Pippala, Pippalā: 25 definitions
Introduction:
Pippala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇaPippalā (पिप्पला).—Name of a river originating from Ṛkṣa, a holy mountain (kulaparvata) in Bhārata, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 85. There are settlements (janapada) where Āryas and Mlecchas dwell who drink water from these rivers.
Bhārata is a region south of Hemādri, once ruled over by Bharata (son of Ṛṣabha), whose ancestral lineage can be traced back to Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia1) Pippala (पिप्पल).—The youngest of the three sons born to the daitya named Mitra of his wife Revatī. (Bhaviṣya Purāṇa).
2) Pippala (पिप्पल).—A brahmin born of the race of Kaśyapa. Pippala did severe penance and became arrogant of the power acquired by it. Once he happened to see the eminent sage Sukarmā serving with devotion his own mother and father and that made his arrogance fade a bit. (Bhūmi Khaṇḍa, Padma Purāṇa, Chapter 61).
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationPippala (पिप्पल) is the name of a Gaṇa-chief who participated in Vīrabhadra’s campaign against Dakṣa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.33. Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“O Nārada, listen to the numerical strength of the most important and courageous of those groups. [...] Viṣṭambha, the most excellent of the Gaṇas, went with sixty-four crores of heroes. O dear, Sannāda and Pippala went with a thousand crores. [...] Thus at the bidding of Śiva, the heroic Vīrabhadra went ahead followed by crores and crores, thousands and thousands, hundreds and hundreds of Gaṇas [viz., Pippala]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1) Pippala (पिप्पल).—A son of Mitra and Revatī.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 18. 6.
2) Pippalā (पिप्पला).—A river of the Bhāratavarṣa from the Ṛkṣa hill.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 16. 30. Vāyu-purāṇa 45. 100.
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstraPippala (पिप्पल).—The name of a plant, possibly identified with the peepal tree, or, Ficus religiosa. Also known as Aśvattha. It is used in various alchemical processess related to mercury (rasa or liṅga), according to the Rasārṇavakalpa (11th-century work dealing with Rasaśāstra).
Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)
Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval IndiaPippala (पिप्पल) refers to the “pipal tree” and represents a type of fruit-bearing plant, according to the Mahābhārata Anuśāsanaparva 53.19 , and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—We can see the description of flowering and fruit bearing plants in Ṛgveda. But we come across the specific names of them only in the later Saṃhita and Brāhmaṇa literature. [...] From the epics, we know that the hermits generally lived on fruits, roots and tubers. [...] Mahābhārata prohibits the usage of certain fruits like the fruits of plakṣa, aśvattha, pippala and uduṃbara trees for the persons who are desirous of glory.
Pippala or “peepal tree” is mentioned in a list of potential causes for indigestion in the 17th century Bhojanakutūhala (dravyaguṇāguṇa-kathana).—A complete section in Bhojanakutūhala is devoted for the description of agents that cause indigestion [viz., pippala (peepal tree)]. These agents consumed on a large scale can cause indigestion for certain people. The remedies [viz., paryuṣitodaka] for these types of indigestions are also explained therewith.
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Google Books: Studies in the History of the Exact Sciences (Astronomy)Pippala (पिप्पल) 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 (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.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)Pippala (पिप्पल) 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., Pippala, etc.] are advised not to be cut as these trees and their fruits are very essential for livelihood.
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.
Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)
Source: archive.org: Syainika Sastra of Rudradeva with English Translation (art)Pippala (पिप्पल) refers to “Fiscus religiosa” (and is used in the treatment of Hawks), according to the Śyainika-śāstra: a Sanskrit treatise dealing with the divisions and benefits of Hunting and Hawking, written by Rājā Rudradeva (or Candradeva) in possibly the 13th century.—Accordingly, [while discussing the treatment of hawks]: “Gardabhī is the name of inilammation of the legs accompanied by boils, caused by tight tying [in a ‘sock’], fear, or frequent flight. If long neglected, the same disease is called Cāndi. To cure Gardabhī the legs hould be plastered over daily for seven days, with the exudation of the common fig tree and of Fiscus religiosa [e.g., pippala]; or, it can be cured by plastering them over with black salt. [...]”
This section covers the skills and profiencies of the Kalas (“performing arts”) and Shastras (“sciences”) involving ancient Indian traditions of sports, games, arts, entertainment, love-making and other means of wordly enjoyments. Traditionally these topics were dealt with in Sanskrit treatises explaing the philosophy and the justification of enjoying the pleasures of the senses.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism1) Pippala (पिप्पल) is the name of a Śrāvaka mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Pippala).
