Kanka, Kaṅka, Kaṅkā, Kamka: 29 definitions
Introduction:
Kanka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Jainism, Prakrit, biology. 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
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botanyKaṅka (कङ्क) is a Sanskrit word referring to the “heron”. The meat of this animal is part of the māṃsavarga (‘group of flesh’), which is used throughout Ayurvedic literature. The animal Kaṅka is part of the group of birds named Vartakādi, which is a sub-group of Viṣkira, refering to “birds similar to common quail who eat while scattering the gains”. 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 IKaṅka (कङ्क)—Sanskrit word for a bird corresponding to “heron”, cf. gujurātī Kākrū “bird of prey”; in epics, it haunts the battlefields. This animal is from the group called Prasaha (‘carnivorous birds’). Prasaha itself is a sub-group of the group of animals known as Jāṅghala (living in high ground and in a jungle).
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.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: ISKCON Press: GlossaryKaṅka (कङ्क).—The name Yudhiṣṭhira used during the last year of exile in the kingdom of Virāṭa.
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇaKaṅka (कङ्क) is another name for Hemaparvata, one of the seven major mountains in Kuśadvīpa, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 87. Kuśadvīpa is one of the seven islands (dvīpa), ruled over by Vapuṣmān, one of the ten sons of Priyavrata, son of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.
The Varāhapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century. It is composed of two parts and Sūta is the main narrator.
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia1) Kaṅka (कङ्क).—One of the seven famous archers of the Vṛṣṇi dynasty. The seven are: Kṛtavarmā, Anādhṛṣṭi, Samīka, Samitiñjaya, Kaṅka, Śaṅku and Kunti. (Chapter 14, Sabhā Parva).
2) Kaṅka (कङ्क).—A King of ancient India. (Śloka 233, Chapter 1, Ādi Parva).
3) Kaṅka (कङ्क).—A bird, son of Surasā. (Śloka 69, Chapter 66, Ādi Parva).
4) Kaṅka (कङ्क).—The name which Dharmaputra bore when he spent his life incognito at the palace of the King of Virāṭa. (See under Dharmaputra).
5) Kaṅka (कङ्क).—A place of habitation of ancient India. This place was given to Dharmaputra as a gift by the inhabitants of the place. (Chapter 51, Sabhā Parva).
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationKaṅka (कङ्क) is the name of a Sage (Muni) who once attended a great sacrifice by Dakṣa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.27. Accordingly as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] once a great sacrifice was started by Dakṣa, O sage. To partake in that sacrifice, the celestial and terrestrial sages and devas were invited by Śiva and they reached the place being deluded by Śiva’s Māyā. [Kaṅka, ...] and many others along with their sons and wives arrived at the sacrifice of Dakṣa—my son”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Kaṅka (कङ्क).—A hill of Śālmalidvīpa.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 19. 39.
1b) A son of Ugrasena.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 71. 133.
1c) A son of Ugrasena, and brother of Kaṃsa; killed by Balarāma.1 His daughter was the queen of Andhaka.2
1d) A son of Devamīḍha alias Śūra, and Māriṣā. His queen was Karṇikā and sons were Ṛtadhāman and Jaya.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 24. 27-9. & 44.
1e) The avatār of the Lord in the fifth dvāpara with four sons, all yogins.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 23. 129.
1f) A ṛtvik at Brahmā's yajña.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 106. 36.
1g) (Mt.) a chief hill of the Śālmalidvīpa.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 42. 50; 49. 36; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 4. 27.
1h) A mountain in Kuśadvīpa.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 122. 57.
1i) A royal dynasty of sixteen princes noted for their greed. See maunas.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa XII. 1. 29.
1j) A tribe defeated by Bharatas. Purified of sin by devotion to Hari.1 Heard of Kṛṣṇa going to Mithilā, and met him there with presents.2
2a) Kaṅkā (कङ्का).—A daughter of Ugrasena.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 71. 134.
2b) A daughter of Ugrasena; wife of Ānaka and mother of Satyajit and Purujit.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 24. 25 and 41; Matsya-purāṇa 44. 76.
Kaṅka (कङ्क) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.177.18) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Kaṅka) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira1) Kaṅkā (कङ्का) or Kaṅkāketu refers to certain types of Ketus (i.e., luminous bodies such as comets and meteors), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 11), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “The comets that resemble clusters of stars are named Gaṇakā Ketus; they are 8 in number and are the sons of Prajāpati. Those that are oblongular in shape, are 204 in number and are the sons of Brahmā. The comets that resemble clusters of bamboo canes and that are as bright as the moon are named Kaṅkā Ketus; they are the sons of Varuṇa and are 32 in number. When they appear mankind will suffer miseries”.
