Phalaka, Phālaka, Phalākā: 27 definitions
Introduction:
Phalaka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Falak.
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstraPhalaka (फलक) refers to “abacus”. It is sculptured as a part of the pillar (stambha).
Source: Google Books: Indian Temple Architecture: Form and TransformationPhalaka (फलक).—Part of the standard pilaster;—Below the potikās come the phalaka, a flat plate. Underneath is a double-curved moulding, the maṇḍi, something like a dish, sometimes fluted, or petalled as a lotus flower. Generally the two seem to form a single unit (the phalaka/maṇḍi), though in pre-Karṇāṭa architecture phalakas are found without maṇḍis, and differentiation between the two elements begin wherever, to provide a transition between a circular pillar and the square bracket shaft, the phalaka is made square but the maṇḍi circular.
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (vastu)Phalaka (फलक) refers to one of the basement-elements of a Temple, as discussed in chapter 4 (Kriyāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [śikhara-nirmāṇaprakāra]:—[...] Having gathered the building materials to be used in the proper way, giving attention to all details of quality, etc. (29-35), the construction will begin with the basement elements [e.g., phalaka] and will proceed to the other parts of the upper structure, adding embellishments, subsidiary features and storeys according to the pre-arranged plan. The maximum height will be twelve storeys (36-45). [...]

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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Shodhganga: Vaisnava Agamas And Visnu ImagesPhalakā (फलका) refers to the “metal footplate of a metal icon”, as defined in treatises such as the Pāñcarātra, Pādmasaṃhitā and Vaikhānasa-āgamas, extensively dealing with the technical features of temple art, iconography and architecture in Vaishnavism.—The Vaiṣṇava Āgamas insist that the metal icons should be made through a casting process called Madhūcchiṣṭa-kriyā. [...] After fine carving work the metal icon is fit on the pedestal which is known as jaṭibandhana. The metal icon is created and cast separately in two parts—a) the pīṭha and, b) the body of the icon from kirīṭa to the metal footplate (phalakā). The lower most part of the main icon (phalakā attached to the feet of the icon) is inserted into the socket (on top) of the pedestal after depositing the precious gems (ratna) into it
The rim of the pedestal is hammered and folded inside which grips strongly the phalakā of the main icon and the pedestal is adjusted so as to appear one piece. Atri specifies that the icon is placed on the pedestal should not bend/ lean and hilt.

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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of termsPhalaka (फलक):—Surfaces / facets a property of material

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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramPhalaka (फलक) refers to “planks”, according to the Kularatnoddyota, one of the earliest Kubjikā Tantras.—Accordingly, [while describing the gross form of Navātman called Śabdarāśinavātman]: “(Navātman) has a big body and burns intensely, illumining the sky with (his) radiant energy. [...] He resides in the midst of hidden jewels and (his) penis (is long and) sticks to (his) shanks. (His) hips are (like large) planks (phalaka) and he is adorned with beautiful cheeks. [...]”.

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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Wisdom Library: HinduismPhalaka (फलक) is a Sanskrit word for a weapon translating to “shield”. Sculptures or other depictions of Hindu dieties are often seen holden this weapon in their hand.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraPhalaka (फलक) refers to the “buckler (of rapture)”, according to Padhāna-sutta.—Accordingly, “Māra asked: ‘What are my inner armies?’ The Bodhisattva replied: ‘[...]’ The Bodhisattva who has not yet crushed all these armies puts on the armor of patience, grasps the sword of wisdom, takes the buckler of rapture (dhyāna-phalaka) and arrests the arrows of the afflictions: this is called inner patience”.

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.
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: MUNI Arts: Kalachakra and the twenty-five Kulika kings of ShambhalaPhalaka (फलक) or “shield” refers to one of the attributes of Sūryakīrti or Rigden Nyimadrag—one of the Twenty-five Kulikas as well as one of the traditional Shambhala rulers.—His attributes are a sword and shield (Sanskrit: phalaka, kheṭaka, carmā; Tibetan: phub).—Rigden Nyimadrag is known in Tibetan (wylie) as rigs ldan nyi ma grags; and in Sanskrit as: Kulika Sūryakīrti or Arkakīrti.
Phalaka (फलक) or “shield” also represents one of the attributes of: (1) Subhadra or Rigden Shintuzangpo; (2) Rudracakrin or Rigden Dragpo Khorlochen.

