Kantakini, Kaṇṭakinī: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Kantakini means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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)
Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)
Kaṇṭakinī (कण्टकिनी) is another name for Kaṇṭakārī, a medicinal plant identified with Solanum xanthacarpum, a synonym of Solanum virginianum L. (“surattense nightshade” or “Thai eggplant”) from the Solanaceae or “nightshades” family of flowering plants, according to verse 4.30-32 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. The fourth chapter (śatāhvādi-varga) of this book enumerates eighty varieties of small plants (pṛthu-kṣupa). Together with the names Kaṇṭakinī and Kaṇṭakārī, there are a total of fourteen Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Kaṇṭakinī (कण्टकिनी) is another name (synonym) for Vārttākī, which is the Sanskrit word for Solanum melongena (eggplant), a plant from the Solanaceae family. This synonym was identified by Narahari in his 13th-century Rājanighaṇṭu (verses 7.194-195), which is an Ayurvedic medicinal thesaurus.

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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Kaṇṭakinī (कण्टकिनी).—A follower of Skandadeva. (Śloka 16, Chapter 46, Śalya Parva).
Kaṇṭakinī (कण्टकिनी) refers to the name of a Lady mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. IX.45.16). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Kaṇṭakinī) 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.
Biology (plants and animals)
1) Kantakini in India is the name of a plant defined with Caesalpinia crista in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Guilandina bonduc var. minus DC. (among others).
2) Kantakini is also identified with Solanum melongena It has the synonym Solanum insanum L. (etc.).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Cytologia (1986)
· Kew Bulletin (1985)
· The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture (3182)
· Acta Botanica Sinica (1985)
· Cytologia (1991)
· Cytologia (1997)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Kantakini, for example pregnancy safety, chemical composition, diet and recipes, extract dosage, side effects, health benefits, 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
Sanskrit dictionary
1) Kaṇṭakinī (कण्टकिनी):—[from kaṇṭakin > kaṇṭa] f. Solanum Jacquini, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
2) [v.s. ...] a kind of date-palm
3) [v.s. ...] red amaranth, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] Name of a mother in the retinue of Skanda, [Mahābhārata]
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)
Full-text: Mahakantakini, Vishakantakini, Shonajhinti, Varttaki, Kantakari.
Relevant text
Search found 6 books and stories containing Kantakini, Kaṇṭakinī; (plurals include: Kantakinis, Kaṇṭakinīs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
List of Mahabharata people and places (by Laxman Burdak)
International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
Comprehensive Analysis of Macroscopic and Microscopic Features ofSolanum... < [Vol. 7 No. 6: June (2024)]
Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 9 - The Procedure for Naivedya < [Section 5 - Mārgaśīrṣa-māhātmya]
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section 46 < [Shalya Parva]
Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine
Critical Analysis of Plant Nomenclature in Ayurveda and its Influence on Binomial Nomenclature < [Volume 11, issue 3 (2023)]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
A review on Charakokta Kanthya Mahakashaya < [Vol. 5 No. 06 (2020)]
Exploring the Medicinal Importance of Kantakari: A Review < [Vol. 8 No. 4 (2023)]