Alternative spellings of this word include Kauchava.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Source: archive.org: Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita (first 5 chapters)

Kaucava (कौचव) refers to “goat’s-hair sheet”, which is mentioned in verse 3.13 of the Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna) by Vāgbhaṭa.—Accordingly, “[...] Having thereupon bathed according to ritual—with the oil removed by an astringent—,rubbed (one’s body) with musk-charged saffron, (and) fumigated (oneself) with aloe-wood one shall (at last) turn to [...] fresh victuals, lard, (and) sesame-oil; (besides), to tepid water for purification (and) a bed covered with a quilt, hide, and silk, ramie, or goat’s-hair sheet [viz., kaucava] [...]”.

Note: Kaucava “goat’s-hair sheet”, equated to (citra-)kambala, tavaraka, and rāṅkava(-vastra), is understood as “a fabric made of goat’s hair dyed with safflower juice”—(kausumbharasaraktacchāgaromanirmito ghanaḥ Indu). The Tibetan reu-bal la-ba (“kid’s-wool blanket” agrees on the whole with this definition. CD read reu-bal chen, which may be interpreted to mean “kid’s-wool fabrics”, by analogy with phrases like gos chen (“silk fabrics”). In Mahāvyutpatti 5861 bal la-ba corresponds to kocava.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with: Kaucavara, Kaucavarya.

Full-text: Tavaraka, Citrakambala, Kambala, Rankava, Rankavavastra, Kocava, Kojava.

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