Pala, aka: Palā, Pāla; 21 Definition(s)

Introduction

Pala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, 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)

Pala (पल) is a Sanskrit unit of weight corresponding to “50 grams”. It is commonly used in Rasaśāstra literature (Medicinal Alchemy) such as the Rasaprakāśasudhākara or the Rasaratna-samuccaya. Pala is a weight unit often used in various Āyurvedic recipes and Alchemical preparations.

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)

Pala (पल) is the Sanskrit name for a weight unit corresponding to ‘40 grams’ used in Āyurvedic literature, according to the Ṣoḍaśāṅgahṛdayam. A single Pala unit corresponds to 2 Śukti units (a single Śukti unit equals 20 grams). You need 2 Pala units to make a single Prasṛta unit (1 Prasṛta equals 80 grams). You need a 100 Pala units to make a single Tulā unit (1 Tulā equals 4 kilograms).

Below follows a table of the different weight units in relation to one another and their corresponding values in brackets:

• Guñjā (Raktikā) = 1 seed of Guñjā
• 8 Raktikā = 1 Māṣa (1 gram)
• 10 Māṣa = 1 Karṣa (10 grams)
• 2 Karṣa = 1 Śukti (20 grams)
• 2 Śukti = 1 Pala (40 grams)
• 2 Pala = 1 Prasṛta (80 grams)
• 2 Prasṛta = 1 Kuḍava (Añjali) (160 grams)
• 2 Kuḍava = 1 Śarāva (320 grams)
• 2 Śarāva = 1 Prastha (640 grams)
• 4 Prastha = 1 Āḍhaka (Pātra) (2.56 kilograms)
• 4 Āḍhaka = 1 Droṇa (10.24 kilograms)
• 4 Droṇa = 1 Droṇī (40.96 kilograms)
• 100 Pala = 1 Tulā (4 kilograms).

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)

1) Pala (पल) refers to a unit of time-measurement, consisting of 6 niśvāsas (respirations), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.10, while explaining the span of life of the deities (Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Hara):—“[...] in the case of all living beings, Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Hara, Gandharvas, serpents, Rākṣasas, etc., twenty one thousand six hundred respirations constitute the period of one day and one night (ahorātra), O foremost among Devas. Six respirations constitute the period of time one Pala. Sixty such Palas constitute one Ghaṭī. Sixty Ghaṭīs constitute one day and one night. (6 x 60 x 60 = 21600). There is no limit to the number of respirations of Sadāśiva. Hence He is undecaying”.

2) Pala (पल) refers to a unit for measurement of weight, corresponding to ten ṭaṅkas, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.14:—“twenty full lotuses (kamalā) constitute one prastha measure. A Thousand Bilva leaves (bilvapatra) constitute half a prastha. Petals of lotuses (śatapatra), a thousand in number constitute half a prastha. Ten ṭaṅka weight constitutes one pala and sixteen palas make one prastha. Flowers for worship shall be weighed in the balance according to this calculation. The worship thus duly performed shall accord all cherished desires. If the devotee worships with no specific desires he will become Śiva himself”.

1) Pala (पल).—A measure of ancient times. (See under Trasareṇu).

2) Pāla (पाल).—A serpent born of the race of Vāsuki. This serpent committed suicide at the Sarpasatra of Janamejaya. (Śloka 51, Chapter 57, Ādi Parva).

Pala (पल).—A measurement: thirteen palas make one Māgadha measure, (jalaprastha, Vāyu-purāṇa): [n.b. 40 palas make at present one Madras measure.]^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 1. 217; Vāyu-purāṇa 100. 219; Viṣṇu-purāṇa VI. 3. 8.

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.

Kavya (poetry)

Pāla (पाल) is the name a locality mentioned in Rājaśekhara’s 10th-century Kāvyamīmāṃsā.—In the Kāvyamīmāṃsā the words Pāla and Mañjara occur in two places. These both places appear joined together and said to be the Janapadas as well as mountains situated in the Dakṣināpatha. Therefore, these two also be taken as one word and identified with Pāla near Mahad.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Pala (पल).—1. Latitude. 2. Unit of time equivalent to 24 seconds. Note: Pala is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry.

context information

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.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Palā (“jackfruit”) refers to 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. The fruits found in connection with the deities or held in the hands of the deities are, for example, Palā.

context information

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Pāla (पाल) is a Sanskrit word referring to ‘herdsman’. Also see avipāla, ‘shepherd ’.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

See Cullapala, Mahapala, and Cakkhupala.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Pāla (पाल) is a Prakrit ending for deriving proper personal names, mentioned as an example in the Aṅgavijjā chapter 26. This chapter includes general rules to follow when deriving proper names. The Aṅgavijjā (mentioning pāla) is an ancient treatise from the 3rd century CE dealing with physiognomic readings, bodily gestures and predictions and was written by a Jain ascetic in 9000 Prakrit stanzas.

context information

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 geogprahy

Pala is the name of a tank that was situated in the Upalabijaka district: a locality that existed in the ancient kingdom of Anurādhapura, Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

Pala (“milk”) is one of the exogamous septs (divisions) among the Malas (considered the Pariahs of the Telugu country) of the Daindla section. The Mala people are almost equally inferior in position to the Madigas and have, in their various sub-divisions, many exogamous septs (eg., Pala).