2) Kaṅka (कङ्क) refers to a country belonging to “Madhyadeśa (central division)” classified under the constellations of Kṛttikā, Rohiṇī and Mṛgaśīrṣa, according to the system of Kūrmavibhāga, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 14).—Accordingly, “The countries of the Earth beginning from the centre of Bhāratavarṣa and going round the east, south-east, south, etc., are divided into 9 divisions corresponding to the 27 lunar asterisms at the rate of 3 for each division and beginning from Kṛttikā. The constellations of Kṛttikā, Rohiṇī and Mṛgaśīrṣa represent the Madhyadeśa or central division consisting of the countries of [i.e., Kaṅka] [...]”.
Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra TantraKaṅka (कङ्क) refers to a “heron” (i.e., ‘being amongst herons in dreams’), according to the Svacchanda-tantra.—Accordingly, [verse 4.21-27, while describing inauspicious dreams]—“[...] [He dreams of] the destruction of houses, palaces, beds, clothes, and seats; defeat of oneself in battle and theft of ones things. [He] ascends or is amongst donkeys, camels, dogs, jackals, and herons (kaṅka), vultures, and cranes. [He rides on] buffalos, owls, and crows, eats cooked meat, [wears a] red garland, and ointment for the body. [...]”
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: WikiPedia: HinduismKanka (कंक): Assumed name of Yudhishthira at Virata's court.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (tantric Buddhism)Kaṅka (कङ्क) refers to a “heron”, according to the Bhūśalyasūtrapātananimittavidhi section of Jagaddarpaṇa’s Ācāryakriyāsamuccaya, a text within Tantric Buddhism dealing with construction manual for monasteries etc.—Accordingly, “[...] [The officiant] should examine omens. If a cord is cut, the death of a master [will take place]. If the cries of a jackal, a vulture and a heron (kaṅka) [are heard], then the death of a lord [will] definitely [take place]. [...]”.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)Kanka in India is the name of a plant defined with Dendrocalamus strictus in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Bambusa stricta Roxb. (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Hort. Beng. (1814)
· Numer. List (5038)
· Fl. Bras. (Martius) (1880)
· The Indian Forester (1991)
· The Indian Forester (1988)
· Rev. Hort. (1876)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Kanka, for example chemical composition, side effects, diet and recipes, health benefits, extract dosage, pregnancy safety, have a look at these references.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionarykaṅka : (m.) a heron.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryKaṅka, (Sk. kaṅka, to sound-root kṇ, cp. kiṅkiṇī & see note on gala) a heron M. I, 364, 429; J. V, 475.
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 Dictionarykaṅka (कंक).—m S A heron or curlew.
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kāṅkā (कांका).—m C The end-portion of a Cocoanut-branch.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishkaṅka (कंक).—m A heron or curlew.
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: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryKaṅka (कङ्क).—1 A heron; Mahābhārata (Bombay) 11.16.7.
2) A variety of mango.
3) Name of Yama.
4) A Kṣatriya.
5) A Vṛṣṇi.
6) A false or pretended Brāhmaṇa.
7) Name assumed by Yudhiṣṭhira in the palace of Virāṭa.
8) One of the 18 divisions of the continent.
9) Name of a people (pl.); cf. कङ्कस्तरङ्गे गुप्ते च गृध्ने काके युधिष्ठिरे । कूले मधुरिपौ कोके पिके वैवस्वतेऽप्यथ (kaṅkastaraṅge gupte ca gṛdhne kāke yudhiṣṭhire | kūle madhuripau koke pike vaivasvate'pyatha) || Nm.
-ṅkā 1 A sort of sandal.
2) Scent of the lotus.
Derivable forms: kaṅkaḥ (कङ्कः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryKaṅka (कङ्क).—m.
(-ṅkaḥ) 1. A heron. 2. Yama or death. 3. A false or pretended Brahman. 4. A title of Yudisht'Hira, from his assuming the disguise of a Brahman. 5. A man of the second or military tribe. 6. One of the eighteen divisions of the continent. 7. The brother of Kansa. 8. A kind of mango. f.
(-ṅkā) 1. A daughter of Ugrasena. 2. A sort of sandal. E. kaki to go, ac aff.
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Kaṅkā (कङ्का).—f.
(-ṅkā) Scent of the lotus.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryKaṅka (कङ्क).—I. m. 1. A heron, [Rāmāyaṇa] 6, 90, 25. 2. The name of a king, Mahābhārata 1, 227. 3. pl. The name of a people, Mahābhārata 2, 1850. Ii. f. kā, A proper name, [Harivaṃśa, (ed. Calc.)] 2029.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryKaṅka (कङ्क).—[masculine] heron; [Name] of a man, [plural] of a people.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus CatalogorumKaṅka (कङ्क) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—poet. Padyāvalī.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Kaṅka (कङ्क):—m. ([from] the above according to, [Tārānātha tarkavācaspati’s Vācaspatyam, Sanskrit dictionary]), a heron (the first heron is supposed to be a son of Surasā, [Mahābhārata i, 2633]), [Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā xxiv, 31; Sāma-veda; Mahābhārata; Mṛcchakaṭikā] etc.
