Girikanyas, Girikanyās, kanyas, kanyās) in any book or story.