Palasha, Palāśa, Palāsa, Palasa, Palāśā, Pālāśa, Pala-asha: 48 definitions

Introduction:

Palasha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi, 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.

The Sanskrit terms Palāśa and Palāśā and Pālāśa can be transliterated into English as Palasa or Palasha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Plash.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: archive.org: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)

One of the Hands indicating Trees.—Pālāsa, the Ardha-candra hand.

Natyashastra book cover
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Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

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Ayurveda (science of life)

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

Source: Wisdom Library: Raj Nighantu

1) Palāśa (पलाश) refers to the “leaves” of a tree or plant, as mentioned in a list of seven synonyms, according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). The Dharaṇyādi-varga covers the lands, soil, mountains, jungles and vegetation’s relations between trees [viz., Palāśa] and plants and substances, with their various kinds.

2) Palāśa (पलाश) is the name of a tree (Ḍhāka) that is associated with the Nakṣatra (celestial star) named Pūrvā-Phālgunī, according to the same chapter. Accordingly, “these [trees] are propounded in Śāstras, the secret scriptures (śāstrāgama). These pious trees [viz, Palāśa], if grown and protected, promote long life”. These twenty-seven trees related to the twenty-seven Nakṣatras are supposed to be Deva-vṛkṣas or Nakṣatra-vṛkṣas.

Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)

Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval India

Palāśa (पलाश) refers to the “Butea frondosa” and is mentioned as a source of fuel for boiling water (jala), according to the 17th century Bhojanakutūhala (dravyaguṇāguṇa-kathana), and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—[...]. It is interesting to note that the properties of boiled water based on the fuel used to boil the same are described. The fuels discussed here are [viz., palāśa (Butea frondosa)]

The food-utensils that are made of Palāśa-patra (Butea frondosa leaf) have the following dietetic effects: kaphavātapīnasaghna, rucya and bṛṃhaṇa (alleviates phlegm and vāta, cures pīnasa, improves taste and promotes health).

Cikitsa (natural therapy and treatment for medical conditions)

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Botanical identification of plants described in Mādhava Cikitsā

Palāśa (पलाश) refers to the medicinal plant Butea monosperma (Lamk.), and is used in the treatment of atisāra (diarrhoea), according to the 7th century Mādhavacikitsā chapter 2. Atisāra refers to a condition where there are three or more loose or liquid stools (bowel movements) per day or more stool than normal.  The second chapter of the Mādhavacikitsā explains several preparations [including Palāśa] through 60 Sanskrit verses about treating this problem.

Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)

Source: archive.org: Science And Technology In Medievel India (kalpa)

Palāsa (पलास) or Palāsakalpa refers to Kalpa (medicinal preparation) described in the Auṣadhikalpa, as mentioned in A. Rahman’s Science and Technology in Medievel India: A bibliography of source materials in Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian.—Ancient and medieval India produced a wide range of scientific manuscripts and major contributions lie in the field of medicine, astronomy and mathematics, besides covering encyclopedic glossaries and technical dictionaries.—The Auṣadhikalpa is a medical work of the type of Materia Medica giving twenty-six medical preparations [e.g., Palāsa-kalpa] to be used as patent medicines against various diseases.

Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgraha

Palāśa (पलाश) refers to the medicinal plant known as “Butea monosperma (Linn.) Kuntze.” 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 palāśa] 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).

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Palāśa (पलाश) is the name of an ingredient used in the treatment of snake-bites such as those caused by the Mahāmaṇḍalī-snakes, according to the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—Accordingly, one of the treatments is mentioned as follows: “The bite victim can be given a paste made out of the bark of Vetasa, Arjuna, the shell of Suraṭha and jaggery. A measure of the combination of powdered Vega, Phalgu and Palāśa can be used internally as a drink and externally as ointment”.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

Palāśa (पलाश) is a Sanskrit word referring to the “Bastard teak” tree from the Fabaceae family, and is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. It is also known as Kiṃśuka. Its official botanical name is Butea monosperma and is commonly known in English as “Flame of the Forest”, “Bastard teak”, “Parrot tree” among many others. It has various songs and legends associated with it, for example, it is said that the tree is a form of Agni (God of Fire).

