Palai, Pālai, Paḻai, Paḷai, Pāḷai: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Palai means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, biology, Tamil. 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
Ayurveda (science of life)
Pālai refers to “barren land” and represents one of the five types of lands mentioned in the Tolkāppiyam: an early work on Tamil grammar and poetics. Agriculture (kṛṣi) is frequently mentioned in India’s ancient literature.

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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Palai in the Punjabi language is the name of a plant identified with Rhus punjabensis J.L. Stewart ex Brandis from the Anacardiaceae (Cashew) family having the following synonyms: Toxicodendron punjabense. For the possible medicinal usage of palai, 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.
Palai [பாலை] in the Tamil language is the name of a plant identified with Cryptostegia grandiflora Cryptostegia grandiflora (Roxb.) R. Br. from the Apocynaceae (Oleander) family.
Palai [பாலை] in the Tamil language is the name of a plant identified with Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb.) R.Br. from the Apocynaceae (oleander) family.
1) Palai in India is the name of a plant defined with Alstonia scholaris in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Beluttakaka malabarica (Lam.) Kuntze (among others).
2) Palai is also identified with Cryptocarya wightiana.
3) Palai is also identified with Gisekia pharnaceoides It has the synonym Pharnaceum occultum Forsk.) (Latin pharnacion or pharnaceon, ii was applied by Plinius to a plant, a species of panax, so named after Pharnaces, the name of two kings of Pontus (etc.).
4) Palai is also identified with Tabernaemontana dichotoma It has the synonym Ervatamia polyneura King & Gamble (etc.).
5) Palai is also identified with Wrightia arborea It has the synonym Echites tomentosus Vahl (etc.).
6) Palai is also identified with Wrightia tinctoria.
7) Palai is also identified with Zanthoxylum tetraspermum.
8) Palai in Papua New Guinea is also identified with Merremia peltata It has the synonym Convolvulus crispatulus Wall. (etc.).
9) Palai in Philippines is also identified with Oryza sativa It has the synonym Oryza elongata (Desv.) Steud. (etc.).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Newslett. Int. Organ. Pl. Biosyst. (Oslo) (1997)
· Dictionary of the economic products of India (1891)
· Cytologia (1992)
· Notulae ad Plantas Asiaticas (1851)
· Philippine Journal of Science (1908)
· Systema Vegetabilium, ed. 15 (1819)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Palai, for example side effects, health benefits, pregnancy safety, extract dosage, chemical composition, diet and recipes, 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
Tamil dictionary
Palai (பலை) noun < phala. See திரிபலை. (திவா.) [thiripalai. (thiva.)]
--- OR ---
Palai (பலை) noun < balā.
1. A mantra taught by Viśvāmitra to Rāma; விசுவாமித்திரர் இராம பிரானுக்கு உபதேசித்த ஒரு மந்திரம். [visuvamithirar irama piranukku upathesitha oru manthiram.]
2. Sticky mallow. See சிற்றாமுட்டி. [sirramutti.] (நாமதீபநிகண்டு [namathipanigandu] 326.)
--- OR ---
Paḻai (பழை) noun < பழமொழிை-மை. [pazhai-mai.] Toddy, as old; கள். (பிங்கலகண்டு) [kal. (pingalagandu)]
--- OR ---
Paḷai (பளை) noun probably from வளை. [valai.] Hole; lair of a beast; விலங்கு முதலியவற்றின் வளை. [vilangu muthaliyavarrin valai.] (J.)
--- OR ---
Pālai (பாலை) noun
1. Arid, desert tract; முல்லையுங் குறிஞ்சியுந் திரிந்த நிலம். நடுங்குதுய ருறுத்துப் பாலை யென்பதோர் படிவங் கொள்ளும் [mullaiyung kurinchiyun thirintha nilam. nadunguthuya ruruthup palai yenpathor padivang kollum] (சிலப்பதிகாரம் அரும்பதவுரை [silappathigaram arumbathavurai] 11, 65-6).
2. Aridity, barrenness; பாலைத் தன்மை. பாலைநின்ற பாலைநெடுவழி [palaith thanmai. palaininra palaineduvazhi] (பத்துப்பாட்டு [pathuppattu] 11).
