Masura, Masūra, Māsūra: 19 definitions
Introduction
Introduction:
Masura means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Masur.
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botanyMasūra (मसूर) is a Sanskrit word referring to Lens culinaris (“lentil”). It is a type of legume (śamīdhānya), according to Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Ayurvedic work. It is also known as Masura (मसुर). The plant Masūra is part of the Śamīdhānyavarga group of medicinal plants, referring to the “group of legumes”. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic value of the plant. Masūra is is light, cold, sweet, slightly astringent and roughening in character. It is beneficial for pitta and kapha and useful as pulses and pastes. Besides this, Masūra is constipating. In a different context, the word Masūra can refer to “a pillow”.
According to the Bhāvaprakāśa it has the following synonyms: Maṅgalyaka, Maṅgalyā and Masūrikā. The Bhāvaprakāśa, which is a 16th century medicinal thesaurus authored by Bhāvamiśra.
According to the Mādhavacikitsā (7th century Ayurvedic work), the plant Masūra is mentioned as a medicine used for the treatment of all major fevers (jvara), as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) chapter .
Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval IndiaMasūra (मसूर) refers to “lentils” and is listed as one of the varieties of pulses, according to the Vājasaneyisaṃhitā XVIII.12, and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—In Vedic literature, different varieties of pulses like māṣa (black-gram), mudga (green-gram) and masūra (lentils) were referred to. But it is interesting that for some reason māṣa is not considered edible as it is despised for sacrificial purposes. [...] According to the authors of Purāṇa literature the use of rājamāṣa, masūra, niṣpāva and gram are interdicted in the śrāddha ritual (see Matsyapurāṇa 15.36-38). [...] According to Carakasaṃhitā, pulses such as mudga (green gram), masūra (lentil), caṇaka (hemp) and kalāya (pea) were parched and eaten.
Masūra or “lentils” is mentioned as being beneficial (hita) to the body according to the 17th century Bhojanakutūhala in the dravyaguṇāguṇa-kathana, which contains the discussions on different food articles and their dietetic effects according to the prominent Ayurvedic treatises. Here In the śimbīdhānya (legumes) group masūra (lentil) is mentioned as beneficial to the body (hita).

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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary studyMasūra (मसूर) refers to Cicer lens and forms part of the cosmetics and personal decoration that was once commonly applied to one’s body in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) as mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—Reference is made in the Nīlamata to various sorts of scents, perfumes, unguents, flowers and garlands. For example, Masūra—The powder of Masūra is an unguent (verse 422). Caraka mentions Māṣa and Masūra in Śamīdhānya.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexMasūra (मसूर).—Lentils unfit for śrāddha.*
- * Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 6. 21; III. 16. 7.

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.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: OpenEdition books: Architectural terms contained in Ajitāgama and RauravāgamaMasūra (मसूर) refers to “base §§ 3.14; 4.6.”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)

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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and SubjectsMasūra (मसूर) is the name of a kind of lentil (Ervurn hirsutum) in the Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā and the Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: Jaina YogaMasūra (मसूर, “lentils”) refers to one of the seventeen varieties of dhānya (“grain”) according to Śvetāmbara tradition and listed in Hemacandra’s 12th century Yogaśāstra (verse 3.95). Dhānya represents one of the classes of the external (bahya) division of attachment (parigraha) and is related to the Aparigraha-vrata (vow of non-attachment).

