Leaf, Leaves: 7 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
See also
Buy products

Introduction:

Leaf means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity. 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.

Images (photo gallery)

(+52 more images available)

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Worship of leaves (in Sanskrit: patra) formed a part of the Navarātra Tantric ritual (an autumnal festival of the warrior goddess Caṇḍikā).—The sixth (ṣaṣṭhī) and the seventh (saptamī) lunar days involve awakening the goddess in a bilva tree (bodhana), worship of goddess as Cāmuṇḍā and Kālī in the branch, summoning her nine radiations in nine leaves (navapatrapūjā/patrikāpūjā), enlivening an unfired clay image of the goddess (prāṇapratiṣṭhā).—Various 8th century sources refer to rituals such as the worship of leaves, for example: Devīpurāṇa, Kālikāpurāṇa, Kṛtyakalpataru, Durgābhaktitaraṅgiṇī, Durgāpūjātattva, Durgāpūjāviveka, Bhadrakālīmantravidhiprakaraṇa in Sanderson (2007); account of the Durgā Pūjā in Kelomal, West Bengal (Nicholas 2013).

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Leaves (in Sanskrit Śāka) were tradtionally used in the art of cooking, as part of the “sixty four kinds of Art”, according to the Kamasutra of Vatsyayana.—Cf. the Sanskrit Vicitraśākayūṣabhakṣyavikārakriyā.—Indian tradition, basically includes sixty four Art forms are acknowledged. The history of Indian Art covers approximately five thousand years which presents a rich and almost continuous record. The references of sixty four kinds of Kala (कला, kalā) are found in the Bhagavatapurana, Shaiva-Tantras, Kamasutra of Vatsyayana etc.

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana

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.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Leaves (as found in nature) were commonly used for Ornaments (in Indian Dramas), as conveyed through the Alaṃkāra division of Āhāryābhinaya: one of the four divisions of Abhinaya or “ways to convey or represent one’s emotion to others”, according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—In the Sanskrit dramas ornaments like ear-rings, bracelets, head-gears etc. are seen to be collected from nature. This is informed in many of the Sanskrit dramas. In the Abhijñānaśakuntala, as for example, Śakuntalā is seen to wear flowers, leaves etc. as her ornaments. She is also seen to remain dependant upon nature for her garments. She was wearing the skin of tree as her daily garment. Her clothes were supplied by trees.

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (natya)

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Leaves refers to class of natural objects and phenomenon which follows specific guidelines in the tradition of ancient Indian Painting (citra), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—From the ancient period till today, many natural objects [like leaves, ...] always seem to inspire the artist to make beautiful creations. Even the sages in the Vedic period used to see the surroundings and could visualise everything as portraits in the mind. The Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa bears an elaborate description on the process of making the picture of some natural objects and phenomenon, e.g., Leaves. Thus, the book addresses various elements of nature, such as a Leaf, since painting has much connection with time, mood and activity.

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (shilpa)

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Agriculture (Krishi) and Vrikshayurveda (study of Plant life)

The “Leaf” part of plants is known in Sanskrit as Patra, which represents a technical term related to the morphology branch of “plant science”, which ultimately involves the study of life history of plants, including its origin and development, their external and internal structures and the relation of the members of the plant body with one another.—These terms (e.g., patra—leaf) are defined in the Vrikshayurveda of Parashara, which gives detailed information on plant morphology, and ancient Sanskrit literature such as the Vājasaneyī Saṃhitā, Taittirīya Saṃhitā and Viṣṇupurana. [...] Thus, the ancient Indian scientists studied plant life particularly from Morphological aspect.

Source: academia.edu: Plant Morphology as depicted in Sanskrit texts

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.

Relevant text

Search found 629 books and stories containing Leaf, Leaves, The leaf; (plurals include: Leaves, Leaveses, The leaves). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Influence of Plant Leaf Moisture Content on Retention of... < [Volume 13, Issue 21 (2021)]

Modelling Climate Using Leaves of Nothofagus cunninghamii—Overcoming... < [Volume 15, Issue 9 (2023)]

A Quantitative Index for Evaluating Maize Leaf Wilting and Its Sustainable... < [Volume 16, Issue 14 (2024)]

+ 12177 more chapters / show preview

Pharmacognostic and phytochemical properties of Dacryodes klaineana. < [2022: Volume 11, April issue 4]

Anatomical studies of schleichera oleosa (lour.) oken < [2015: Volume 4, December issue 12]

Antibacterial and DPPH Radical Scavenging of Coriandrum Sativum Leaf Extracts < [2012: July issue 3]

+ 6225 more chapters

Forest Roles in Particle Removal during Spring Dust Storms on Transport Path < [Volume 17, Issue 2 (2020)]

Study on the Adsorption Capacities for Airborne Particulates of Landscape... < [Volume 12, Issue 8 (2015)]

Investigation of the Inhibitory Effects of Mangrove Leaves and Analysis of... < [Volume 15, Issue 11 (2018)]

+ 4085 more chapters / show preview