Madhuka, aka: Madhukā; 5 Definition(s)

Introduction

Madhuka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. Check out some of the following descriptions and leave a comment if you want to add your own contribution to this article.

In Hinduism

Purāṇa

Madhuka (मधुक).—A Bhārgava and Madhyamādhvaryu.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 33. 16.

Dharmaśāstra (religious law)

Madhuka (मधुक) is a Sanskrit word, possibly identified with Bassia latifolia (mahua) by various scholars in their translation of the Śukranīti. This tree is mentioned as having thorns, and should therefore be considerd as wild. The King shoud place such trees in forests (not in or near villages). He should nourish them by stoole of goats, sheep and cows, water as well as meat. Note that Bassia latifolia is a synonym of Madhuca longifolia.

The following is an ancient Indian horticultural recipe for the nourishment of such trees:

According to Śukranīti 4.4.110-112: “The powder of the dungs of goats and sheep, the powder of Yava (barley), Tila (seeds), beef as well as water should be kept together (undisturbed) for seven nights. The application of this water leads very much to the growth in flowers and fruits of all trees (such as madhuka).”

Āyurveda (science of life)

1) Madhūka (मधूक):—A Sanskrit word referring to Madhuca indica, a species of tropical tree from the Sapotaceae family of flowering plants. It can also be spelled as Madhuka. In English, this plant is known as the “butter tree”. It is used throughout Āyurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. It is a deciduous tree with odorous lightly yellow flowers. It bears greenish fruits which are cultivated. The distilled spirit of the flowers are known among adivasis (Santals in particular).

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

2) Madhuka (मधुक):—A Sanskrit word referring to “liquorice”, a perennial herb from the  Fabaceae (pea/bean) family of flowering plants. It is used throughout Āyurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. It is also known as Madhūka (मधूक), Madhukā (मधुका) or Yaṣṭimadhuka (यष्टिमधुक). Its official botanical name is Glycyrrhiza glabra and is commonly referred to in english as liquorice or ‘sweet root’. It grows best in deep valleys with lots of sun. The sweet flavour is extracted from the root of the plant.

This plant (Madhuka) 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 also known by the name Yaṣṭimadhu.

In Buddhism

Pali

Madhukā, (f.) (fr. madhuka) honey drink, sweet drink, liquor Mhvs 5, 52. (Page 519)

— or —

Madhuka, (adj. n.) (fr. madhu) connected with honey. 1. (n.) the tree Bassia latifolia (lit. honey tree) Vin. I, 246; J. V, 324, 405; VI, 529; Miln. 165.—2. the fruit of that tree J. IV, 434.—3. (adj.) (-°) full of honey J. VI, 529 (madhu° containing honey).—4. connected with an intoxicating drink, given to the drink of (-°) J. IV, 117 (surā-meraya°).

—aṭṭhika the kernel (of the fruit) of Bassia latifolia Vism. 353=KhA 43 (which latter reads madhukaphal’aṭṭhi; in the description of the finger nails). —puppha the flower of Bassia latifolia from which honey is extracted for liquor Vin. I, 246 (°rasa liquorice juice); J. I, 430. (Page 519)

madhuka : (m.) the tree Bassia Latifolia. || madhukā (f.) liquorice.

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