In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)

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

Piṇḍāluka (पिण्डालुक) refers to “colocasia” and is mentioned in a list of remedies for indigestion in 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.—A complete section in Bhojanakutūhala is devoted for the description of agents that cause indigestion [viz., kodrava (kodo millet)]. These agents consumed on a large scale can cause indigestion for certain people. The remedies [viz., piṇḍāluka (colocasia)] for these types of indigestions are also explained therewith.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

Piṇḍāluka (पिण्डालुक) is a Sanskrit word referring to Dioscorea alata (purple yam), a plant species in the Dioscoreaceae family. Certain plant parts of Kūṣmāṇḍa are eaten as a vegetable (śāka), according to Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Ayurvedic work. The plant is therefore part of the Śākavarga group of medicinal plants, referring to the “group of vegetables/pot-herbs”. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic value of the plant.

According to the Rājanighaṇṭu (verses 7.69-70), Piṇḍāluka is a synonym of Piṇḍālu. The translator, Satish Chandra Sankhyadhar, mentions that Piṇḍālu could be identified with either Dioscorea alata, Colocasia esculenta, or as a synonym of Kandaguḍūcī.

Properties according to Caraka-saṃhitā: Piṇḍāluka is also similar and relishing because of being tuber.

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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Jaina Yoga

Piṇḍāluka (पिण्डालुक) in Sanskrit or Piṇḍālu in Prakrit refers to the plant Dioscorea globosa Roxb. This plant is classifed as ananta-kāya, or “plants that are inhabited by an infinite number of living organisms”, and therefore are abhakṣya (forbidden to consume) according to both Nemicandra (in his Pravacana-sāroddhāra v245-246) and Hemacandra (in his Yogaśāstra 3.44-46). Those plants which are classified as ananta-kāyas (e.g., piṇḍāluka) seem to be chosen because of certain morphological peculiarities such as the possession of bulbs or rhizomes orthe habit of periodically shedding their leaves; and in general theyare characterized by possibilities of vegetative reproduction.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

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

1) Piṇḍāluka (पिण्डालुक):—[from piṇḍālu > piṇḍa > piṇḍ] n. a kind of bulbous plant, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

2) Piṇḍālūka (पिण्डालूक):—[from piṇḍālu > piṇḍa > piṇḍ] m. or n. a batatas, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

[Sanskrit to German]

Pindaluka 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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Pindalu, Aluka, Kodrava, Shakavarga.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Pindaluka, Piṇḍāluka, Piṇḍālūka; (plurals include: Pindalukas, Piṇḍālukas, Piṇḍālūkas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Kautilya Arthashastra (by R. Shamasastry)

Chapter 24 - The Superintendent of Agriculture < [Book 2 - The duties of Government Superintendents]

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Sushruta Samhita, volume 1: Sutrasthana (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)

Chapter XLVI - Diet articles and regimen of diet

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