Kadali, Kadalī: 15 definitions
Introduction
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.
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: archive.org: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)One of the Hands indicating Trees.—Kadalī, the Mukula hands interlocked, extended, and the fingers waved;

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)
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany1) 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 Ayurvedic 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 Ayurvedic 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 Ayurvedic work. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic properties of the substance.
Source: archive.org: Sushruta samhita, Volume IKadalī (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).
Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval IndiaKadali (कदलि) refers to “plantain” according to the 17th century Bhojanakutūhala (dravyaguṇāguṇa-kathana), and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—The dravyaguṇāguṇa section contains the discussions on different food articles and their dietetic effects according to the prominent Ayurvedic treatises. The Kadali foodstuff is mutually incompatible (viruddhāhāra) with the following: takra (curds) and dadhi (buttermilk).
Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgrahaKadalī (कदली) [or Kadaḷī] refers to the medicinal plant known as “Musa paradisiaca Linn.” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning kadalī] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) which is a branch of pharmacology (dravyaguṇa).

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)
Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstraKadalī (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.

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)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexKadalī (कदली).—A river sacred to Pitṛs. Once Rāma resided on her banks.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 22. 52.

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)
Source: archive.org: Isvara Samhita Vol 5Kadalī (कदली) refers to the “plantain fruits” and is used in oblation offerings, according to verse 25.137-141a of the 8th-century 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”.

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)
Source: Wisdom Library: HinduismKadalī (कदली)—Sanskrit word for a plant “banana tree” (Musa paradisiaca).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: Economic Life In Ancient India (as depicted in Jain canonical literature)Kadalī (कदली) refers to the “plantain”: a type of fruit (phala), according to Jain canonical texts (e.g., 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 (e.g., 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.

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 geography
Source: Shodhganga: Cultural history as g leaned from kathasaritsagaraKadali 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 (e.g., 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).

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
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionarykadali : (f.) the plantain tree; a banner.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary1) 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°.

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
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarykadalī (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.
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
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Kadalī (कदली):—[from kadala] a f. the plantain tree, [Bhāvaprakāśa]
2) [v.s. ...] a kind of deer (the hide of which is used as a seat), [Mahābhārata; Suśruta]
3) [v.s. ...] a flag, banner, flag carried by an elephant, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [from kadala] b f. (See above).
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+12): Kadaligama, Kadaligarbha, Kadaligriha, Kadalika, Kadalikanda, Kadalikhandha, Kadalikshata, Kadalikusuma, Kadalikusumavataka, Kadalimiga, Kadalin, Kadalinivataka, Kadalipatta, Kadalipattagama, Kadaliphala, Kadaliphaladayaka, Kadalipupphiya, Kadalipuramahatmya, Kadalipushpa, Kadalipushpavataka.
Ends with: Anukadali, Aranyakadali, Ashmakadali, Atthikadali, Balakadali, Binakadali, Cakadali, Darukadali, Girikadali, Kakakadali, Kanakakadali, Kancanakadali, Kashthakadali, Mahendrakadali, Pitakadali, Suvarnakadali, Svarnakadali, Vanakadali.
Full-text (+59): Aranyakadali, Suvarnakadali, Kashthakadali, Ashmakadali, Pitakadali, Kadala, Girikadali, Darukadali, Balakadali, Vanakadali, Kanakakadali, Gajavallabha, Kadaligarbha, Kadaligriha, Kadalikanda, Stambha, Kadalisukham, Kadaliskandha, Kadalikshata, Rodhradi.
Relevant text
Search found 27 books and stories containing Kadali, Kadalī, Kadaḷī; (plurals include: Kadalis, Kadalīs, Kadaḷīs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Mirror of Gesture (abhinaya-darpana) (by Ananda Coomaraswamy)
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Minerals (uparasa) (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 2 - Purification of Kankustha (an ore containing tin) < [Chapter XV - Uparasa (16): Kankustha (an ore containing tin)]
Part 4 - Process for creation of Dhanya-abhra (paddy mica) < [Chapter I - Uparasa (1): Abhra or Abhraka (mica)]
Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.1.328 < [Part 1 - Ecstatic Excitants (vibhāva)]
Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka (by I. B. Horner)
Rejection of high and broad seats < [5. Leather (Camma)]
The story of Keṇiya the matted-hair ascetic < [6. Medicine (Bhesajja)]
Allowance for the first seat, etc. < [16. Lodgings (Sayanāsana)]
The Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter CCII - Various other medicinal Recipes (continued) < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
Chapter CXCVI - Therapeutic properties of drugs < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
Chapter CCXVII - Various Recipes for the cure of sterility, virile impotency, etc. < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 52 - The Story of Dīrghatapas < [Section 3 - Revā-khaṇḍa]
Chapter 28 - Kriyā-Yoga: Meditation on the Forms of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa < [Section 9 - Vāsudeva-māhātmya]
Chapter 1 - The Greatness of Viṣṇuhari < [Section 8 - Ayodhyā-māhātmya]