3. Burning-ground; புறங்காடு. பாலைநிலையும் [purangadu. palainilaiyum] (தொல். பொ. [thol. po.] 79).
4. (erotics) Temporary separation of a lover from his sweetheart; பாலை நிலத்து உரிப்பொருளாகிய பிரிவு. பாலைசான்ற சுரம் [palai nilathu uripporulagiya pirivu. palaisanra suram] (பத்துப்பாட்டு: மதுரைக்காஞ்சி [pathuppattu: mathuraikkanchi] 314).
5. Ironwood of Ceylon. See இருள்மரம். [irulmaram.] (L.)
6. Woolly ironwood. See முள்மகிழ். [mulmagizh.]
7. Indian guttapercha. See காட்டிருப்பை [kattiruppai],
2. (L.)
8. Wedge-leaved ape-flower. See உலகநீதி்கைப்பாலை. [ulakkaippalai.] (L.)
9. [K. pāle.] Silvery-leaved ape-flower, medium tree, Mimusops kauki; மரவகை. [maravagai.] (L.)
10. Seven-leaved milk-plant. See ஏழிலைப்பாலை. [ezhilaippalai.] (L.)
11. Conessi-bark. See குடசப்பாலை [kudasappalai],
1. (L.)
12. Mango-like cerbera. See காட்டலரி. [kattalari.] (L.)
13. Blue-dyeing rosebay. See வெட்பாலை [vedpalai],
1. (L.)
14. Woolly dyeing rosebay. See வெட்பாலை [vedpalai],
2. (L.)
15. India-rubber vine. See கருடப்பாலை. [karudappalai.] (L.)
16. Brazilian nutmeg, large tree, Cryptocarya wightiana; பெருமரவகை. [perumaravagai.] (L.)
17. Green wax flower. See கொடிப்பாலை. [kodippalai.] (W.)
18. (Music) A specific melody-type; பெரும்பண்வகை. [perumbanvagai.] (சிலப்பதிகாரம் அரும்பதவுரை [silappathigaram arumbathavurai] 14, 167, உரை. [urai.])
19. A kind of lute; ஒருவகை யாழ். நைவ ளம் பழமொழிுநிய பாலை வல்லோன் [oruvagai yazh. naiva lam pazhuniya palai vallon] (பத்துப்பாட்டு: குறிஞ்சிப்பாட்டு [pathuppattu: kurinchippattu] 146).
20. (Music) A group of melodies, of which there are seven classes, viz., cempālai, paṭumalaippālai, cevvaḻippālai, arumpālai, koṭippālai, mēṟcempālai, viḷarippālai; பாலையாழிற் பிறக்கும் செம் பாலை, படுமலைப்பாலை, செவ்வழிப்பாலை, அரும்பாலை, கொடிப்பாலை, மேற்செம்பாலை, விளரிப்பாலை ஆகிய எழுவகைப்பண். [palaiyazhir pirakkum sem palai, padumalaippalai, sevvazhippalai, arumbalai, kodippalai, mersembalai, vilarippalai agiya ezhuvagaippan.] (சீவகசிந்தாமணி [sivagasindamani] 619, உரை. [urai.])
21. The 7th nakṣatra; புனர்பூசம். (திவா.) [punarpusam. (thiva.)]
22. The 5th nakṣatra; மிருகசீருடம். (பிங்கலகண்டு) [mirugasirudam. (pingalagandu)]
23. A symbolic word used in dice-play; கவறாட்டத்து வழங்கும் ஒரு குழுஉக்குறி. பஞ்சதந்திரப் பாடற்ென வுரை செய்வர் பாலையென்பர் [kavarattathu vazhangum oru kuzhuukkuri. panchena vurai seyvar palaiyenpar] (கந்தபு. கயமுகனு. [kanthapu. kayamuganu.] 167).
--- OR ---
Pālai (பாலை) noun < bālā.
1. Girl;பெண். [pen.]
2. Child; குழந்தை. [kuzhanthai.] (W.)
3. (erotics) A young woman under 16 years of age; பதினாறாண்டுக்குட் பட்ட பெண். [pathinarandukkud patta pen.]
4. The period up to the 16th year in the life of a woman, one of mūṉṟu-paruvam; ஒன்றுமுதல் பதினாறு ஆண்டுவரையுள்ள மகளிர் பருவம். [onrumuthal pathinaru anduvaraiyulla magalir paruvam.] (கொக்கோகம் [kokkogam] 4, 2.)
5. Śiva-Sakti; சிவசத்தி. [sivasathi.]