2) a kind of mango, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) Name of Yama, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) of several men, [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Bhāgavata-purāṇa] etc.
5) a Name assumed by Yudhiṣṭhira (before king Virāṭa, when in the disguise of a Brāhman), [Mahābhārata iv]
6) a false or pretended Brāhman, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
7) a man of the second or military tribe, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
8) one of the eighteen divisions of the continent, [Horace H. Wilson]
9) m. [plural] Name of a people, [Mahābhārata; Bhāgavata-purāṇa; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]
10) Kaṅkā (कङ्का):—[from kaṅka] f. a kind of sandal, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
11) [v.s. ...] the scent of the lotus, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
12) Kaṅka (कङ्क):—f(ā and ī). Name of a daughter of Ugrasena (and sister of Kaṅka), [Bhāgavata-purāṇa; Viṣṇu-purāṇa]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Kaṅka (कङ्क):—(ṅkaḥ) 1. m. A heron; Yama or death; name of Yudishthir.
2) Kaṅkā (कङ्का):—(ṅkā) 1. f. Scent of the lotus.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Kaṅka (कङ्क) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Kaṃka.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionaryKaṃka (कंक) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Kaṅka.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusKaṃka (ಕಂಕ):—
1) [noun] any of various wading birds (esp. subfamily Ardeinae) with a long neck, long legs, and a long, tapered bill, living along marshes and river banks; a heron.
2) [noun] a small, wild canine, Vulpes bengalensis, with bushy tail, believed to be very crafty; a jackal.
3) [noun] an instrument with two arms for grasping and holding; a pair of tongs.
4) [noun] an epithet of Yama, the Death-God.
5) [noun] a man in the garb of a brāhmaṇa.
6) [noun] a person who leads a life of contemplation and rigorous self-denial for religious purposes; an ascetic.
7) [noun] a man, known for courage esp. for fighting single-handedly in war.
8) [noun] cessation of life; death.
9) [noun] a kind of mango.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+192): Kamkabale, Kamkadaiya, Kamkadua, Kamkaduga, Kamkaladamda, Kamkalamali, Kamkalamkapani, Kamkalasa, Kamkalate, Kamkalavaral, Kamkalike, Kamkamale, Kamkanabaddha, Kamkanabaddhe, Kamkanabala, Kamkanagala, Kamkanagara, Kamkanagattu, Kamkanagilu, Kamkanagrahana.
Ends with (+6): Alaktakanka, Ankanka, Avarakanka, Barda-kanka, Curnashakanka, Ekanka, Enamkamka, Gullekamka, Gunakanka, Hatakanka, Isinkankanka, Kalankanka, Kirikamka, Lokasamvyavaharanamakanka, Makkanka, Mushikanka, Sonakanka, Svalpakanka, Svastikanka, Tintukanka.
Full-text (+81): Kankamukha, Kankapatra, Kankashaya, Kankatrota, Kankaparvan, Kankashatru, Kankatroti, Kankamala, Kankeru, Kankavadana, Kanku, Kankatunda, Kankapatrin, Svalpakanka, Kankayana, Kanka jariya, Ranka, Kankahrada, Kankalodya, Kankapattrin.
Relevant text
Search found 32 books and stories containing Kanka, Kaṅka, Kaṅkā, Kāṅkā, Kamka, Kaṃka; (plurals include: Kankas, Kaṅkas, Kaṅkās, Kāṅkās, Kamkas, Kaṃkas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 5.8.41 < [Chapter 8 - The Killing of Kaṃsa]
Verses 5.8.36-37 < [Chapter 8 - The Killing of Kaṃsa]
Verse 8.13.76 < [Chapter 13 - A Thousand Names of Lord Balarāma]
The Bhagavata Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 24 - The History of the Race of Yadu < [Book 9 - Ninth Skandha]
Chapter 1 - Dynasties of the Kali Age < [Book 12 - Twelfth Skandha]
Chapter 26 - Description of Hells (Naraka) < [Book 5 - Fifth Skandha]
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 1.7.74-75 < [Chapter 7 - Pūrṇa (pinnacle of excellent devotees)]
Annadatri-carita (study) (by Sarannya V.)
5. The Grand feast in Sangam Literature < [Chapter 1 - The Myth of Grand Feast]