In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa

Mahākadambā (महाकदम्बा).—Name of a river (nadī) situated near the seven great mountains on the western side of mount Naiṣadha, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 83. These settlements consume the water flowing from these seven great mountains (Viśākha, Kambala, Jayanta, Kṛṣṇa, Harita, Aśoka and Vardhamāna). Niṣadha (Naiṣadha) is one of the seven mountains located in Jambūdvīpa, ruled over by Āgnīdhra, a grandson of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Mahākadamba (महाकदम्ब).—A tree standing on the tall peak of Supārśva mountain. The Purāṇas declare that five big rivers take their sources from the hollow trunk of this big tree. These rivers fall on the top of Supārśva mountain and flow through the western side of Ilāvṛta. The region around this place to a distance of a hundred yojanas is filled with the fragrant air breathed out by the gods who feed upon the essence of the waters in these rivers. The Devī who lives in this sacred place is called "Dhāreśvarī". (Devī Bhāgavata, 8th Skandha).

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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Mahākadamba (महाकदम्ब) is the name of a gandharva god according to the Śvetāmbara tradition, while the Digambara does not recognize this. The gandharvas refer to a category of vyantaras gods which represents one of the four classes of celestial beings (devas). The gandharvas have a golden appearance according to the Digambaras and the Tumbaru tree is their caitya-vṛkṣa (sacred-tree). They have a blackish complexion and are beautiful in appearance, have excellent physiognomy, sweet voices and are adorned with crowns and neckalces according to the Śvetāmbaras.

The deities such as Mahākadamba are defined in ancient Jain cosmological texts such as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition or the Tiloyapaṇṇati by Yativṛṣabha (5th century) in the Digambara tradition.

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.

Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

Mahakadamba in India is the name of a plant defined with Haldina cordifolia in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Nauclea sterculiifolia A. Rich. ex DC.) (Adina Salisb., from the Greek adinos ‘clustered, plentiful, crowded’, referring to the clustered flowers. (among others).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Genera Plantarum (1873)
· Blumea (1978)
· Plants of the Coast of Coromandel (1795)
· Forest Fl. N.W. India (1874)
· The Paradisus Londinensis (1807)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Mahakadamba, for example side effects, chemical composition, pregnancy safety, health benefits, extract dosage, diet and recipes, have a look at these references.

context information

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with: Mahakadambaka.

Full-text: Gandharva, Suparshva.

Relevant text

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