Source: Google Books: Essentials of Ayurveda

Palāśa (पलाश).—The Sanskrit name for an important Ayurvedic drug.—The tree blossoms in spring with blood-red flowers, the flower is astringent and checks diarrhoea. The seed is flat and anthelmintic.

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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Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-śāstra

Palāśa (पलाश) is a Sanskrit word, identified with Butea frondosa (flame-of-the-forest) by various scholars in their translation of the Śukranīti. This tree is mentioned as having thorns, and should therefore be considered as wild. The King shoud place such trees in forests (not in or near villages). He should nourish them by stoole of goats, sheep and cows, water as well as meat. Note that Butea frondosa is a synonym of Butea monosperma.

The following is an ancient Indian horticultural recipe for the nourishment of such trees:

According to Śukranīti 4.4.110-112: “The powder of the dungs of goats and sheep, the powder of Yava (barley), Tila (seeds), beef as well as water should be kept together (undisturbed) for seven nights. The application of this water leads very much to the growth in flowers and fruits of all trees (such as palāśa).”

Dharmashastra book cover
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Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Palāśa (पलाश) refers to a type of flower, described in the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.21. Accordingly as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] When Kāma (God of Love) reached the vicinity of Śiva, Spring spread all his splendour in accord with the inclination of the lord. [...] The Palāśa flowers resembling the hue of the twilight (sandhyā) and shaped like the crescent moon (ardracandra) shone like the flowery arrows of Kāma at the feet of trees”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Palāśā (पलाशा).—A river of the Ketumālā country.*

  • * Vāyu-purāṇa 44. 18.
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Palāśa (पलाश) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.31) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Palāśa) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

Pālāsa (पालास) wood is used for brushing the teeth in the months Śravaṇa and Bhādrapada for the Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī-Vrata, according to the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, the Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī-vrata is observed in honour of Śiva. [...] It starts from the month of Mārgaśira. It is observed on the eighth tithi of the dark fortnight and for a year.—In Śravaṇa the tooth-brush is pālāsa-wood, deity is Śarva, food is arkapatra and the result is the region of Śiva. In the Bhādrapada the deity to be worshipped is Tryambaka the food is vilvapatra, result is the same as that of consecration in all sacrifices (sarvadīkṣāphala).

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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Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: ISKCON Desire Tree: Shri Haribhaktivilasa

Palāśa (पलाश) refers to a type of tree according to the Śrī Haribhaktivilāsa 16.60.—Accordingly, “the palāśa tree, which is called by the name Brahma, fulfills all desires. O best of sages, a Śūdra should avoid the middle leaf of the palāśa tree. A Śūdra who eats from such a middle-leaf plate goes to hell for as long as the fourteen Indras live. [...] During the month of Kārttika giving sesame seeds in charity, bathing in a sacred river, talking about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, serving the devotees, and eating prasāda from a palāśa-leaf plate, all grant liberation”.

Vaishnavism book cover
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Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

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Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Google Books: Studies in the History of the Exact Sciences (Astronomy)

Palāśa (पलाश) [=Parāśa?] refers to one of the items offered to the nine planets (navagraha), according to the grahaśānti (cf. grahayajña) section of the Yājñavalkyasmṛti (1.295-309), preceded by the section called vināyakakalpa (1.271-294), prescribing a rite to be offered to Vināyaka.—[verse 302-303: Faggots to be burned]—These two verses prescribe different faggots to be burned for grahas with offerings of honey, ghee, dadhi, and milk. It is interesting to note that some of the faggots (i.e. parāśa, khadira, pippala, and śamī) mentioned here are also used in the Suśrutasaṃhitā in the context (Uttaratantra chapters 27-37) of curing the diseases caused by grahas, which, in this case, are not planetary. [verse 304-305: Cooked rice (odana) to be offered to grahas]

