Jalauka: 17 definitions
Introduction:
Jalauka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, 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.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
King Jalauka, said to be Aśoka’s son, obtains powers often attributed to tantric practices. He can transform other metals into gold thanks to a magic substance and obtains charming youth through intercourse with Nāga women. His instructor is Avadhūta, a possible double of a later siddha. The name Jalauka comes perhaps from a hephthalite name, Javūka, see A. Sanderson, “Kashmir” p. 106. (See Rājataraṅgiṇī verse 1.110)
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)
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
Jalaukā (जलौका) or Jalaukādi-yoga refers to one of the topics discussed in the Yogāmṛta, a Sanskrit manuscript collected in volume 4 of the catalogue “Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (first series)” by Rajendralal Mitra (1822–1891), who was one of the first English-writing historians dealing with Indian culture and heritage.—The Yogāmṛta is a large Ayurvedic compilation dealing with the practice of medicine and therapeutics authored by Gopāla Sena, Kavirāja, of Dvārandhā. It is dated to the 18th century and contains 11,700 ślokas.—The catalogue includes the term—Jalaukā-ādi-yoga in its subject-matter list’ or Viṣaya (which lists topics, chapters and technical terms). The complete entry reads: jalaukādiyogāḥ.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Jalaukā (जलौका) refers to “leeches”, which may be used anuśastrāṇi (accessory instruments) in certain medicinal operations, according to Carakasaṃhitā Sūtrasthāna chapter 26.—Leeches (jalaukā) born in dirty water contaminated by putrifying dead bodies of fish, frog and snake, or their excreta; those which are red, white or very black in colour; which are very active, thick and slimy, those called Indrāyudha, those which have varied lines on their back, and which are very hairy are Saviṣa (poisonous) and so should be rejected. If used they produce itching, ulceration, fever and giddiness, these (ailments) are to be treated with drugs which mitigate poison, pitta and asra (blood). Those [viz., jalaukā, ‘leeches’] born in clean water, which are blue like algae, round in shape, having blue lines in their back, rough/hard back, thin body, slightly yellowish belly are Nirviṣa (non-poisonous) (so can be used).
Application of leeches (jalaukā) mitigates diseases such as, abdominal tumor, haemorrhoids, abscess, leprosy and other skin diseases, gout, diseases of the neck and eyes, poison, visarpa (herpes?) etc.
Jalaukā (जलौका) refers to “leeches”, whereas jalaukā-avacaraṇa (leech therapy) is used to in the treatment of Nasārunaśikhā (“nasal furunculosis”).—(cf. Vāgbhaṭa’s Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya Sūtrasthāna 26/47).—Jalaukā-avacaraṇa is one of the ancient and important parasurgical procedures described in Ayurveda for treatment of various diseases.—Jalaukā-avacaraṇa or leech therapy has gained greater attention globally, because of its medicinal values. The saliva of leech contains biologically active substances, which have anti-inflammatory as well as anesthetic properties.—Nasārunaśikhā (“nasal furunculosis”) was treated on the basis of treatment principles explained by Vāgbhaṭa in context of jalaukā-avacaraṇa. According to Vāgbhaṭa, pain and redness at the site of inflammation decreases radically followed by jalaukā-avacaraṇa due to letting out of vitiated rakta (blood).
Jalaukā (जलौका):—It is leech, belonging to annelida group of animal kingdom, which have anticoagulant enzymes in their saliva which helps them to suck blood continuously when they bite. Some of them are non poisonous which are used for therapeutic blood letting while someone poisonous.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Jalauka (जलौक).—It is not impossible that Aśoka had a Kaśmirian woman among his queens: the Rājataraṅgiṇī, I.108 sq., knows of a Jalauka, son of Aśoka, who reigned in Kaśmir.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
jalaukā (जलौका).—f S A leech.
jalaukā (जलौका).—f A leech.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Jalaukā (जलौका).—f.
(-kā) A leech. E. See the preceding; also jalokā.