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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryPhalaka.—(IE 3-5), a wooden slab used as a slate. Note: phalaka is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryphalaka : (m.; nt.) a board; plank; a shied. || phālaka (m.) one who splits or breaks.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryPhālaka, (adj.) (fr. phāleti) splitting; one who splits Vism. 413 (kaṭṭha°). (Page 478)
— or —
Phalaka, (fr. phal=*sphal or *sphaṭ (see phalati), lit. that which is split or cut off (cp. in same meaning “slab”); cp. Sk. sphaṭika rock-crystal; on Prk. forms see Pischel, Prk. Gr. §206. Ved. phalaka board, phāla ploughshare; Gr. a)ζpalon, spolaζ, yaliζ scissors; Lat. pellis & spolium; Ohg. spaltan=split, Goth, spilda writing board, tablet; Oicel. spjald board) 1. a flat piece of wood, a slab, board, plank J. I, 451 (a writing board, school slate); V, 155 (akkhassa ph. axle board); VI, 281 (dice-board). pidhāna° covering board VbhA. 244= Vism. 261; sopāna° staircase, landing J. I, 330 (maṇi°); Vism. 313; cp. MVastu I. 249; °āsana a bench J. I, 199; °kāya a great mass of planks J. II, 91. °atthara-sayana a bed covered with a board (instead of a mattress) J. I, 304, 317; II, 68. °seyya id. D. I, 167 (“plank-bed”).—2. a shield J. III, 237, 271; Miln. 355; DhA. II, 2. ‹-› 3. a slip of wood or bark, used for making an ascetic’s dress (°cīra) D. I, 167, cp. Vin. I, 305. ditto for a weight to hang on the robe Vin. II, 136.—4. a post M. III, 95 (aggaḷa° doorpost); ThA. 70 (Ap. V, 17). (Page 477)