Jyotisha book cover
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Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)

Palāśa (पलाश) refers to the “Dhak” (plant), according to the King Vatsarāja’s Pūjāstuti called the Kāmasiddhistuti (also Vāmakeśvarīstuti), guiding one through the worship of the Goddess Nityā.—Accordingly, “[...] May goddess Bhāratī shine upon me, I pray. She carries a rosary and a book in her hands, she has the stainless complexion of the full moon, and she embodies the entirety of knowledge. I venerate the beloved husband of Rati, the beautiful Mind-born [God Kāmadeva]. He carries a bow and arrows of flowers and his complexion resembles the petals of Dhak (palāśa-paṭala). [Again,] I approach the beloved husband of Prīti, bent round like the full moon, [serving as] the base for the ring of goddesses, in order to draw the Śrīcakra for the sake of prosperity. [...]”.

Shaktism book cover
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Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

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Vastushastra (architecture)

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

Palāsa (पलास) is classified as a “usable tree” which should be saved from being cut (for the purpose of gathering wood materials for Temple construction), 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, the architect is suggested to go to the forest to collect appropriate wood for temples in an auspicious day after taking advice from an astrologer. [...] Here, the eco-friendly suggestions of Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa are seen to protect the greenery and to balance a pollution free environment. [...] The text gives importance in saving the usable trees and that is why the trees [viz., Palāsa, etc.] are advised not to be cut as these trees and their fruits are very essential for livelihood.

Vastushastra book cover
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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.

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Shilpashastra (iconography)

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

Palāśa (पलाश) or “green” refers to one of the five secondary or mixed colours in 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, (viz., śveta, pīta, vilomata, kṛṣṇa, nīla). Mixing of colours is a great technique used by the artists to make numerous shades of colours. A painter can create hundreds or thousands of colours by amalgamating the primary colours. As for example—palāśa i.e., the green colour is created with the mixture of blue and yellow. The Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa says that the quantity of yellow colour should be more than that of the blue.

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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General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Palāsa (पलास): A tree Butea frondosa also called "flame of the forest".

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: BDK Tripiṭaka: The Susiddhikara-sūtra

Palāśa (पलाश) refers to “dhak leaves”, as mentioned in Chapter 12 (“offering food”) of the Susiddhikara-sūtra. Accordingly, “when you wish to offer food, first cleanse the ground, sprinkle scented water all around, spread out on the ground leaves that have been washed clean, such as lotus leaves, palāśa (dhak) leaves, and leaves from lactescent trees, or new cotton cloth, and then set down the oblatory dishes”.

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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Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Palāśa (पलाश) refers to “(forest) foliage”, 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, [after the Bhagavān reached the vicinity of the residence of Vaiśravaṇa], “Then at the time of drought [at] the lotus lake, all forest flowers, fruits, leaves and foliage [e.g., palāśasarvavana...palāśāḥ] were dry, the flowers withered. The fish, Makaras, Timiṅgilas, alligators, bees and various other water-born beings were deprived of water, and when only little water remained they fled in the ten directions, dashed, ran with pained hearts because their lives were obstructed and ruined”.

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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General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Google Books: The Fruits of True Monkhood

Palāsa (“envious rivalry”) in Buddhism refers to one of the sixteen upakilesa (subtle defilements).

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

1) Palāśa (पलाश) is the name of the caitya-tree under which the parents of Śreyāṃsa are often depicted in Jaina iconography, according to the Digambara tradition. According to the Śvetāmbara tradition the tree is known as Tinduga. The term caitya refers to “sacred shrine”, an important place of pelgrimage and meditation in Jainism. Sculptures with such caitya-trees generally shows a male and a female couple seated under a tree with the female having a child on her lap. Usually there is a seated Jina figure on top of the tree.

Śreyāṃsa is the eleventh of twenty-four tīrthaṅkaras: enlightened beings who, having conquered saṃsāra (cycle of birth and death), leave a path behind for others to follow. His father is Viṣṇu and his mother is Viṣṇu according to Śvetāmbara or Veṇudevī according to Digambara, according to the Ācāradinakara (14th century work on Jain conduct written by Vardhamāna Sūri).

