Karavellaka, Kāravellaka: 8 definitions
Introduction:
Karavellaka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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)
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
Kāravellaka (कारवेल्लक):—One of the two variations of Rasaka (‘zinc ore, calamine’), which is part of the mahārasa group of minerals, according to the Rasaprakāśasudhākara: a 13th century Sanskrit book on Indian alchemy, or, Rasaśāstra. Kāravellaka is used for satvapātana purposes. It is considered as sarvamehahare (that which destroys all types of meha (urinary) rogas) and also pitta-śleṣma-vināśana (that which pacifies pitta-doṣa and kapha-doṣa).
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Kāravellaka (कारवेल्लक) or Kareli Momordica charantia, and is the name of a medicinal plant dealt with in the 17th-century Vaidyavallabha written by Hastiruci.—The Vaidyavallabha is a work which deals with the treatment and useful for all 8 branches of Ayurveda. The text Vaidyavallabha has been designed based on the need of the period of the author, availability of drugs (viz., Kāravellaka) during that time, disease manifesting in that era, socio-economical-cultural-familial-spiritual-aspects of that period Vaidyavallabha.
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)
Kāravellaka (कारवेल्लक) refers to a type of vegetable (śāka), according to The Vyākhyāprajñapti 7.3.276. It is also known by the name Kāravella or Susavi in Sanskrit or Karela in Hindi. Different kinds of vegetables were grown in the vegetable gardens (kaccha / kakṣa). The consumption of vegetables was considered essential for digesting food according to the Niśīthacūrṇi. The Jaina texts forbid the consumption of certain vegetables as it leads to killing of insects.
The Vyākhyāprajñapti, also known as the Bhagavatīsūtra contains a compilation of 36,000 questions answered by Mahāvīra and dates to at least the 1st century A.D. The Niśīthacūrṇi by Jinadāsa is a 7th century commentary on the Niśthasūtra and deals with Jain medical knowledge.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Karavellaka in India is the name of a plant defined with Momordica charantia in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Sicyos fauriei H. Lév. (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Tribuna Farmacêutica. (1939)
· Ceylon Journal of Science, Biological Sciences (1995)
· Fl. Trop. E. Afr., Cucurbit. (1967)
· Herbarium Amboinense (Linn.) (1754)
· Flore des Mascareignes: la Réunion, Maurice, Rodrigues (1990)
· Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (Bolivia) Comunicación (1990)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Karavellaka, for example side effects, diet and recipes, extract dosage, pregnancy safety, health benefits, chemical composition, 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
Kāravellaka (कारवेल्लक).—
1) Name of a bitter vegetable (Mar. kāraleṃ ?)
2) A missile of the shape of कारवेल्ल (kāravella), covered all over with sharp edges; गण्डशैलैः कारवेल्लैः लोहकण्टकवेष्टितैः (gaṇḍaśailaiḥ kāravellaiḥ lohakaṇṭakaveṣṭitaiḥ) Parṇal 4.75.
Derivable forms: kāravellakaḥ (कारवेल्लकः).
See also (synonyms): kāravella.
Kāravellaka (कारवेल्लक).—m.
(-kaḥ) See the preceding.
Kāravellaka (कारवेल्लक):—[from kāravella] m. idem, [Suśruta]
Kāravellaka (कारवेल्लक):—[kāra-vellaka] (kaḥ) 1. m. Idem.
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)
Partial matches: Vellaka, Kara.
Full-text: Karavella, Rasaka, Karamihika, Krishnavarga, Kareli, Dardura.
Relevant text
Search found 13 books and stories containing Karavellaka, Kara-vellaka, Kāra-vellaka, Kāravellaka; (plurals include: Karavellakas, vellakas, Kāravellakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter CXCVI - Therapeutic properties of drugs < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
An Experimental Evaluation of Karavellaka Phala (Momordica Charantia linn.)... < [Vol. 6 No. 12: Dec (2023)]
Therapeutic approach towards Amlapitta in Bhaishajya Ratnavali < [Vol. 4 No. 7: Sep (2021)]
Importance of Pathya Chakshushya Dravya in Netravikara < [Vol. 5 No. 1: jan (2022)]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
A critical review of karavellaka (momordica charantia linn.) as a vishagna dravya (anti poisonous drug) < [2024, Issue 03. March]
A critical review on karavellaka (momordica charantia l.), amalaki (emblica officinalis. gareth) and haridra (curcuma longa l.) as functional food ingredients in type 2 diabetes mellitus < [2019, Issue 4, April]
An observational study to evaluate the apatarpanaja etiological factors and radiological changes in janu sandhigatavata with special reference to osteoarthritis < [2016, Issue VIII August]
Minerals and Metals in Sanskrit literature (by Sulekha Biswas)
9. Some Tentative Interpretations (of the Rasaratna-samuccaya) < [Chapter 9 - The Rasaratna-samuccaya—a pinnacle in the Indian iatro-chemistry]
Appendix E - Technical words in the post-Christian era Indian literature
7. Rasa and Rasaka according to Rasaratna-samuccaya < [Chapter 9 - The Rasaratna-samuccaya—a pinnacle in the Indian iatro-chemistry]
Vaidyavallabha: An Authoritative Work on Ayurveda Therapeutics < [Volume 36 (issue 2), Oct-Dec 2016]
Modern science supports ancient Ayurvedic diet for diabetes. < [Volume 25 (issue 3-4), Jan-Jun 2006]
Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine
Prevention of blindness caused by ‘vitamina’deficiency- an ayurvedic perspective < [Volume 3, issue 4 (2015)]
Palliative management of pittashmari (cholelithiasis) < [Volume 9, issue 5 (2021)]
Trisutra for ayur trichology: an innovative insight < [Volume 9, issue 5 (2021)]