Nilotpala, Nīlotpalā, Nīlotpala: 27 definitions
Introduction:
Nilotpala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, biology. 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)
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
Nīlotpalā (नीलोत्पला):—One of the sixty-seven Mahauṣadhi, as per Rasaśāstra texts (rasa literature). These drugs are useful for processing mercury (rasa), such as the alchemical processes known as sūta-bandhana and māraṇa.
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल) refers to the medicinal plant known as “Nymphaea stellata Willd.” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning nīlotpala] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) which is a branch of pharmacology (dravyaguṇa).
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)
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल) refers to the lotus and represents flowers (puṣpa) once commonly used in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) as mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa verse 62 and 339. The lotus is also called by the names Kamala, Jalaja (verse 45), Padma, and Nīlanalina, Jātī (verse 429), Irā (verse 673-675ff.) and Kunda (verse 495).
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल) refers to “blue lilies”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.22. Accordingly as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] On the top of the mountain near the city of Himālaya (śailarājapura), Śiva sported about for a long time in the company of Satī. [...] It shone with grassy plains and plenty of trees. There were various flowers in abundance. It had many lakes. The boughs of the full-blown and blossomed trees were surrounded by humming bees. Lotuses and blue lilies (nīlotpala) were in full bloom”.
Nīlotpalā (नीलोत्पला).—A river of the Bhāratavarṣa.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 45. 100.
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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल) refers to the “blue lotus” or “blue lily” and represents one of the several “attributes” (āyudha) or “accessories” of a detiy commonly seen depicted in Hindu iconography, defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—The śilpa texts have classified the various accessories under the broad heading of āyudha or karuvi (implement), including even flowers, animals, and musical instruments. Flowers, such as the padma, (lotus), and the nīlotpala, (the blue lily) are to be generally seen in the hands of the images of goddesses especially in the hands of goddesses Lakṣmī and Bhūmīdevī.
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल) or “blue lotus” refers to a particular shade of the green color, created through the principles of the ancient Indian tradition of 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. In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, five colours are regarded as the primary ones. A painter can create hundreds or thousands of colours by amalgamating the primary ones. Many shades of a particular colour also can be created by increasing or decreasing the quantity of the white part in the mixture. [...] The colour of nīlotpala i.e., the blue lotus and māṣa i.e., bean can be created when blue is amalgamated with light whitish yellow in more, less or in equal.
Nilotpala (निलोत्पल) refers to the “blue-lily colour”, according to the Śrītattvanidhi (verse 2.19-42) citing the Pāñcarātrāgama-Kriyapāda.—Mādhava’s Mien is like blue-lily (nilotpala), garments of many colours and eyes like lotus flowers. According to the Caturviṃśatimūrtilakṣaṇa, The Pāñcarātra tradition (describing Keśava) got a stronghold over the Vaiṣṇava tradition by about the fourth century CE, e.g. the Ahirbhūdhnya-saṃhitā and so its impact on the Tamil Paripāṭal and hymns of the Āḻvārs is quite natural.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल) refers to a “blue lotus”, according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult. Accordingly, “O goddess, Svacchanda is in the middle, within the abode of the triangle. Very powerful, he has five faces with three times five flaming eyes. [...] O beautiful lady, this, the western one, is yellow like vermillion mixed with musk. Divine, it generates great energy. (The southern face) is somewhat fierce with large sharp teeth and long red eyes. It is blue like a blue lotus [i.e., nīlotpala-nibha] and blue collyrium. Beautiful and fierce, he wears a gem and a snake and his hair is brown. He is called Aghora, contemplating (him) he bestows success in every enterprise”.
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल) (Cf. Indīvara) refers to “blue lotuses”, according to the 13th-century Matsyendrasaṃhitā: a Kubjikā-Tripurā oriented Tantric Yoga text of the Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava tradition from South India.—Accordingly, “[Visualisation of Parameśvara]:—[...] He is in the prime of his youth and has all the auspicious characteristics. He has the great Ajagava bow placed on his left side. On his right, he has five glowing arrows. He is shining like a blue lotus (indīvara). On his chest there is a glittering garland of blue lotuses (nīlotpala). He is the Lord. [...]”.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल) refers to the “blue water-lily”, and represents a technical term occurring in the Gaṇitasāra-saṅgraha—an ancient Sanskrit text dealing with ancient Indian algebra and mathematical problems written by Mahāvīra (Mahāvīrācārya) in the 9th century.