2) Palāśa (पलाश) refers to the caityavṛkṣa (sacred-tree) associated with the Agni or Agnikumāra class of the bhavanavāsin species of Devas (gods), according to Jain cosmology. They are defined according to the cosmological texts, such as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition, or the Trilokasāra in the Digambara tradition.

Source: archive.org: Economic Life In Ancient India (as depicted in Jain canonical literature)

1) Palāśa (पलाश) refers to a kind of tree (vṛkṣa) commonly found in the forests (vaṇa) of ancient India, mentioned in the Jñātādharmakathāṅga-sūtra. Forests have been a significant part of the Indian economy since ancient days. They have been considered essential for economic development in as much as, besides bestowing many geographical advantages, they provide basic materials for building, furniture and various industries. The most important forest products are wood and timber which have been used by the mankind to fulfil his various needs—domestic, agricultural and industrial.

Different kinds of trees (e.g., the Palāśa tree) provided firewood and timber. The latter was used for furniture, building materials, enclosures, staircases, pillars, agricultural purposes, e. g. for making ploughs, transportation e. g. for making carts, chariots, boats, ships, and for various industrial needs. Vaṇa-kamma was an occupation dealing in wood and in various otherforest products. Iṅgāla-kamma was another occupation which was concerned with preparing charcoal from firewood.

2) Palāśa (पलाश) refers to a type of flower (puṣpa) commonly used in for personal and commercial purposes in ancient India. People were fond of flowers. The groves and gardens were maintained for recreational purpose. The Jain canonical texts frequently mention different horticulture products viz. fruits, vegetables and flowers which depict that horticulture was a popular pursuit of the people at that time. Gardens and parks (ārāma, ujjāṇa or nijjaṇa) were full of fruits and flowers of various kinds which besides yielding their products provided a calm andquiet place where people could enjoy the natural surroundings.

The flowers (e.g., Palāśa) fulfilled the aesthetic needs of the people. At the same time they had an economic importance in as much as some people depended on its trade. It is mentioned that people of Koṅkaṇa maintained themselves by selling fruits and flowers. (see Bṛhatkalpasūtra) Flower garlands and bouquet of various designs were prepared and sold. Saffron (kuṃkuma or kesara) was an important flower product. It yielded a good income to the producers. The flower attracted the bees who yielded honey (mahu, sanskrit: madhu) of different varieties, e. g. macchiya, kuṭṭiya, bhāmara, etc.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Palāśa (पलाश) is the name of a tree whose leaves are used for fans, according to chapter 1.1 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism. Accordingly, “[...] then the merchant [Dhana] set out [to Vasantapura] with horses, camels, carts, and oxen moving to and fro, like the ocean with its high waves. [...]. At that time, it was the fiery summer season terrible to travelers, diminishing the water of the ponds and rivers, as well as shortening the nights. [...] The travelers alleviated the fatigue caused by the heat by fans made from the leaves of the palāśa, palmyra-palm, date-palm, lotus, and plantain”.

Palāśa was also used as a material for the roof of huts:—“[...] when it was dawn, Dhana with the chief persons (of the caravan), dressed in white and wearing ornaments, went to the Sūri Dharmaghoṣa’s retreat which was situated on high, dry ground free from lives, covered with a roof of palāśa, with walls of straw with crevices [...]”.

General definition book cover
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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.

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India history and geography

Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study (history)

Pālāśā (पालाशा) is the name of a river mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa that is an unidentified tributary of the Vitastā.

Source: Shodhganga: Cultural history as g leaned from kathasaritsagara

Palasha is the name of a tree mentioned in the Kathasaritsagara by Somadeva (10th century A.D).—Palasha is mentioned always for its typical dark-green colour.