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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryMasūra.—(ML), small-pox. Note: masūra is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarymasūra (मसूर).—f (S) A sort of pulse or lentil, Ervum hirsutum, and Cicer lens.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishmasūra (मसूर).—f A sort of pulse or lentil.
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.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryMasura (मसुर) or Masūra (मसूर).—1 A kind of pulse.
2) A pillow.
-rā 1 A lentil.
2) A harlot.
Derivable forms: masuraḥ (मसुरः), masūraḥ (मसूरः).
--- OR ---
Māsūra (मासूर).—a. (-rī f.)
1) Lentil-shaped.
2) Made of pulse.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryMasura (मसुर).—mf.
(-raḥ-rā) A sort of pulse or lentil, (Ervum hirsutum, or Cicer lens.) f.
(-rā) A whore. E. mas to weigh, Unadi aff. urac; more usually masūra .
--- OR ---
Masūra (मसूर).—mf.
(-raḥ-rā) A sort of pulse or lentil, (Ervum hirsutum, and Cicer lens.) f.
(-rā) 1. A whore. 2. A lentil. f. (-rī) 1. Small pox. 2. A small round pillow. E. mas to weigh, Unadi aff. ūrac, masūra, the pulse; the other meanings refer to this, implying resemblance to the pea in figure, &c.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryMasura (मसुर).—masūra, 1. m., and f. rā, A sort of lentil, Ervum hirsutum, [Suśruta] 1, 24, 9; 26, 1 (?). 2. f. rā, A harlot.
Masura can also be spelled as Masūra (मसूर).
--- OR ---
Māsūra (मासूर).—i. e. masūra + a, adj., f. rī, Consisting, made of lentils or pulse.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryMasūra (मसूर).—[masculine] lentil.
--- OR ---
Māsūra (मासूर).—[feminine] ī lentil-shaped.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Masura (मसुर):—m. a sort of lentil or pulse, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
2) Masurā (मसुरा):—[from masura] a f. See below.
3) [from masura] b f. = masura, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] a harlot, courtezan, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
5) Masūra (मसूर):—[from masura] m. = masura, [Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā] etc. etc.
6) [v.s. ...] a pillow, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
7) [v.s. ...] f(ā and I). See below.
8) Masūrā (मसूरा):—[from masura] f. = masurā, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
9) Māsūra (मासूर):—mf(ī)n. ([from] masūra) lentil-shaped, [Suśruta]
10) made of lentils, [Bhāvaprakāśa]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Masura (मसुर):—[(raḥ-rā)] 1. m. f. A sort of lentil or pulse. f. A whore.
2) Masūra (मसूर):—[(raḥ-rā)] 1. m. f. Idem. f. (rī) Small-pox; small round pillow.
[Sanskrit to German] (Deutsch Wörterbuch)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Böhtlingk and Roth Grosses Petersburger WörterbuchMasura (मसुर):—[Uṇādisūtra 1, 44.]
1) m. Linse [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 2, 9, 3.] [Hārāvalī 133.] [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha 3, 591. fg.] [VIŚVA] bei [UJJVAL.] —
2) f. ā a) dass. — b) Hure [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha] [Medinīkoṣa Rāmāyaṇa 202.] [VIŚVA a. a. O.] [HAṬṬACANDRA] bei [UJJVAL.] zu [Uṇādisūtra 5, 3.] — Vgl. masūra .
--- OR ---
Masūra (मसूर):—(masūra [Uṇādisūtra 5, 3])
1) m. a) Linse [Amarakoṣa 2, 9, 17.] [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 2, 9, 3.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 1170.] [Anekārthasaṃgraha 3, 591.] [Medinīkoṣa Rāmāyaṇa 202.] [Hārāvalī 182.] [Halāyudha 2, 426.] [VIŚVA] bei [UJJVAL.] zu [Uṇādisūtra 1, 44.] [HAṬṬACANDRA] bei dems. zu [5, 3.] [Vājasaneyisaṃhitā 18, 12.] [The Śatapathabrāhmaṇa 14, 9, 3, 22. Scholiast] zu [Kātyāyana’s Śrautasūtrāṇi 176, 1.] [Suśruta 1, 24, 9.] dala [?25, 2. 73, 8. 79, 21. 197, 13. 19. 231, 20. 2, 315, 8. 412, 1. YAMA bei Kullūka zu Manu’s Gesetzbuch 5, 24. Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 41, 2. Mārkāṇḍeyapurāṇa 32, 11.] — b) Kopfkissen [Medinīkoṣa] [Hārāvalī 134.] —
2) f. ā a) Linse. — b) Hure [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha] [Medinīkoṣa] [VIŚVA] und [HAṬṬAC.] —
3) f. ī a) Blattern [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 2, 6, 15.] [Medinīkoṣa] — b) Ipomoea Turpethum R. Br. (trivṛt); auch = raktatrivṛt [Rājanirghaṇṭa im Śabdakalpadruma] — Vgl. masura, māsūra .
--- OR ---
Māsūra (मासूर):—adj. (f. ī) = masūrasyāvayavo vikāro vā gaṇa vilvādi zu [Pāṇini’s acht Bücher 4, 3, 136.] linsenförmig: dhārā [Suśruta 1, 27, 18.] ardhamāsūrī ebend.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryMasūra (मसूर) [Also spelled masur]:—(nf) lentil, a kind of pulses.
...
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Masurabha, Masurada, Masuraka, Masurakarna, Masuraksha, Masurakshita, Masurasamgharama, Masuravidala.
Ends with: Bhasmasura, Dharmashura, Karmashura, Karmmashura, Krishnamasura, Kshemashura, Ranamasura, Samasura, Somashura, Stamberamasura, Vyomasura.
Full-text (+30): Masurika, Masuravidala, Masurasamgharama, Masurakarna, Masuraksha, Masurabha, Mangalyaka, Masuraka, Vanasamkata, Kalyanabija, Supya, Vrihikancana, Masuri, Ranamasura, Krishnamasura, Masur, Kalyanavija, Ragadali, Pittabheshaja, Kalava.
Relevant text
Search found 19 books and stories containing Masura, Masūra, Māsūra, Masurā, Masūrā; (plurals include: Masuras, Masūras, Māsūras, Masurās, Masūrās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)
Chapter 48 - Varūthinī Ekādaśī < [Section 6 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa (Concluding Section)]
Chapter 110 - The Story of Jaya and Vijaya < [Section 6 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa (Concluding Section)]
Chapter 79 - Do’s and Don’t’s for a Devotee of Viṣṇu < [Section 5 - Pātāla-Khaṇḍa (Section on the Nether World)]
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 4: Iatrochemistry (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 64 - Treatment for chronic diarrhea (36): Shambhu-prasada rasa < [Chapter III - Jvaratisara fever with diarrhoea]
Part 27 - Diet in diarrhoea < [Chapter III - Jvaratisara fever with diarrhoea]
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 12 - The Greatness of Śītalā < [Section 1 - Avantīkṣetra-māhātmya]
Chapter 28 - Dharmadatta Attains Salvation < [Section 4 - Kārttikamāsa-māhātmya]
Chapter 6 - Directions for Kārttikavrata < [Section 4 - Kārttikamāsa-māhātmya]
Sushruta Samhita, Volume 6: Uttara-tantra (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)
Chapter VII - Pathology of the diseases of the Pupil < [Canto I - Shalakya-tantra (ears, eyes, nose, mouth and throat)]
Chapter XXXIX - Symptoms and Treatment of Fever (Jvara) < [Canto III - Kaya-chikitsa-tantra (internal medicine)]
Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti) (by K. C. Lalwani)
Part 1 - On the sprouting of corn < [Chapter 7]
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Seventeen kinds of grain < [Notes]