Pala.—(EI 9, 21, 30; CII 3), name of a weight. (IA 26), a weight equal to 320 ratīs; sometimes spelt phala in Pāli. (CITD), in Telugu-Kannaḍa records, a weight equal to that of 10 pagodas; four karṣas or (1/100) of a tula; the 8th part of a ser, or 3 tolas or rupees; 4 tolas or 320 guñjās. (CII 3), the sixtieth division of a ghaṭī; equal to twenty- four English seconds. Note: pala is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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Pālā.—(LP), sheds. (LP), a foot-soldier; cf. Gujarātī pāḻo. Note: pālā is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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Pala.—weight of 320 ratis (cf. śatamāna); equal to 4 or 5 suvarṇas according to the Yājñavalkyasmṛti. Note: pala is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

Pāla is the name of an ancient dynasty from Bengal where Shaivism thrived between the 10th and 12th centuries, according to Dr. Akhilesh K. Dubey (2005). He notes several grants to temples, Śaiva Brāhmaṇas and ascetics of śaiva mutts. The Cāhamānas (of Śākambharī, Jāvalīpura and Naḍḍūla), the Paramāras of Mālvā, Pālas and Senas of Bengal, the Gāhaḍavālas of Kanauj, the Candellas and the Kalacūrīs of Tripurī were all staunch Śaivites. There is also evidence of Śaiva Brāhmaṇas migrating from various places to propagate their wisdom and teachings.

context information

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

Pali-English dictionary

pala : (nt.) a certain weight (of about 4 ounces). || pāla (m.) a guard; keeper; protector.

Pala, (-°) (classical Sk. pala) a certain weight (or measure), spelt also phala (see phala²), only in cpd. sata° a hundred (carat) in weight Th. 1, 97 (of kaṃsa); J. VI, 510 (sataphala kaṃsa=phalasatena katā kañcana-pātī C.). Also in combⁿ catuppala — tippala — dvipala — ekapala — sāṭikā Vism. 339. (Page 439)

— or —

Pāla, (-°) (fr. pā, see pāleti) a guard, keeper, guardian, protector S. I, 185 (vihāra°); J. V, 222 (dhamma°); VvA. 288 (ārāma°); Sdhp. 285. See also go°, loka°. (Page 455)

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.

Marathi-English dictionary

pala (पल).—n (S) The sixtieth part of a ghaṭikā. Two and a half are one minute. 2 m S Terrestrial latitude.

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paḷa (पळ).—n (pala S) The sixtieth part of a ghaṭikā or the 160th part of an hour. 2 A weight of twenty-eight ḍhabū;--used in weighing butter, ghee &c.

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paḷa (पळ).—m (paḷaṇēṃ) A general flight (as of the people of a town, village, or country, of a routed army &c.) v suṭa. Also, by meton., the fleeing people. Ex. āmacyā gāṃvānta paḷa ālā āhē. 2 f A run, a wild running from. v ghē. Also a run or race; a run as struck up. v māra. 3 f C A course or channel to drain fields. paḷa kāḍhaṇēṃ To take to flight; to scamper off. 2 g. of o. To make to run or to flee. paḷa suṭaṇēṃ in. con. To fall a scampering, fleeing, or running.

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paḷā (पळा).—m ( H) A large metal ladle. paḷī f A ladle gen.

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pāla (पाल).—f (palli S) The common house-lizard.

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pāla (पाल).—n A cloth or a large blanket &c. stretched across a pole, forming a sort of tent with two sloping sides and two open ends. 2 A thick sort of cloth used as carpeting. 3 m A large fighting vessel. 4 (pallava) The tender shoots (of grass or trees). v phuṭa, nigha, yē, hō. pāla ghālaṇēṃ or māṇḍaṇēṃ To set up openly the trade of a prostitute.

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pāla (पाल) [or पालक, pālaka].—a (S) That supports, cherishes, protects. In comp. as bhūpāla, mahīpāla.

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pālā (पाला).—m (pallava S) Leaves, blades, tufts of leaves, foliage.

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pāḷa (पाळ).—n pāḷaka n A ramification of the root of a tree. 2 fig. Scattered, diffused, or outspread state (of things gen.) v ghāla, māṇḍa, pasara, paḍa. pāḷēmpāḷēṃ khaṇūna ṭākaṇēṃ g. of o. To hoist out, oust, uproost; to turn out root and branch, neck and crop.

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pāḷa (पाळ).—f (pāli S) A parapet or marginal wall (as built around wells or tanks). 2 The raised edge of the mouth of a handmill. 3 The outer and curving edge of the auricle, the helix: the lower edge of the nose &c. 4 The ring of bundles (of kaḍabā, sarama &c.) which, at thrashing time, is made around the khaḷēṃ or thrashing floor to confine the corn from being scattered: the ring (of earth, lime &c.) around the cavity wherein water is to be poured: the similar ring of the āḷēṃ or cavity around the foot of a tree: the circle of flour around a mill: the ring or crown of the glacis around a fort: an encircling line of trees, stakes, men &c.: a ring in many similar applications. 5 A furrow (as made by a rush of water).