Somadeva mentions many rich forests, gardens, various trees (e.g., Palasha), creepers medicinal and flowering plants and fruit-bearing trees in the Kathasaritsagara. Travel through the thick, high, impregnable and extensive Vindhya forest is a typical feature of many travel-stories. Somadeva’s writing more or less reflects the life of the people of Northern India during the 11th century. His Kathasaritsagara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Palasha, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravahanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyadharas (celestial beings).

Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha (history)

Palāśa tree (i.e., Butea frondosa) flowers were commonly traded with foreign merchants in ancient India, according to Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—The Kuvalayamala (779 A.D.) is full of cultural material which gains in value because of the firm date of its composition. [...] At Sūrpāraka there was a guild of local merchants. It was their custom to hold a reception in honour of merchants from outside and to learn from them the country of their origin, the destination, field of trade, the nature, value and volume of commodity in which he is interested and all such matters relating to his business. [...] One said: “I went to Suvarṇa-dvīpa (Sumatra) taking flowers of the Palāśa tree (Butea frondosa) and brought gold from there (contemporary with the Śailendra emperor of Sumatra and Java)” [...]

India history book cover
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The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, 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.

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Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and Drugs

Palasha [ಪಲಾಶ] in the Kannada language is the name of a plant identified with Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. from the Fabaceae (Pea) family having the following synonyms: Butea frondosa, Butea braamania, Plaso monosperma. For the possible medicinal usage of palasha, 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.

Palasha [ପଳାଶ] in the Oriya language, ibid. previous identification.

Palasha [पलाश] in the Sanskrit language, ibid. previous identification.

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

1) Palasha in India is the name of a plant defined with Butea monosperma in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Rudolphia frondosa Poir. (among others).

2) Palasha is also identified with Erythrina variegata It has the synonym Corallodendron lobulatum (Miq.) Kuntze (etc.).

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

· Bulletin of the Botanical Survey of India (1961)
· Species Plantarum (1763)
· Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany (1996)
· Revisio Generum Plantarum (1891)
· Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society (1929)
· Ethnobotany (2001)

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

Biology book cover
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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Palasha in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

palāsa : (m.) leaf; foliage; malice; spite.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

1) Palāsa, 2 & (more commonly) Paḷāsa (according to Trenckner, Notes 83, from ras, but BSk. pradāśa points to pa+ dāśa=dāsa “enemy” this form evidently a Sanskritisation) unmercifulness, malice, spite. Its nearest synonym is yuga-ggāha (so Vbh. 357; Pug. 18, where yuddhaggāha is read; J. III, 259; VvA. 71); it is often combined with macchera (Vv 155) and makkha (Miln. 289). ‹-› M. I, 15, 36, 488; A. I, 79; J. II, 198; Vbh. 357; Pug. 18 (+paḷāsāyanā, etc.).—apaḷāsa mercifulness M. I, 44. (Page 440)

2) Palāsa, 1 (m. & nt.) (Vedic palāśa) 1. the tree Butea frondosa or Judas tree J. III, 23 (in Palāsa Jātaka).—2. a leaf; collectively (nt.) foliage, pl. (nt.) leaves S. II, 178; J. I, 120 (nt.); III, 210, 344; PvA. 63 (°antare; so read for pās’antare), 113 (ghana°), 191 (sāli°). puppha° blossoms & leaves DhA. I, 75; sākhā° branches & leaves M. I, 111; J. I, 164; Miln. 254; paṇḍu° a sear leaf Vin. I, 96; III, 47; IV, 217; bahala° (adj.) thick with leaves J. I, 57.—palāsāni (pl.) leaves J. III, 185 (=palāsapaṇṇāni C.); PvA. 192 (=bhūsāni). (Page 440)

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

palāśa (पलाश).—m (S) A tree, Butea frondosa.

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paḷaśā (पळशा).—m A caste of Hindus or an individual of it.

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paḷasa (पळस).—m (palāśa S) A tree, Butea frondosa. paḷasāsa pānēṃ tīna Said of one who goes from village to village to better his fortunes and yet continues poor.

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

palāśa (पलाश).—m A tree, Butea frondosa.