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
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryphāḷakā (फाळका).—m (phāḷaṇēṃ) A large slip (of wood, fruit &c.) 2 A side-piece of a plantain-leaf. Used as a dish at meals.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishphāḷakā (फाळका).—m A large slip. A side-piece of a plantain-leaf.
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.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryPhalaka (फलक).—1 A board, plank, slab, tablet; कालः काल्या भुवनफलके क्रीडति प्राणिशारैः (kālaḥ kālyā bhuvanaphalake krīḍati prāṇiśāraiḥ) Bhartṛhari 3.39; द्यूत°, चित्र° (dyūta°, citra°) &c.
2) Any flat surface; चुम्ब्यमानकपोलफलकाम् (cumbyamānakapolaphalakām) K.218; धृत- मुग्धगण्डफलकैर्विबभुः (dhṛta- mugdhagaṇḍaphalakairvibabhuḥ) Śiśupālavadha 9.47,37; cf. तट (taṭa).
3) A shield; Rām.1.
4) A slab, tablet, leaf or page for writing upon.
5) The buttocks, hips.
6) The palm of the hand.
7) Fruit, result, consequence.
8) Profit, gain.
9) Menstruation.
1) The head of an arrow.
11) The pericarp of a lotus.
12) A broad and flat bone (of the forehead).
13) A wooden seat; तवार्हते तु फलकं कूर्चं वाऽप्यथवा बृसी (tavārhate tu phalakaṃ kūrcaṃ vā'pyathavā bṛsī) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 5.35.15.
14) Bark (as material for clothes).
Derivable forms: phalakam (फलकम्).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryPhalaka (फलक).—(1) m., °kaḥ Mahāvyutpatti 9192 = Tibetan sgrog guḥi rten ma, holder for a strap; perhaps a fastener, something like a button, to be affixed to a monk's robe, and to which a strap is fastened; I believe phalaka has this meaning in Pali gaṇṭhika-pha° pāsaka-pha° Vin. ii.136.38; 137.1, 3 (not a kind of cloth, perhaps made of leaves, as assumed [Sacred Books of the East] 17.246); so Chin. on Mahāvyutpatti, leather bag or pocket with button(s); (2) nt., in Śatasāhasrikā-prajñāpāramitā 1430.9, cited approximately in Śikṣāsamuccaya 210.5 as: gāṃ hatvā tīkṣṇena śastreṇa catvāri phalakāni kṛtvā, according to Bendall and Rouse four quarters (of the animal), which seems implausible; possibly four leather bags (of the hide)? compare Chin. cited above; or belts? (this meaning given for AMg. phalaga in [Ardha-Māgadhī Dictionary]); (3) nt., grain (of sand): vālikā- phalakāni Gaṇḍavyūha 134.20 f.; (4) see s.v. Halaka; (5) see also phalaha. (In Divyāvadāna 316.26 phalaka may mean bark, as in Sanskrit, used as material for garments.)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryPhalaka (फलक).—mn.
(-kaḥ-kaṃ) 1. A shield. 2. A bench. 3. A plank. 4. A layer. m.
(-kaḥ) 1. A bone, the os frontis, or bone of the forehead. 2. A leaf or page for writing on. 3. A plant, (Mesua ferrea.) n.
(-kaṃ) The buttocks. E. kan added to the preceding, or phal to split or divide, aff. vun .
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryPhalaka (फलक).—[phala + ka], I. (m. and) n. 1. A board, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 8, 396. 2. A bench, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 2, 204 ([Kullūka Schol. ed. [Mānavadharmaśāstra]]). 3. A layer, a base, [Meghadūta, (ed. Gildemeister.)] 77 (at the end of a comp. adj., f. kā, Having a base of crystal). 4. Surface, [Bhartṛhari, (ed. Bohlen.)] 2, 28. 5. A shield. 6. A leaf for writing on, [Daśakumāracarita] in
Phalaka (फलक).—(adj. —° [feminine] likā) result, advantage.* gain; [abstract] tva [neuter]
— phalaka [neuter] tablet, board etc. = phala + a wooden bench, the palm of the hands, shield.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Phalaka (फलक):—[from phal] (ifc. (ikā) f.) = phala, fruit, result, gain (-tva n.), [Manvarthamuktāvalī, kullūka bhaṭṭa’s Commentary on manu-smṛti on Manu-smṛti ii, 146]
2) [v.s. ...] menstruation (cf. nava-phalikā)
3) [v.s. ...] (phalaka) n. (m. [gana] ardharcādi; ifc. f(ā). ) a board, lath, plank, leaf. bench, [Brāhmaṇa; Gṛhya-sūtra and śrauta-sūtra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] n. a slab or tablet (for writing or painting on; also = page, leaf), [Kāvya literature; Yājñavalkya [Scholiast or Commentator]; Lalita-vistara]
5) [v.s. ...] a picture (= citra-ph), [Mṛcchakaṭikā iv, 3/4]
6) [v.s. ...] a gaming-board (cf. śāri-ph)
7) [v.s. ...] a wooden bench, [Mahābhārata]
8) [v.s. ...] a slab at the base (of a pedestal; cf. sphaṭika-ph)
