Kesara, aka: Keśara, Keshara; 14 Definition(s)

Introduction

Kesara means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi. 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.

The Sanskrit term Keśara can be transliterated into English as Kesara or Keshara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Kesara (केसर):—This Kesara-droṇi is situated between the Kumuda and Añjana mountains. Here is also the Śabala forest in which is a mansion of Viṣṇu, the guru of the Suras.

Kesara (केसर).—A Mountain in Śākadvīpa (Śāka island). The air on this mountain was always filled with fragrance. (Mahābhārata Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 11, Stanza 23).

Kesara (केसर).—The mountain from whose summits the Sītā descends.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 17. 6.

context information

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.

Ayurveda (science of life)

1) Keśara (केशर, “hair”) is a Sanskrit word referring to Ochrocarpus longifolius (fragrant poon), a plant in the Calophyllaceae family, and is used throughout Āyurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. The literal translation of Keśara is “hair”, and commonly refers to the hair of the brow. The plant is found throughout the Western Ghats (sahyadri), a mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of India.

2) Kesara (केसर) is another name (synonym) for Kampillaka, which is the Sanskrit word for Mallotus philippensis (kamala tree), a plant from the Cleomaceae family. This synonym was identified by Narahari in his 13th-century Rājanighaṇṭu (verse 13.99), which is an Āyurvedic medicinal thesaurus.

Kesara (केसर) is the name of a tree (Maulśrī) that is associated with the Nakṣatra (celestial star) named Anurādhā, according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). Accordingly, “these [trees] are propounded in Śāstras, the secret scriptures (śāstrāgama). These pious trees [viz, Kesara], if grown and protected, promote long life”. These twenty-seven trees related to the twenty-seven Nakṣatras are supposed to be Deva-vṛkṣas or Nakṣatra-vṛkṣas.

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.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Kesara (केसर) refers to a variety of prāsāda (‘superstructure’, or, upper storey of any building), according to the Mayamata (5th-century guidebook on Dravidian architecture). It is part of the Ekatala (one-storey) group of prāsādas.

The Kesara variety has the following specifications and decorative motif components:

Number of talas (levels): 1;
Shape of grīva (neck) and śikhara (head): Circular or Square;
Number of śālas: 4;
Number of kūṭas: 4;

context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Kesara (केसर) refers to “saffron”: a product of flowers (puṣpa) commonly used in for personal and commercial purposes in ancient India. It is also known as Kuṃkuma. People were fond of flowers. The groves and gardens were maintained for recreational purpose. The Jain canonical texts frequently mention different horticulture products viz. fruits, vegetables and flowers which depict that horticulture was a popular pursuit of the people at that time. Gardens and parks (ārāma, ujjāṇa or nijjaṇa) were full of fruits and flowers of various kinds which besides yielding their products provided a calm andquiet place where people could enjoy the natural surroundings.

The flowers and their products (eg., Kesara ) fulfilled the aesthetic needs of the people. At the same time they had an economic importance in as much as some people depended on its trade. It is mentioned that people of Koṅkaṇa maintained themselves by selling fruits and flowers. (see Bṛhatkalpasūtra) Flower garlands and bouquet of various designs were prepared and sold. Saffron (kuṃkuma or kesara) was an important flower product. It yielded a good income to the producers. The flower attracted the bees who yielded honey (mahu, sanskrit: madhu) of different varieties, e. g. macchiya, kuṭṭiya, bhāmara, etc.

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

kesara : (nt.) hairy structures of flowers; name (of animal.).

1) Kesara, ² (fr. kesa) filament of flowers, hairy structures of plants esp. of the lotus; usually of kiñjakkha PvA. 77; VvA. 12; 111;— sa-kesarehi padumapattehi lotusleaves with their hairs VvA. 32; nicula-k° fibres of the Nicula tree VvA. 134.

2) Kesara, ¹ a mane, in —sīha a maned lion J. II, 244; SnA 127. (Page 227)

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.

Marathi-English dictionary

kēśara (केशर).—n (S) Saffron. 2 A shrub used in dyeing, Rottleria tinctoria.

--- OR ---

kēśarā (केशरा).—m (kēśara) A yellow garment put on (by a warrior &c.) in indication of his determination to conquer or die. v kara, ghē.

--- OR ---

kēsara (केसर).—m (S) pop. kēṃsara n A capillament or filament (of flowers &c.) 2 A lion's mane.

kēśara (केशर).—n Saffron. Fibre–esp. in mangoes.

--- OR ---

kēsara (केसर).—m kēmmara n Filament of flowers, &c. A lion's mane.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Kesara (केसर).—1 The mane (as of a lion); न हन्त्यदूरेऽपि गजान्मृगेश्वरो विलोलजिह्वश्चलिताग्रकेसरः (na hantyadūre'pi gajānmṛgeśvaro vilolajihvaścalitāgrakesaraḥ) Ṛs.1.14; Ś.7.14.

2) The filament of a flower; नीपं दृष्ट्वा हरितक- पिशं केसरैरर्धरूढैः (nīpaṃ dṛṣṭvā haritaka- piśaṃ kesarairardharūḍhaiḥ) Me.21; Ś.6.18; M.2.11; R.4.67; Śi.9.47.

3) The Bakula tree; रक्ताशोकश्चलकिसलयः केसर- श्चात्र कान्तः (raktāśokaścalakisalayaḥ kesara- ścātra kāntaḥ) Me.8; Ku.3.55.

4) The Punnāga tree.

5) The fibre (as of a mango fruit).

6) Saffron.

7) The hair.

-ram 1 A flower of the Bakula tree; सुरभि- गन्धपराजितकेसरम् (surabhi- gandhaparājitakesaram) R.9.36.

2) Gold.

3) Sulphate of iron.

Derivable forms: kesaraḥ (केसरः), kesaram (केसरम्).

See also (synonyms): keśara.

Relevant definitions

Search found 58 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:

Relevant text