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paḷaśā (पळशा).—m A caste of Hindus or an individual of it.

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paḷasa (पळस).—m A tree, Butea frondose. paḷasāsa pānēṃ tīna Said of one who goes from village to village to better his fortunes and yet continues poor.

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.

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Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Palasa (पलस).—= पनस (panasa) q. v.

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Palāśa (पलाश).—a.

1) Green.

2) Unkind, cruel.

-śaḥ A demon.

2) Name of the Magadha country.

3) Name of a tree, Butea Frondosa (also called kiṃśuka); नवपलाशपलाशवनं पुरः (navapalāśapalāśavanaṃ puraḥ) Śiśupālavadha 6.2.

-śam 1 The flower or blossom of this tree; बालेन्दु- वक्राण्यविकाशभावाद् बभुः पलाशान्यतिलोहितानि (bālendu- vakrāṇyavikāśabhāvād babhuḥ palāśānyatilohitāni) Kumārasambhava 3.29.

2) A leaf or petal in general; भीष्मपर्वमहाशाखो द्रोणपर्वपलाशवान् (bhīṣmaparvamahāśākho droṇaparvapalāśavān) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 1.1.89; विभिन्नमम्भोजपलाशशोभया (vibhinnamambhojapalāśaśobhayā) Kirātārjunīya 4.27; चलत्पला- शान्तरगोचरास्तरोः (calatpalā- śāntaragocarāstaroḥ) Śiśupālavadha 1.21;6.2.

3) The green colour.

4) A finger (?) Gīrvāṇa; यत्पादपङ्कजपलाशविलासभक्त्या (yatpādapaṅkajapalāśavilāsabhaktyā) Bhāgavata 4.22.39.

-śī Lac.

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Pālāśa (पालाश).—a. (-śī f.) [पलाश-अण् (palāśa-aṇ)]

1) Belonging to or coming from the Palāśa tree.

2) Made of the wood of the Palāśa tree; Manusmṛti 2.45.

3) Green; पालाश-ताम्रासित- कर्बुराणाम् (pālāśa-tāmrāsita- karburāṇām) Bṛ. S.

-śaḥ The green colour.

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Palāśa (पलाश).—a demon, Rākṣasa; निर्दग्धुं निखिलाः पलाशसमिधो मेध्यादयोध्यारणेः (nirdagdhuṃ nikhilāḥ palāśasamidho medhyādayodhyāraṇeḥ) Rām. champū.

Derivable forms: palāśaḥ (पलाशः).

Palāśa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms pala and aśa (अश). See also (synonyms): palāda, palāśana.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Palāśa (पलाश).—see pallāśa.

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

Palāśa (पलाश).—mfn.

(-śaḥ-śā-śaṃ) 1. Green. 2. Unfeeling, unmerciful, cruel. n.

(-śaṃ) A leaf. m.

(-śaḥ) 1. A tree bearing red blossoms, (Butea frondosa.) 2. A demon, a goblin. 3. A sort of Curcuma, (C. reclinata, Rox.) 4. Ancient Behar or Magad'ha. f. (-śī) 1. Lac. 2. A kind of creeper. E. pala going, or flesh, to spread, to eat, aff. aṇ or ac.

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Pālāśa (पालाश).—mfn.

(-śaḥ-śī-śaṃ) 1. Of a green colour. 2. Belonging to the Palasha tree, made of its wood, &c. m.

(-śaḥ) Green, (the colour.) E. pālāśa a leaf, or the tree, aff. aṇ.

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

Palāśa (पलाश).—I. n. 1. A leaf. 2. Foliage, Mahābhārata 3, 1400. Ii. m. A tree bearing red blossoms, Butea frondosa.

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Pālāśa (पालाश).—i. e. palāśa + a, adj., f. śī, Made of the wood of the Palāśatree, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 2, 45.

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

Palāśa (पलाश).—[neuter] (adj. —° [feminine] ī) leaf, petal; [masculine] a kind of tree ( = parṇa [masculine]), [neuter] its blossom.