--- OR ---
Pāḷai (பாளை) noun [K. hāḷe.]
1. Spathe of palms; தெங்கு முதலியவற்றின் பூவை மூடிய மடல். பாளையுடைக் கமுகோங்கி [thengu muthaliyavarrin puvai mudiya madal. palaiyudaig kamugongi] (தேவாரம் [thevaram] 9, 1).
2. A reddish kind of paddy; செம்பாளை நெல். [sembalai nel.] (J.)
3. Empty ears of grain, chaff; பதர். [pathar.] (W.)
4. Shark's liver; சுறா ஈரல். [sura iral.] Local usage
--- OR ---
Pāḷai (பாளை) noun probably from bāla.
1. Embryonic stage; கருவில் இருக்கும் பருவம். பாளையம் பரு வஞ் செத்தும் [karuvil irukkum paruvam. palaiyam paru vagn sethum] (பன்னூற்றிரட்டு [pannurrirattu] 900).
2. Male infant under five years; ஐந்துவருஷத்துக்கு உட்பட்ட பாலன். [ainthuvarushathukku udpatta palan.] (J.)
--- OR ---
Pālai (பாலை) noun
1. A kind of fish; மீன் வகை. [min vagai.] (பறாளைவிநாயகர்பள்ளு [paralaivinayagarpallu] 75.)
2. Sultriness; heat; வெப்பம். பாலைநின்ற பாலைநடுவழி [veppam. palaininra palainaduvazhi] (பத்துப்பாட்டு [pathuppattu] 10, 11).
Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+5): Palai-k-koti, Palai-kattuconai, Palai-kirai, Palaiccul, Palaicivu, Palaikkatti, Palaikkautamanar, Palaikkilatti, Palaikkoti, Palaikkuruvi, Palaincoru, Palainilai, Palainilam, Palaippan, Palaipparuvam, Palaitattu, Palaittati, Palaittiram, Palaivai, Palaivanam.
Full-text (+223): Nilappalai, Vet-palai, Atutinnappalai, Kutapalai, Tirunamappalai, Pankampalai, Katar-palai, Palainilam, Kentikapalai, Mattippalai, Kanuppalai, Karippalai, Elippalai, Arruppalai, Karpalai, Nayppalai, Cittirappalai, Irulpalai, Camuttirappalai, Kutacappalai.
Relevant text
Search found 39 books and stories containing Palai, Paalai, Pālai, Paḻai, Paḷai, Pāḷai, Pazhai; (plurals include: Palais, Paalais, Pālais, Paḻais, Paḷais, Pāḷais, Pazhais). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 380 < [Tamil-English-Malayalam (1 volume)]
Page 313 < [Tamil-English-Malayalam (1 volume)]
Page 260 < [English-Mizo (1 volume)]
Tirumantiram by Tirumular (English translation)
Verse 2497: Lord is in the Void Beyond the Three Voids < [Tantra Eight (ettam tantiram) (verses 2122-2648)]
Verse 2498: Paraparam is a Wondrous Land < [Tantra Eight (ettam tantiram) (verses 2122-2648)]
Verse 2572: Param-Param State Beyond Triple Turiya < [Tantra Eight (ettam tantiram) (verses 2122-2648)]
Preksha meditation: History and Methods (by Samani Pratibha Pragya)
2.1. Meditative Practices of Ācārya Bhikṣu and Muni Hemarāja < [Chapter 3 - The History of Meditation in Terāpanth]
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Standardization of novel Siddha preparation Poonaga Parpam per AYUSH. < [2019: Volume 8, October issue 11]
Literature review on kudiveri noi (chronic alcoholism) in Siddha medicine < [2018: Volume 7, October issue 17]
Isolation and evaluation of antibacterial 8-hydroxyl naringenin. < [2015: Volume 4, June issue 6]
Environment and Culture < [July-September, 1928]
Love in Tamil Poetry < [January-February, 1929]
Environment and Culture < [May, 1928]
Musical Instruments in Sanskrit Literature (by S. Karthick Raj KMoundinya)
Music tradition in Tamil-nadu < [Chapter 4 - A comparative study of the references to Musical Instruments]
Musical Instruments in Ancient Tamil Country < [Chapter 4 - A comparative study of the references to Musical Instruments]
Ancient stringed instruments—The Yazh < [Chapter 2 - Origin and evolution of Music and Musical instruments]