Jalauka (जलौक).—i. e. jala-oka, m. and f. kā, A leech, [Suśruta] 1, 112, 6; 1, 39, 14.
Jalauka (जलौक).—([masculine]), ā [feminine] leech.
1) Jalauka (जलौक):—[from jala] m. = kasa, [Suśruta i, 29, 79]
2) Jalaukā (जलौका):—[from jalauka > jala] f. idem, [Mahābhārata xii, 3306; Suśruta i, 13; ii, 3; Skanda-purāṇa]
Jalaukā (जलौका):—[jalau+kā] (kā) 1. f. Idem.
Jalauka (जलौक):—
1) m. = jalaukas Blutegel [Suśruta 1, 112, 6.] —
2) f. dass. [Amarakoṣa 1, 2, 3, 22.] [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 1, 2, 25.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 1204.] [Hārāvalī 263.] [Mahābhārata 12, 3306.] [Suśruta 1, 39, 14. 17. 40, 2. 263, 1.]
--- OR ---
Jalauka (जलौक):—
2) [Spr. 948. fg.]
Jalauka (जलौक):—m. (ausnahmsweise) und f. ā dass.
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
Jalaukā (जलौका):—(nf) see [jauṃka].
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See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Jalaukadi, Jalaukadi, Jalaukadiyoga, Jalaukasa, Jalaukavacarana, Jalaukavacaraniya, Jalkas.
Full-text: Jalkas, Karnajalauka, Karnajalaukas, Karnajaluka, Jaloka, Jalaukasa, Jalaukavacarana, Jalaukavacaraniya, Jaluga, Jaluya, Jalu, Varyokas, Jokha, Jaluka, Jalaukadi, Jalika, Adhivasa, Jalaka, Lag, Zhi.
Relevant text
Search found 28 books and stories containing Jalauka, Jalaukā; (plurals include: Jalaukas, Jalaukās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
Hirudotherapy (jalaukavacharan) in netraroga according to sushrutha: a review < [2016, Issue XI November]
A critical analysis of jalaukavacharana(leech application):- a scientific review < [2024, Issue 10. October]
Review study of management of vicharchika (eczema) through jalaukaavcharankarma < [2017, Issue VIII August,]
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Review of jalaukavacharana < [2023: Volume 12, October issue 17]
Utility of jalaukavacharana in the management of youvana pidaka - a case report < [2019: Volume 8, March issue 3]
A conceptual review of jalaukavacharana (leech therapy) < [2022: Volume 11, Septmber issue 12]
Ayurvedic Management of Chronic Varicose Ulcers < [Volume 11, Issue 2: March-April 2024]
Effect of leech application in thrombosed haemorrhoid < [Volume 4, issue 4: July - August 2017]
Jalauka avacharan (leech therapy) for managing lipodermatosclerosis: a case study. < [Volume 4, issue 5: September- October 2017]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
A study to evaluate the efficacy of Jalauka Avacharana in Vyanga vis-a-vis... < [Vol. 2 No. 02 (2017)]
Ayurvedic management of Alopecia Areata - A Single Case Study < [Vol. 8 No. 12 (2023)]
Role of Leech therapy in the management of Vyanga w.s.r. to Melasma - A... < [Vol. 9 No. 12 (2024)]
International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
A Conceptual Review of Jalauka and Jalaukaavcharana (Leech-Therapy) in Ayurveda < [Vol. 5 No. 4: Apr (2022)]
Jalaukavacharana (Leech Therapy) – A Review Article < [Vol. 8 No. 4: Apr (2025)]
A Case Study – Role of Leech Therapy (Jalaukavcharana) in Varicose Vein. < [Vol. 4 No. 11: nov (2021)]
Political history of Kashmir (from A.D. 600–1200) (by Krishna Swaroop Saxena)
Part 2 - The story of Jalauka (in Kashmir) < [Chapter 2 - Early historical gleanings]
Part 6 - The history of Huna Rule in Kashmir < [Chapter 2 - Early historical gleanings]
Part 3 - Central Administration of ancient Kashmir < [Chapter 15 - Administration]
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