Nilotpala, Nīlotpalā, Nīlotpala: 26 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.

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In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

[«previous next»] — Nilotpala in Ayurveda glossary

Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)

Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstra

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)

Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgraha

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 and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes.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).

Ayurveda book cover
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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.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Nilotpala in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study

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).

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

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”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Nīlotpalā (नीलोत्पला).—A river of the Bhāratavarṣa.*

  • * Vāyu-purāṇa 45. 100.
Purana book cover
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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.

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Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

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.

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

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.

Source: academia.edu: Dvādaśa-mūrti in Tamil Tradition (iconography)

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 book cover
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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.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Nilotpala in Shaivism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram (shaivism)

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”.

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

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. [...]”.

Shaivism book cover
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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.

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In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Nilotpala in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

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.

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

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 book cover
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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.

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Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: academia.edu: The Structure and Meanings of the Heruka Maṇḍala

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.

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

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 book cover
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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.

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Biology (plants and animals)

[«previous next»] — Nilotpala in Biology glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and Drugs

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.

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

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.

Biology book cover
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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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Nilotpala in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Nīlotpalā (नीलोत्पला).—name of an apsaras: Kāraṇḍavvūha 3.15.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल).—n.

(-laṃ) A blue lotus. (Nymphæa cærulea.) E. nīla blue, and utpala a lotus.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

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).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल).—[neuter] blue lotus.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल):—[from nīla > nīl] n. a blue lotus, Nymphaea Cyanea, [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल):—[nīlo+tpala] (laṃ) 1. n. A blue lotus.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Nīlotpala (नीलोत्पल) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Ṇīluppala.

[Sanskrit to German]

Nilotpala in German

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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.

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Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Nilotpala in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Nīlōtpala (ನೀಲೋತ್ಪಲ):—

1) [noun] the lotus plant Nymphaea stellata of Nymphaeaceae family.

2) [noun] its flower; blue lotus.

--- OR ---

Nīḷōtpaḷa (ನೀಳೋತ್ಪಳ):—[noun] = ನೀಲೋತ್ಪಲ [nilotpala].

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Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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