Koshataki, aka: Kosātakī, Kośātakī; 7 Definition(s)

Introduction

Koshataki means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.

The Sanskrit term Kośātakī can be transliterated into English as Kosataki or Koshataki, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Koṣātakī (कोषातकी) is a Sanskrit word referring to “luffa”, a fruit from the Cucurbitaceae (gourd) family of plants, and is used throughout Āyurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. The official botanical name is Luffa acutangula and is commonly referred to in English as “Chinese okra”, “dish cloth gourd” or “strainer vine”, among many other nicknames.

This plant (Koṣātakī) is also mentioned as a medicine used for the treatment of all major fevers, as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) which forms the first chapter of the Sanskrit work called Mādhavacikitsā. In this work, the plant is called Kṛtavedhana.

Kośātakī (कोशातकी) is the Sanskrit name for a medicinal plant identified with Luffa acutangula (angled luffa or ribbed sponge gourd) from the Cucurbitaceae or “gourd family” of flowering plants, according to verse 3.48-49 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. Kośātakī is commonly known in Hindi as Taroī; in Marathi as Dodaka or Sirolā; in Gujurati as Turiā; in Telugu as Burkai or Vīra; in Tamil as Pirkankai or Miku; in Bangali as Jhīṅgā; and in Kannada as Kaduhire or Hirekāī.

Kośātakī is mentioned as having eight synonyms: Kṛtacchidrā, Jālinī, Kṛtavedhanā, Kṣveḍā, Sutiktā, Ghaṇṭālī and Mṛdaṅgaphalinī.

Properties and characteristics: “This [Kośātakī] is pungent, cold and slightly astringent. It alleviates all the three doṣas [viz., kapha, pitta, vāta] and clears away the mala and tympanitis (ādhmāna)”.

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.

Katha (narrative stories)

Kośātakī (कोशातकी) is a city located in the interior corner of the Sumeru mountain, in the world of the Vidyādharas, according to the eighth Ucchvāsa of the Udayasundarīkathā. The king of Kosātakī is Tārākiriṭa.

The Udayasundarīkathā is a Sanskrit epic tale written by Soḍḍhala in the early 11^th century, revolving around the Nāga princess Udayasundarī and Malayavāhana (king of Pratiṣṭhāna).

context information

Katha (कथा, kathā) refers to narrative Sanskrit literature often inspired from epic legendry (itihasa) and poetry (mahākāvya). Some Kathas reflect socio-political instructions for the King while others remind the reader of important historical event and exploits of the Gods, Heroes and Sages.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Kośātaki (कोशातकि) refers to a type of vegetables fit for use in oblation offerings, according to verse 25.121b-125 of the Īśvarasaṃhitā.

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

kosātakī : (f.) a creeper the fruit of which is eaten; Luffa acutangula.

Kosātakī, (f.) (cp. Sk. kośītakī) a kind of creeper Vv 47⁴; Vism. 256, 260, 359; VvA. 200;—bīja the seed of the k. A. I, 32=V. 212. (Page 230)

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-English dictionary

Kośātakī (कोशातकी).—Name of a tree (paṭoli); Śi.12.37.

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