Koshta, Koṣṭa, Kosta, Kōstā: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Koshta means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, biology, Tamil. 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 Koṣṭa can be transliterated into English as Kosta or Koshta, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Shodhganga: Temples of Salem region Up to 1336 ADKoṣṭa (कोष्ट, “niche”) is an architectural decoration sometimes functional and sometimes decorative. Koṣṭa means a ‘niche’, recessed portion in the wall surface. To make the wall surface elegant and to avoid monotony, koṣṭas are provided at regular intervals or at suitable places in the wall. The Texts mention a scheme for installing deities in the niches facing different directions (Mayamata chapter 23).
A koṣṭa may or may not have an architectural frontage, so also a sculpture inside. Depending upon the necessity, a sculpture is placed in a koṣṭa. Koṣṭas are carved in the wall surface slightly above the prati moulding of the adhiṣṭhāna. In the later examples, the koṣṭas extend up to the mahāpaṭṭi of the adhiṣṭhāna cutting through the prati and ūrdhvagala.
Koṣṭas, which are non-functional, are also found on the walls of the temples. These koṣṭas possess shallow niches in them. These niches neither can hold an image inside nor they contain relief of an image on their wall surface.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and DrugsKoshta [কোষ্টা] in the Bengali language is the name of a plant identified with Corchorus capsularis L. from the Tiliaceae (Phalsa) family. For the possible medicinal usage of koshta, you can check this page for potential sources and references, although be aware that any some or none of the side-effects may not be mentioned here, wether they be harmful or beneficial to health.
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)1) Koshta in India is the name of a plant defined with Corchorus olitorius in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices.
2) Koshta is also identified with Saussurea auriculata It has the synonym Theodorea auriculata Kuntze (etc.).
3) Koshta is also identified with Saussurea costus It has the synonym Aplotaxis lappa Decaisne (etc.).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Taxon (1982)
· Archives de Botanique (1833)
· Phytomedicine (2002)
· Willdenowia (2003)
· Nouvelles Archives du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle (1888)
· Repertorium Botanices Systematicae (1843)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Koshta, for example chemical composition, health benefits, extract dosage, side effects, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, 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
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarykōṣṭa (कोष्ट).—n (kuṣṭha S) Costus Arabicus.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusKōṣṭa (ಕೋಷ್ಟ):—
1) [noun] a progressive infectious disease caused by a bacterium (Mycobacterium leprae) that attacks the skin, flesh, nerves, etc, characterised by nodules, ulcers, white scaly scabs, deformities, and the eventual loss of sensation, and is apparently communicated only after long and close contact; leprosy.
2) [noun] any of various contagious skin diseases caused by related varieties of fungus and characterised by itching and the formation of ring-shaped, discoloured patches covered with scales or vesicles; ringworm.
3) [noun] the plant Costus speciosus of Zingiberaceae family; mountain sweet flag.
4) [noun] the plant Saussuria lappa of Asteraceae family.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Tamil dictionary
Source: DDSA: University of Madras: Tamil LexiconKōstā (கோஸ்தா) noun < English coast. Sea-coast; கடற்கரை. [kadarkarai.] (C. G.)
Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Koshtaka, Koshtakolanjana, Koshtakulinjan, Koshtam, Koshtamu, Koshtashuddhi, Koshtaviruddha, Kostam.
Ends with: Bhangalkoshta, Camgalakoshta, Changala koshta, Changalakoshta, Mallakoshta, Prakoshta.
Full-text: Koshti, Jarak kosta, Jarak kosta merah, Changal kostha, Shilikakoshtha, Changala koshta, Mallakoshta, Sramsana, Mallikarjuna, Kothara, Ashtamangalaghrita, Lingodbhavamurti, Kothi, Kotha, Dakshinamurti.
Relevant text
Search found 12 books and stories containing Koshta, Koṣṭa, Kosta, Kōṣṭa, Kōstā, Kostha, Kosthaa, Kaosthaa, Kosda, Kosdha; (plurals include: Koshtas, Koṣṭas, Kostas, Kōṣṭas, Kōstās, Kosthas, Kosthaas, Kaosthaas, Kosdas, Kosdhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Temples of Munnur (Historical Study) (by R. Muthuraman)
Later Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)
Temples in Melakkadambur < [Chapter II - Temples of Kulottunga I’s Time]
Temples in Kaniyamur < [Chapter II - Temples of Kulottunga I’s Time]
Temples in Kannanur Koppam < [Chapter XVIII - Chola-Hoysala Phase]
Middle Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)
Temples in Seramadevi < [Chapter II - Temples of Rajaraja I’s Time]
Temples in Esalam < [Chapter II - Temples of Rajaraja I’s Time]
Temples in Tirumangalam < [Chapter II - Temples of Rajaraja I’s Time]
Early Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)
Vimana and Vimana-devatas < [Chapter XIII - Prasada: Component Parts]
Temples in Tiruvamattur (3rd year) < [Chapter X - Historical Survey]
Torana < [Chapter XIII - Prasada: Component Parts]
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Minerals (uparasa) (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 7 - Extraction of essence of mica < [Chapter I - Uparasa (1): Abhra or Abhraka (mica)]