Nirgundi, aka: Nirguṇḍī; 6 Definition(s)

Introduction

Introduction
In Hinduism
Languages
1. Marathi
Relevant definitions
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Nirgundi means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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.

In Hinduism

Rasashastra (chemistry and alchemy)

Nirguṇḍī (निर्गुण्डी):—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.

Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstra

context information

Rasashastra (रसशास्त्र, rasaśāstra) is an important branch of Ayurveda, specialising in chemical interactions with herbs, metals and minerals. Some texts combine yogic and tantric practices with various alchemical operations. The ultimate goal of Rasashastra is not only to preserve and prolong life, but also to bestow wealth upon humankind.

Ayurveda (science of life)

1) Nirguṇḍī (निर्गुण्डी) is a Sanskrit word referring to Vitex negundo, a large shrub from the Lamiaceae (mint) family of flowering plants. It is used throughout Āyurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā and the Suśruta-saṃhitā. In English, the plant is known as “horseshoe vitex” or “Chinese chastetree”, among others. Two varieties are recognized: one with pale blue flowers (Śvetapuṣpī), and the other with blue flowers (Puṣpanāṭika (?)). Among the Tamils, one of these plants is supposed to be male and the other female, and for this reason they are usually combined together in their prescriptions. In the Nighantas, Nirguṇḍī is described as cephalic, pungent, astringent, bitter and light; a remedy for colic, swellings, rheumatism, worms, leprosy, dyspepsia, phlegm and boils.

Nirguṇḍī is classified as a synonym for Sinduvāra by Amarasiṃha in his Amarakośa (a Sanskrit botanical thesaurus from the 4^th century). It can also be spelled as Nirguṇṭī.

This plant (Nirguṇḍī) 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) Nirguṇḍī (निर्गुण्डी) is another name for Śephālikā (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis “night-flowering jasmine”), from the Apocynaceae family. The term is used throughout Āyurvedic literature such as the Carakasaṃhitā. This synonym was identified by Amarasiṃha in his Amarakośa (a Sanskrit botanical thesaurus from the 4^th century).

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

Nirguṇḍī (निर्गुण्डी).—The Sanskrit name for an important Āyurvedic drug combination.—Nirguṇḍī is pungent, bitter, hot, pacifies kapha and vāta and destroys worms. Its leaf-juice is useful in kuṣṭha, oedema and āmavāta (theumatoid arthritis).

Source: Google Books: Essentials of Ayurveda

context information

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)

Nirguṇḍī (निर्गुण्डी) is the name of a plant which is used in the worship of Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.14:—“[...] with Nirguṇḍī flowers (kusuma), his mind becomes pure (nirmalatā) in the world. A hundred thousand Bilva leaves used for worship will secure the fulfilment of all desires (sarvakāma). [...] Karavīra flowers measure three times that. Scholars say that the flowers of Nirguṇḍī too measure likewise. In Karṇikāra and Śirīṣa flowers too, the same mode of calculation holds good. Ten prasthas of Bandhujīva flowers constitute a hundred thousand. [...] The devotee shall perform the worship of Śiva with different flowers after considering these modes of calculation for the fulfilment of desires if he has any or for the sake of salvation if he has no desire”.

Source: archive.org: Siva Purana - English Translation

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

nirguṇḍī (निर्गुंडी).—f S pop. nirguṇḍa f or nirgūḍa f or nirguḍī f A shrub, Vitex negundo or trifolia. It is distinguished into kātarī nirguḍī & sādī nirguḍī. The leaves are used in fumigations.

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

nirguṇḍī (निर्गुंडी).—f nirguṇḍa f nirgūḍa f or nirguḍī f A shrub, vitex negundo or trifolia.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

context information

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.

Relevant definitions

Starts with: Nirgundikusuma, Nirgundipushpa.

Full-text (+7): Niraguda, Niragudi, Niragunda, Surasadi, Niguda, Niggundi, Nirgundikusuma, Surasashta, Nirgundipushpa, Nirgunthi, Pancabhringa, Sarvakama, Suvaha, Nirmalata, Nirgunti, Shirisha, Shephalika, Bandhujiva, Karavirapushpa, Karnikarapushpa.

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Search found 13 books and stories containing Nirgundi, Nirguṇḍī; (plurals include: Nirgundis, Nirguṇḍīs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Part 2 - Purification of Lead < [Chapter VII - Metals (7): Sisaka (lead)]

Part 2 - Purification of copper < [Chapter III - Metals (3): Tamra (copper)]

Part 2 - Purification of tin < [Chapter VI - Metals (6): Vanga (tin)]

+ 11 more chapters / show preview

Treatment for fever (138): Svachchhanda-nayaka rasa < [Chapter II - Fever (jvara)]

Treatment for fever (72): Sannipata-kuthara rasa < [Chapter II - Fever (jvara)]

Part 15 - Treatment for indigestion (13): Panchamrita rasa < [Chapter IV - Irregularity of the digesting heat]

+ 44 more chapters / show preview

Chapter CXCVII - Preparations of medicinal oils and Ghritas < [Dhanvantari Samhita]

Chapter CXCIII - Medical treatment of fever etc < [Dhanvantari Samhita]

Chapter CCXXVII - Different names of the Ayurvedic Drugs < [Dhanvantari Samhita]

+ 3 more chapters / show preview