Kadali, aka: Kadalī; 12 Definition(s)

Introduction

Kadali means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India, 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.

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

One of the Hands indicating Trees.—Kadalī, the Mukula hands interlocked, extended, and the fingers waved;

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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).

Ayurveda (science of life)

1) Kadalī (कदली) is a Sanskrit word referring to “Banana”, a hybrid-species of trees from the Musaceae family, native to the tropics of Africa and Asia, and is used throughout Āyurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. The official botanical name of the plant is Musa paradisiaca but is listed as a hybrid between the species Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. The equivalent name in the Prakrit language is kayalī or kelī, and is Hindi it is known as kelā.

2) Kadalī (कदली) is a Sanskrit word referring to the “marmet”. The meat of this animal is part of the māṃsavarga (‘group of flesh’), which is used throughout Āyurvedic literature. The animal Kadalī is part of the sub-group named Bhūmiśaya, refering to animals “who sleep in burrows in earth”. It was classified by Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Āyurvedic work. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic properties of the substance.

Kadalī (कदली)—Sanskrit word for an animal (could be a kind of deer). This animal is from the group called Bileśaya (‘hole-dwellers’ or ‘those which have a burrow’). Bileśaya itself is a sub-group of the group of animals known as Jāṅghala (living in high ground and in a jungle).

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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.

Rasashastra (chemistry and alchemy)

Kadalī (कदली):—One of the sixty-seven Mahauṣadhi, as per Rasaśāstra texts (rasa literature). These drugs are useful for processing mercury (rasa), such as the alchemical processes known as sūta-bandhana and māraṇa.

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Rasashastra (रसशास्त्र, rasaśāstra) is an important branch of Ayurveda, specialising in chemical interactions with herbs, metals and minerals. Some texts combine yogic and tantric practices with various alchemical operations. The ultimate goal of Rasashastra is not only to preserve and prolong life, but also to bestow wealth upon humankind.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Kadalī (कदली).—A river sacred to Pitṛs. Once Rāma resided on her banks.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 22. 52.

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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.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Kadalī (कदली) refers to the “plantain fruits” and is used in oblation offerings, according to verse 25.137-141a of the Īśvarasaṃhitā. Accordingly, “... they [eg., kadalī] are already cooked, filling the cooking vessels (sthālī) and dishes (śarāva) are to be kept in all broad frying vessels (ambarīṣa). They are to be placed on vessels (pātra) smeared with (within) ghee (ghṛta), are hot and are to be spread out there. They which are heated and made greasy with powdered peppers, jīraka and ghee are to be stirred again and again with ladle. They are to be kept in vessels covered with clothes etc”.

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Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Kadalī (कदली)—Sanskrit word for a plant “banana tree” (Musa paradisiaca).

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Kadalī (कदली) refers to the “plantain”: a type of fruit (phala), according to Jain canonical texts (eg., the Jñātādharmakathāṅga-sūtra from the 3rd century B.C.). It is also known as Kosaṃba. Various kinds of fruits were grown and consumed by the people in ancient India. Fruits were also dried up for preservation. Koṭṭaka was a place for this operation. Besides being grown in orchards, fruits were gathered from jungles and were carried to cities for sales.

The Jain canonical texts frequently mention different horticulture products viz. fruits (eg., Kadalī fruit), vegetables and flowers which depict that horticulture was a popular pursuit of the people at that time. Gardens and parks (ārāma, ujjāṇa or nijjāṇa) were full of fruits and flowers of various kinds which besides yielding their products provided a calm and quiet place where people could enjoy the natural surroundings.

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Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

India history and geogprahy

Kadali is the name of a tree mentioned in the Kathasaritsagara by Somadeva (10th century A.D).—Kadali refers to the “Plantain-tree” and an arbour of plantain-trees (kadalikhanda) in a Vidhyadhara garden is mentioned.

Somadeva mentions many rich forests, gardens, various trees (eg., Kadali), creepers medicinal and flowering plants and fruit-bearing trees in the Kathasaritsagara. Travel through the thick, high, impregnable and extensive Vindhya forest is a typical feature of many travel-stories. Somadeva’s writing more or less reflects the life of the people of Northern India during the 11th century. His Kathasaritsagara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Kadali, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravahanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyadharas (celestial beings).

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The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as 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.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

kadali : (f.) the plantain tree; a banner.

1) Kadalī, ² (f.) a kind of deer, an antelope only in °miga J. V, 406, 416; VI, 539; DA. I, 87; and °pavara-pacc. ‹-› attharaṇa (nt.) the hide of the k. deer, used as a rug or cover D. I, 7=A. I, 181=Vin. I, 192=II. 163, 169; sim. D. II. 187; (adj.) (of pallaṅka) A. I, 137=III, 50=IV. 394. (Page 185)

2) Kadalī, ¹ (f.) (Sk. kadalī) — 1. the plantain, Musa sapientium. Owing to the softness and unsubstantiality of its trunk it is used as a frequent symbol of unsubstantiality, transitoriness and worthlessness. As the plantain or banana plant always dies down after producing fruit, is destroyed as it were by its own fruit, it is used as a simile for a bad man destroyed by the fruit of his own deeds: S. I, 154=Vin. II, 188=S. II, 241=A. II, 73 =DhA. III, 156; cp. Miln. 166;— as an image of unsubstantiality, Cp. III, 2⁴. The tree is used as ornament on great festivals: J. I, 11; VI, 590 (in simile), 592; VvA. 31.—2. a flag, banner, i.e. plantain leaves having the appearance of banners (-dhaja) J. V, 195; VI, 412. In cpds. kadali°.

—khandha the trunk of the plantain tree, often in similes as symbol of worthlessness, e.g. M. I, 233= S. III, 141=IV. 167; Vism. 479; Nd² 680 A^II.; J. VI, 442; as symbol of smoothness and beauty of limbs VvA. 280; —taru the plantain tree Dāvs. V, 49; —toraṇa a triumphal arch made of pl. stems and leaves Mhbv 169; —patta a pl. leaf used as an improvised plate to eat from J. V, 4; DhA. I, 59; —phala the fruit of the plantain J. V, 37. (Page 185)

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Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Marathi-English dictionary

kadalī (कदली).—f A common name for certain throws with dice.

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kadalī (कदली).—f (S) Plantain or Banana-tree, Musa paradisiaca, sapientum &c.

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