Kapikacchu, Kapi-kacchu, Kapikacchū: 14 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Ayurveda
In Jainism
1. General definition
Languages
1. Pali
2. Sanskrit
See also
Buy products

Introduction:

Kapikacchu means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali. 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.

Alternative spellings of this word include Kapikachchhu.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Cikitsa (natural therapy and treatment for medical conditions)

Source: Wisdom Library: Ayurveda: Cikitsa

Kapikacchu (कपिकच्छु) is a Sanskrit word referring to Mucuna pruriens (“velvet bean”). It is a type of legume (śamīdhānya), according to Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Ayurvedic work. It is also known as Ātmaguptā. The plant Kapikacchu is part of the Śamīdhānyavarga group of medicinal plants, referring to the “group of legumes”. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic value of the plant. The fruits of Kapikacchu are similar in properties to those of Māṣa, which is aphrodisisac, excellent vāta-alleviating, unctuous, hot, weet, heavy and strength-promoting in character. Māṣa also causes an abundance of faeces and gives sexual potency.

According to the Mādhavacikitsā (7^th century Ayurvedic work), this plant (Kapikacchu) is possibly identified with Vānarī, a medicinal used for the treatment of all major fevers (jvara), as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) chapter.

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

Source: WorldCat: Rāj nighaṇṭu

Kapikacchu (कपिकच्छु) is the Sanskrit name for a medicinal plant identified with Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean or cowhage or cowitch) from the Fabaceae or “bean family” of flowering plants, according to verse 3.50-53 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. Kapikacchu is commonly known in Hindi as Kewānch or Kounch; in Marathi as Khāj-kabilī; in Gujarati as Kauch; in Kannada as Vāsgunnī; in Telugu as Pilliadugū or Dulagondī; and in Tamil as Punnaikkalī.

Kapikacchu is mentioned as having twenty-six synonyms: Ātmaguptā, Svayaṃguptā, Maharṣabhī, Lāṅgulī, Kuṇḍalī, Caṇḍā, Markaṭī, Durabhigrahā, Kapiromaphalā, Guptā, Dusparśā, Kacchurā, Jayā, Prāvṛṣeṇyā, Śūkaśimbī, Badarī, Guru, Ārṣabhī, Śimbī, Varāhikā, Tīkṣṇā, Romālu, Vanaśūkarī, Kīśaromā and Romavallī.

Properties and characteristics: “Kapikacchu is sweet, aphrodisiac and useful in vāta, kṣaya (tuberculosis), urticaria, bleeding disorders, and complicated wounds”.

Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)

Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgraha

Kapikacchu (कपिकच्छु) is another name for “Ātmaguptā” 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 kapikacchu] 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).

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: eJournal of Indian Medicine: Jajjaṭa’s Nirantarapadavyākhyā and Other Commentaries on the Carakasaṃhitā

Kapikacchu (कपिकच्छु) refers to Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) DC. and is a medicinal plant mentioned in the 7th-century Nirantarapadavyākhyā by Jejjaṭa (or Jajjaṭa): one of the earliest extant and, therefore, one of the most important commentaries on the Carakasaṃhitā.—Note: Ātmaguptā is a synonym of Kapikacchu.—(Cf. Indian Medicinal Plants 4:68, Arya Vaidya Sala, 1993-96.).—(Cf. The Plant List, A Working List of All Plant Species 34, 461, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanical Garden).

context information

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 Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Kapikacchū (कपिकच्छू) is the name of a fruit (Mucuna pruriens) causing great irritation, as mentioned in chapter 1.1 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.—(cf. The Commercial Products of India p. 400)

Accordingly, as Muni Yugandhara said to Nirnāmikā (daughter of Nāgaśrī and Nāgila):

“[...] What pain is yours, lady, thinking yourself afflicted? Hear the afflictions of others. From the modifications of their karma souls are born in hell, doomed to be cut apart, doomed to mutilation, and to have their heads cut off. [...] One should not take an object that has not been given, since certainly there is no comfort from the taking of a thing not given, just as from the touch of kapikacchū fruit. [...]”.

context information

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

kapikacchu : (m.) the plant Mucana prutitus.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Kapikacchu refers to: the plant Mucuna pruritus Pv. II, 3¹⁰; °phala its fruit PvA. 86;

Note: kapikacchu is a Pali compound consisting of the words kapi and kacchu.

context information

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.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Kapikacchu (कपिकच्छु).—f. Name of a plant.

Derivable forms: kapikacchuḥ (कपिकच्छुः).

Kapikacchu is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms kapi and kacchu (कच्छु).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Kapikacchu (कपिकच्छु).—f.

(-cchuḥ) Cowach, (Dolichos carpopogon.) E. kapi a monkey, and kacchu itching; also with final vowel long kapikacchū.

--- OR ---

Kapīkacchu (कपीकच्छु).—f.

(-cchuḥ) Cowach: aee kapikaccha.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Kapikacchu (कपिकच्छु):—[=kapi-kacchu] [from kapi] f. us and ūs Mucuna Pruritus, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]

2) Kapīkacchu (कपीकच्छु):—[=kapī-kacchu] [from kapi] m. = kapi-ka above.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Kapikacchu (कपिकच्छु):—[kapi-kacchu] (cchuḥ) 2. f. Cowach.

2) Kapīkacchu (कपीकच्छु):—(cchuḥ) 2. f. Cowach.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Kapikacchu (कपिकच्छु) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Khaikacchu.

[Sanskrit to German]

Kapikacchu in German

context information

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.

Relevant text

Search found 6 books and stories containing Kapikacchu, Kapi-kacchu, Kapīkacchu, Kapī-kacchu, Kapikacchū, Kapi-kacchū; (plurals include: Kapikacchus, kacchus, Kapīkacchus, Kapikacchūs, kacchūs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Chapter 76 - Erotic remedies, Spermatic drugs and Medicines (kāndarpika)

Appendix 8 - Glossary of Medical and Botanical terms

Chapter 44 - Lustration Ceremony (nīrājanavidhi)

show preview

4. Importance of Flora < [Chapter 7 - Environmental awareness and Hygiene Conciousness]

show preview

Part 12: Attainment of disgust with existence < [Chapter II]

Part 1: Grief of the people at their death < [Chapter VI - Emancipation of Ajita Svāmin and Sagara]

Part 13: Fifth incarnation as the Īśāna god < [Chapter I]

show preview

Practice of Therapeutics < [Chapter 4]

show preview