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pāḷa (पाळ).—a Free from taxation, exempt--a beast &c.; as cāra mhaśī pāḷa āhēta. Also remitted or waved--a tax; as gharadēṇēṃ pāḷa āhē. Also released from the payment of a tax--a person or family.

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pāḷa (पाळ) [or पाळक, pāḷaka].—a (Properly pāla & pālaka) That supports, cherishes, protects, defends. Esp. in comp. as bhūpāḷa, lōkapāḷa.

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pāḷā (पाळा).—m A small wood-bill. 2 W (pāḷaṇēṃ) Obedience, keeping of commands. 3 (Poetry. pāli S) An encircling body or line. Ex. hātīṃ ghēūnī ghana- sāṃvaḷā || vrajāṅganā dharitī pāḷā. 4 An encircling body; a band, troop, party, company gen. Ex. bhūtāñcē pāḷē apāra || mandarācaḷīṃ miḷālē ||. Also a flock or herd or any assemblage or multitude. Ex. jaisē gurāñcē pāḷē bahuta || ēka gurākhī rākhīta ||. 5 Scattered or outspread state (of things in general). v ghāla, māṇḍa, pasara, pāḍa & paḍa. 6 The name of a small white-reddish sea-fish.

pala (पल).—n The sixtieth part of a ghaṭikā. Two and a half are one minute. m Terres- trial latitude.

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paḷa (पळ).—n The sixtieth part of a ghaṭikā. m A general flight, The feeling people paḷa kāḍhaṇēṃ To take to flight; to scamper off. To make to run or to flee. paḷa suṭaṇēṃ in con. To fall a feeling.

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paḷā (पळा).—m A large metal ladle.

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pāla (पाल).—f The common house-lizard.

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pāla (पाल).—n A piece of cloth stretched across a pole, forming a sort of tent with two sloping sides and two open ends. A thick cloth used as carpeting.

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pāla (पाल) [or pālaka, or पालक].—a That supports, protects.

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pālā (पाला).—m Leaves, foliage.

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pāḷa (पाळ).—n pāḷaka n A root of a tree. pāḷēṃ muḷēṃ khaṇūna kāḍhaṇēṃ To uproot; to turn out root and branch.

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pāḷa (पाळ).—f A parapet or marginal wall (as built around wells or tanks).

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pāḷa (पाळ).—a Free from taxation, exempt-a beast &c., as cāra mhaśī pāḷa āhēta. Remit- ted-a tax; as ghara dēṇēṃ pāḷa āhē.

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pāḷa (पाळ) [or pāḷaka, or पाळक].—a That supports, protects.

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pāḷā (पाळा).—m A small wood-bill. Obedience. An encircling body or line. A flock or herd.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Pala (पल).—[pal-ac] Straw, husk.

-lam 1 Flesh, meat.

2) A particular weight equal to four karṣas.

3) A particular measure of fluids.

4) A particular measure of time.

5) A small measure; लवणपलमिव क्षिप्तमन्तर्ह्रदस्य (lavaṇapalamiva kṣiptamantarhradasya) Nāg.5.24.

Derivable forms: palaḥ (पलः).

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Palā (पला).—The plant जटामांसी (jaṭāmāṃsī), Indian spikenard; ग्रन्थिकं च पलां चव्यं (granthikaṃ ca palāṃ cavyaṃ)...... Śiva B.3.16.

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Pāla (पाल).—1 [पाल्-अच् (pāl-ac)] A protector, guardian, keeper; as in गोपालः, वृष्णिपालः (gopālaḥ, vṛṣṇipālaḥ), &c.

2) A herdsman; विवादः स्वामि- पालयोः (vivādaḥ svāmi- pālayoḥ) Ms.8.5,229,24.

3) A kind; अहो अधर्मः पालानाम् (aho adharmaḥ pālānām) Bhāg.1.18.33.

4) A spitting-pot.

-lī 1 A herdsman's wife; Mb.5.

2) An oblong pond.

Derivable forms: pālaḥ (पालः).

Pala (पल).—n.

(-laṃ) 1. A weight of gold or silver equal to four Karshas or Suvarnas; also of four or of eight Tolas, or in common use, of three Tolas, two Mashas, and eight Rattis. 2. A moment, the sixtieth part of an Indian hour. 3. Flesh. m.

(-laḥ) Straw after threshing, &c. E. pal to go, to move, aff. ac .

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Pāla (पाल).—mfn.

(-laḥ-lī-laṃ) Who or what guards or preserves. m.

(-laḥ) 1. A nourisher, a protector. 2. A spitting-pot. 3. A herdsman. 4. A king. f. (-lī) 1. The sharp edge of a sword. 2. A woman with a beard. 3. A louse. 4. A line, a row or range. 5. A pot, a boiler. E. pāl to nourish, aff. ac; ṅīṣ added; also with i aff. pāli.

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