Ikshu, aka: Ikṣu, Iksu; 9 Definition(s)

Introduction

Ikshu 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.

The Sanskrit term Ikṣu can be transliterated into English as Iksu or Ikshu, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Ikṣu (इक्षु) is a Sanskrit word referring to Saccharum officinarum, a species of grass from the Poaceae (or, Gramineae) family of flowering plants. It is also known as Puṇḍraka. In English, it is known as the “sugarcane” or the “noble cane”. It is used throughout Āyurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. It is a tall perennial grass growing up to 6 meters in height. It has a solid juicy stem with leaves up to 150cm long that are inflorescence pink or white. It is extensively cultivated throughout India.

This plant (Ikṣu) is also mentioned as a medicine used for the treatment of all major fevers (jvara), as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) which forms the first chapter of the Sanskrit work called Mādhavacikitsā.

Ikṣu (इक्षु, “sugar”).—Sanskrit writers refer to a number of varieties of sugar, namely, Ikṣurasa (sugarcane juice), Phāṇit (sugarcane juice boiled down to one fourth), Guḍa (treacle), Matsyaṇḍikā (sugarcane juice boiled down to a solid consistence but exuding a little fluid on drawing), Khaṇḍa (candied white sand like grain), Śarkarā (white sugar), Sitopala (sugarcandy), Gauḍī (fermented liquor obtained from treacle), Sīdhu (fermented liquor obtained from sugarcane juice) and other two varieties of the above.

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.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

One of the Hands of the Seven Oceans.—Ikṣu: the Alapadma hands moved upwards and downwards (vyāvṛttacāpaveṣṭitau). Note: Representing the up and down motion of waves.

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing dramatic plays (nataka) and poetic works (kavya).

Purana

Ikṣu (इक्षु) refers to “sugar”, forming part of a common diet in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) as mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—Of the varieties of Ikṣu Nīlamata mentions only Guḍa and Śarkarā. Grains covered with treacle and ice mixed with white sugar are referred to (verses 494, 708). Most of the references to the articles of diet occur in the Nīlamata in connection with the offerings made to the gods but it is not difficult to infer from them the food and drink of the common people because “what a man eats his gods eat”.

1a) Ikṣu (इक्षु).—A tree peculiar to Harivarṣa.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 17. 7.

1b) (kratu)—A river of Śākadvīpa, from the side of the Himalayas.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 19. 96; Matsya-purāṇa 122. 32; Vāyu-purāṇa 49. 93; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 4. 65.

1c) One of the seven oceans; see ikṣurasodā.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 31. 18; Matsya-purāṇa 2. 34.

1d) A R. from the side of the Himālayas, in the Bhāratavarṣa.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 114. 22; Vāyu-purāṇa 45. 96.

1e) A R. joining the Narmadā; very holy. A bath here makes one lord of a Devagaṇa.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 191. 49-50.

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)

Sanskrit for 'sugar-cane'.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

ikṣu (इक्षु).—m (S) Sugarcane, Arundo saccharifera.

ikṣu (इक्षु) [-daṇḍa, -दंड].—m Sugar-cane. ikṣurasa mSugar- cane juice.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Ikṣu (इक्षु).—[iṣyate'sau mādhuryāt, iṣ-ksu Uṇ.3.157]

1) Sugarcane; परि त्वा परितत्नुनेक्षुणागामविद्विषे (pari tvā paritatnunekṣuṇāgāmavidviṣe) Av.1.34.5.

2) Name of another tree कोफिला (kophilā).

3) Wish, desire.

Derivable forms: ikṣuḥ (इक्षुः).

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