Ganita (गणित) or Ganitashastra refers to the ancient Indian science of mathematics, algebra, number theory, arithmetic, etc. Closely allied with astronomy, both were commonly taught and studied in universities, even since the 1st millennium BCE. Ganita-shastra also includes ritualistic math-books such as the Shulba-sutras.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल) refers to the Blue Lotus flower according to the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV).—Of all the terrestrial flowers, jasmine (mallikā) is the most beautiful; of all the aquatic flowers, blue lotus (nīlotpala) is the most beautiful.
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल) refers to a “blue lotus” (suitable for an offering ceremony), according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly [as the Bhagavān taught the detailed offering-manual], “The wise one should prepare a pill having mixed padmaka, arka, blue lotus (nīlotpala), orpiment, mixed copper powder, mustard seed, indrahasta and palāśa with sugar juice. Having enchanted with the mantra eighty times, pills measuring a jujube fruit should be made. [...]”.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Nīlotpalā (नीलोत्पला) is the name of a Ḍākinī who, together with the Vīra (hero) named Nīlotpala forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the Jñānacakra, according to the 10th century Ḍākārṇava chapter 15. Accordingly, the jñānacakra refers to one of the three divisions of the saṃbhoga-puṭa (‘enjoyment layer’), situated in the Herukamaṇḍala. The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs [viz., Nīlotpalā] and Vīras are white in color; the shapes of their faces are in accordance with their names; they have four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife.
Nilotpala (निलोत्पल) refers to a “blue lotus”, according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “Locanī, having a golden color, arrow and shining appearance, Māmakī, having a dark-blue color, water, grain and a bouquet, Pāṇḍarā, having a red color, and drawing a bow and arrow, Holy goddess Ārya Tārā, having a green color and blue lotus (nilotpalāṃ dharā devī)”.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
Biology (plants and animals)
Nilotpala [ನೀಲೋತ್ಪಲ] in the Kannada language is the name of a plant identified with Pontederia vaginalis Burm.f. from the Pontederiaceae (Pickerel weed) family having the following synonyms: Monochoria vaginalis, Pontederia cordata Lour., Pontederia pauciflora. For the possible medicinal usage of nilotpala, 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.
Nilotpala [नीलोत्पल] in the Konkani language, ibid. previous identification.
Nilotpala [नीलोत्पल] in the Marathi language, ibid. previous identification.
1) Nilotpala in India is the name of a plant defined with Nymphaea cyanea in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Nymphaea cyanea Roxb. & G. Don.
2) Nilotpala is also identified with Nymphaea lotus It has the synonym Castalia mystica Salisb. (etc.).
3) Nilotpala is also identified with Nymphaea nouchali It has the synonym Nymphaea bernierana Planch. (etc.).
4) Nilotpala is also identified with Nymphaea rubra It has the synonym Nymphaea rubra Roxb. ex Salisb..
5) Nilotpala is also identified with Nymphaea stellata It has the synonym Nymphaea stellata F. Muell..
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Fragm. (Mueller) (1861)
· Cytologia (1980)
· J. Cytol. Genet. (1971)
· Species Plantarum, ed. 4
· Species Plantarum.
· Hortus Bengalensis, or ‘a Catalogue of the Plants Growing in the Hounourable East India Company's Botanical Garden at Calcutta’ (1814)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Nilotpala, for example diet and recipes, health benefits, extract dosage, chemical composition, pregnancy safety, side effects, 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
Sanskrit dictionary
Nīlotpalā (नीलोत्पला).—name of an apsaras: Kāraṇḍavvūha 3.15.
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल).—n.
(-laṃ) A blue lotus. (Nymphæa cærulea.) E. nīla blue, and utpala a lotus.