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Pālāśa (पालाश).—[feminine] ī made of Palāśa wood; [masculine] = palāśa.

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

1) Palāśa (पलाश):—[from pala] 1. palāśa m. a Rākṣasa, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

2) [v.s. ...] mfn. cruel ([literally] = next), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

3) Palasa (पलस):—[wrong reading] for panasa, [Rāmāyaṇa]

4) Palāśa (पलाश):—2. palāśa n. (for 1. See under pala) a leaf, petal, foliage (ifc. f(ī). ), [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Gṛhya-sūtra and śrauta-sūtra; Mahābhārata] etc.

5) the blade of a sharp instrument (cf. paraśu-p)

6) the blossom of the tree Butea Frondosa, [Pañcatantra]

7) = śmaśāna, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

8) = paribhāṣaṇa, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

9) m. (ifc. f(ā). ) the tree B° F° (its older name is parṇa q.v.), [Brāhmaṇa; Mahābhārata] etc.

10) m. Curcuma Zedoaria, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

11) Name of Magadha, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

12) (ifc. it denotes beauty [gana] vyāghrādi)

13) cochineal, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

14) red lac, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

15) mfn. green, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] ([wrong reading] for pālāśa).

16) Pālāśa (पालाश):—mf(ī)n. ([from] palāśa) coming from or belonging to the tree Butea Frondosa, made of its wood, [Brāhmaṇa; Gṛhya-sūtra and śrauta-sūtra; Mahābhārata] etc.

17) green, [Varāha-mihira]

18) m. Butea Frondosa, [Mahābhārata] (mc. for patāśa).

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

1) Palāśa (पलाश):—[palā+śa] (śaṃ) 1. n. A leaf. m. Butea frondosa; a goblin; sort of curcuma; ancient Behar. a. Green, unfeeling, cruel.

2) Pālāśa (पालाश):—(śaḥ) 1. m. Green colour. a. Green; of the Palāsha tree.

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

Palāśa (पलाश) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Palāsa, Pālāsa.

[Sanskrit to German]

Palasha in German

context information

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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Hindi dictionary

[«previous next»] — Palasha in Hindi glossary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

1) Palāśa (पलाश) [Also spelled plash]:—(nm) the tree Butea fondosa and its purple-coloured flower; —[vana] a forest of [palāśa].

2) Palāsa (पलास):—(nm) see [palāśa]; (nf)pliers.

context information

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Prakrit-English dictionary

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

1) Palāsa (पलास) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Palāśa.

2) Pālāsa (पालास) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Pālāśa.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Palasa (ಪಲಸ):—[noun] = ಪಲಸು [palasu].

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Palāśa (ಪಲಾಶ):—

1) [noun] a leaf of any plant.

2) [noun] the tree Butea frondosa of Papilionaceae family; bastard teak.

3) [noun] a person who eats human flesh; a cannibal; a daemon.

4) [noun] the plant Curcuma zeodarina ( = C. zerumbet, = Amomum zerumbet) of Zingiberaeae family.

5) [noun] the taste that produces a burning sensation in the mouth, throat, etc.

6) [noun] a taste that is sharp, unpleasant; bitter.

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Palāsa (ಪಲಾಸ):—[noun] = ಪಲಾಶ - [palasha -] 2.

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Paḷāsa (ಪಳಾಸ):—[noun] a rope for tying a horse.

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Pālāśa (ಪಾಲಾಶ):—[noun] pertaining to, made of the tree pālāśa (Butea frondosa).

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Pālāśa (ಪಾಲಾಶ):—

1) [noun] the tree Butea frondosa of Papilionaceae family; the flame of the forest.

2) [noun] anything that is made of the wood of this tree.

3) [noun] the bright green colour.

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Pālāsa (ಪಾಲಾಸ):—[noun] = ಪಾಲಾಶ [palasha]2.

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Pāḷāsa (ಪಾಳಾಸ):—[noun] a rope for tying a horse.

context information

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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