9) [v.s. ...] any flat surface (often in [compound] with parts of the body, applied to broad flat bones cf. aṃsa-, phaṇā-, lalāṭa-ph etc.)
10) [v.s. ...] the palm of the hand, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa]
11) [v.s. ...] the buttocks, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
12) [v.s. ...] the top or head of an arrow, [Manvarthamuktāvalī, kullūka bhaṭṭa’s Commentary on manu-smṛti on Manu-smṛti vii, 90]
13) [v.s. ...] a shield, [Mahābhārata]
14) [v.s. ...] bark (as a material for clothes), [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa]
15) [v.s. ...] the pericarp of a lotus, [Śiśupāla-vadha]
16) [v.s. ...] = -yantra, [Golādhyāya]
17) [v.s. ...] a layer, [Horace H. Wilson]
18) [v.s. ...] the stand on which a monk keeps his turban, [Buddhist literature]
19) [v.s. ...] m. Mesua Roxburghii, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
20) Phalakā (फलका):—[from phalaka > phal] f. (ā or ikā) See below.
21) [from phal] f. [varia lectio] for halakā [gana] prekṣādi.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryPhalaka (फलक):—[(kaḥ-kaṃ)] 1. m. n. A shield; bench; plant; layer. m. Os frontis; a leaf; Messua ferrea. n. Buttocks.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Phalaka (फलक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Phalaa, Phalaga.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary1) Phalaka (फलक) [Also spelled falak]:—(nm) face; blade; a board, plank; canvas; palm (of the hand), a sheet (of paper); slab.
2) Phalaka (फलक) [Also spelled falak]:—(nm) the sky; heaven; —[ṭūṭanā] the heavens to fall, calamity to befall.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusPhalaka (ಫಲಕ):—
1) [noun] a flat piece of wood or similar material, often rectangular, for some special use; a board.
2) [noun] a large, smooth, usu. dark surface of slate or other material on which to write or draw with chalk; chalkboard; a black-board.
3) [noun] one side of a leaf of a book, newspaper, letter, etc.; a page.
4) [noun] a broad, metal sheet held by policemen, soldiers to ward off blows, missiles, etc.; a shield.
5) [noun] a fruit.
--- OR ---
Phaḷaka (ಫಳಕ):—[noun] = ಫಲಕ [phalaka].
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary1) Phalaka (फलक):—n. 1. board; plank; slab; 2. buttock; hip; 3. leaf or page for writing upon; 4. a shield; 5. palm of the hand;
2) Phalākā (फलाका):—n. pl. of फलाको [phalāko]
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Phala.
Starts with (+11): Phalakadayaka, Phalakahattha, Phalakakhyayantra, Phalakaksha, Phalakakudya, Phalakala, Phalakalpalata, Phalakama, Phalakamana, Phalakana, Phalakanksha, Phalakankshin, Phalakantaka, Phalakapani, Phalakaparidhana, Phalakapura, Phalakara, Phalakaranaparamparadassana, Phalakaranavisesanicchaya, Phalakari.
Full-text (+130): Citraphalaka, Shroniphalaka, Shilaphalaka, Kapolaphalaka, Amshaphalaka, Phalakavana, Lalataphalaka, Tamraphalaka, Januphalaka, Gandaphalaka, Kshudraphalaka, Bijaphalaka, Phalakapani, Dvaraphalaka, Dirghaphalaka, Uruphalaka, Lipiphalaka, Aphalaka, Phalakayantra, Phalakasaktha.
Relevant text
Search found 64 books and stories containing Phalaka, Phala-nvu, Phala-ṇvu, Phālaka, Phāḷakā, Phālakā, Phalakā, Phaḷaka, Phalākā; (plurals include: Phalakas, nvus, ṇvus, Phālakas, Phāḷakās, Phālakās, Phalakās, Phaḷakas, Phalākās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Manasara (English translation) (by Prasanna Kumar Acharya)
Chapter 50 - The bodily ornaments and house-furniture (bhūṣaṇa)
Chapter 46 - The arches (toraṇa)
Chapter 65 - The largest ten tāla measures (uttama-daśatāla)
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 7.162 < [Chapter 7 - Literary Faults]
Text 10.150 [Kāvya-liṅga] < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.1.46 < [Part 1 - Ecstatic Excitants (vibhāva)]
Verse 4.8.31 < [Part 8 - Compatible & Incompatible Mellows (maitrī-vaira-sthiti)]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Sushruta Samhita, volume 3: Sharirasthana (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)
Vinaya (3): The Cullavagga (by T. W. Rhys Davids)
Cullavagga, Khandaka 6, Chapter 20 < [Khandaka 6 - On Dwellings and Furniture]
Cullavagga, Khandaka 6, Chapter 2 < [Khandaka 6 - On Dwellings and Furniture]
Cullavagga, Khandaka 5, Chapter 29 < [Khandaka 5 - On the Daily Life of the Bhikkhus]