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल).—m. a blue lotus, Nymphæa cyanea Roxb., [Rāmāyaṇa] 4, 44, 91.
Nīlotpala is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms nīla and utpala (उत्पल).
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल).—[neuter] blue lotus.
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल):—[from nīla > nīl] n. a blue lotus, Nymphaea Cyanea, [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल):—[nīlo+tpala] (laṃ) 1. n. A blue lotus.
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल):—(nīla + utpala) n. die blaue Wasserrose, Nymphaea cyanea Roxb. [Halāyudha.3,59.] [Mahābhārata.3,12879.] [Rāmāyaṇa.4,44,91.] [Suśruta.1,140,20. 22,21.2,120,2.] [Śākuntala 17.] [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 28,9. 31,21. 42] [?(43),33. 49,7. 53,22. 67,66. Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 48. Prabodhacandrodaja 78,15. Bhāgavatapurāṇa.5,24,10. Oxforder Handschriften 183,b,6 v. u.]
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल):——
1) n. eine blaue Wasserrose , die Blüthe von Nymphaea cyanca. —
2) f. ā — a) ein Rāga von sechs Tönen [Saṃgitasārasaṃgraha 93.] — b) Nomen proprium einer Apsaras [Kāraṇḍavyūha 3,15.]
Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Ṇīluppala.
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Nīlōtpala (ನೀಲೋತ್ಪಲ):—
1) [noun] the lotus plant Nymphaea stellata of Nymphaeaceae family.
2) [noun] its flower; blue lotus.
--- OR ---
Nīḷōtpaḷa (ನೀಳೋತ್ಪಳ):—[noun] = ನೀಲೋತ್ಪಲ [nilotpala].
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Utpala, Nila.
Starts with: Nilotpaladala, Nilotpaladhara, Nilotpalagandha, Nilotpalam, Nilotpalamaya.
Full-text (+38): Nilotpalamaya, Ni lu bo luo, Nilotpalagandha, Karnanilotpala, Ni luo wu bo luo, Vikasinilotpala, Pravatanilotpala, Nilotpaladala, Nilotpalam, Anjanadi, Padma, Niluppala, Vikasinilotpal, Nilotpalin, Nilotpalini, Ni luo ou bo luo, Nilotpaladhara, Kandotta, Indivara, Panceshu.
Relevant text
Search found 64 books and stories containing Nilotpala, Nila-utpala, Nīla-utpala, Nīlotpalā, Nīlotpala, Nīlōtpala, Nīḷōtpaḷa; (plurals include: Nilotpalas, utpalas, Nīlotpalās, Nīlotpalas, Nīlōtpalas, Nīḷōtpaḷas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Krishna Sandarbha of Jiva Goswami (by Kusakratha Prabhu)
Verse 106.37 < [Anuccheda 106]
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 11.33 < [Chapter 11 - Additional Ornaments]
Text 10.209 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Text 10.251 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)
Chapter 360 - Synonyms denoting the celestial region and the nether world
Atharvaveda and Charaka Samhita (by Laxmi Maji)
4b. Leprosy (Kuṣṭha) in the Caraka-saṃhitā < [Chapter 5 - Diseases and Remedies in Atharvaveda and Caraka-Saṃhitā]
2b. Tuberculosis (Yakṣmā or Rājayakṣmā) in the Caraka-Saṃhita < [Chapter 5 - Diseases and Remedies in Atharvaveda and Caraka-Saṃhitā]
Unmāda (insanity) according to Caraka < [Chapter 4 - Diseases and Remedial measures (described in Caraka-saṃhitā)]
Liberation in early Advaita Vedanta (by Aleksandar Uskokov)
5. The Categories of “That” and “You” < [Chapter 8 - Vedānta-Vākya and the Identity Statements]
4. The Problem of Language < [Chapter 8 - Vedānta-Vākya and the Identity Statements]
6. The Identity Statement Context < [Chapter 8 - Vedānta-Vākya and the Identity Statements]
Ganitatilaka (Sanskrit text and English introduction) (by H. R. Kapadia)
Page 129 < [Sanskrit Text of the Ganitatilaka]
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