2) Pippala (पिप्पल) also refers to one of the various Ṛṣis (sages) and Mahārṣis (great sages) mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: Jaina YogaPippala (पिप्पल) or aśvattha refers to a “Ficus religiosa Linn.”: one of the five udumbara fruits considered forbidden to eat for Jain laymen, as listed under the khādima category of forbidden food (āhāra), according to Amitagati in his 11th century Śrāvakācāra (v6.96-97). The udumbaras, perhaps because they live long and have nutritive fruits, perhaps because of their milky latex, have been identified with the source of all fertility, and possibly owing to the ceaseless rustling of their leaves have been regarded as homes of the spirits of the dead.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and DrugsPippala [पिप्पलः] in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Ficus religiosa L. from the Moraceae (Mulberry) family having the following synonyms: Ficus peepul, Ficus superstitiosa, Ficus caudata. For the possible medicinal usage of pippala, 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.
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)Pippala in India is the name of a plant defined with Ficus religiosa in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Urostigma religiosum Gasp. (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Plant Systematics and Evolution (1987)
· Numer. List (4493)
· Ethnobotany (2004)
· Enum. Hort. Berol. Alt. (1822)
· Not. Pl. Asiat. (1854)
· Ric. Caprifico (1845)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Pippala, for example side effects, health benefits, diet and recipes, chemical composition, pregnancy safety, extract dosage, 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
Pali-English dictionary
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryPippala, (for the usual P. pipphalī, Sk. pippalī) pepper Vin. I, 201, cp. Vin. Texts II. 46. (Page 460)
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.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryPippala (पिप्पल).—1 The holy fig-tree (Mar. piṃpaḷa); Y.1.32.
2) A nipple.
3) The sleeve of a jacket or coat.
4) A bird kept free (not confined in a cage).
-lam 1 A berry in general.
2) A berry of the holy fig-tree.
3) Sensual enjoyment; Bhāgavata 3.4.8.
4) Water.
5) The effect arising from acts (karmajanyaphala); Muṇḍa.3.1.1; एकस्तयोः खादति पिप्पलान्नमन्यो निरन्नोऽपि बलेन भूयान् (ekastayoḥ khādati pippalānnamanyo niranno'pi balena bhūyān) Bhāgavata 11. 11.6.
Derivable forms: pippalaḥ (पिप्पलः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryPippala (पिप्पल).—m.
(-laḥ) 1. The holy fig-tree, (Ficus religiosa.) 2. A bird. 3. The sleeve of a jacket or coat. 4. A nipple. n.
(-laṃ) 1. Water. 2. A berry of the holy fig-tree. 3. A berry in general. 4. Sensual enjoyment. f. (-lī) Long-pepper. E. pā to preserve, aff. kalac and the root reiterated.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryPippala (पिप्पल).—I. m. The holy fig-tree, Ficus religiosa. Ii. f. lī, Long pepper. Iii. n. 1. The fruit of the Ficus religiosa. 2. Sensual enjoyment, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 3, 4, 8.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryPippala (पिप्पल).—[masculine] the holy fig-tree; [feminine] ā [Name] of a river, ī berry; [neuter] pippala berry, [especially] of the holy fig-tree.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Pippala (पिप्पल):—m. the sacred fig-tree, Ficus Religiosa (commonly called Peepal), [Mahābhārata; Yājñavalkya; Varāha-mihira] etc. (cf. [Indian Wisdom, by Sir M. Monier-Williams 39, 3; Monier-Williams’ Buddhism 515])
2) a kind of bird, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) a nipple, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) = niraṃśuka, or śula, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
5) the sleeve of a jacket or coat, [Horace H. Wilson]
6) Name of a son of Mitra and Revati, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
7) [plural] Name of a school of [Atharva-veda] ([probably] for pippalāda)
8) Pippalā (पिप्पला):—[from pippala] f. Name of a river, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]
9) Pippala (पिप्पल):—n. a berry ([especially] of the Peepal tree), [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.
10) sensual enjoyment, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
11) water, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
12) the sleeve of a coat, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryPippala (पिप्पल):—(laḥ) 1. m. The holy fig-tree; a bird; a sleeve. f. (lī) Longpepper. n. Water; pleasure.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Pippala (पिप्पल) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Pippala.
[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.
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionaryPippala (पिप्पल) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Pippala.
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusPippala (ಪಿಪ್ಪಲ):—
1) [noun] the tree Ficus religiosa of Moraceae family; the peepul tree.
2) [noun] water.
3) [noun] a tract of land that is covered with water or is characterised by wet soil and aquatic, grass-like vegetation; a boggy land.
4) [noun] ceremonial uncleanliness.
5) [noun] a religious mendicant who has severed all his worldly attachments and overcome his worldly desires.
--- OR ---
Pippaḷa (ಪಿಪ್ಪಳ):—[noun] = ಪಿಪ್ಪಲ [pippala].
--- OR ---
Pippāla (ಪಿಪ್ಪಾಲ):—[noun] = ಪಿಪ್ಪಲ - [pippala -]1.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+7): Pippala-pate, Pippalada, Pippaladarshi, Pippaladashraddhakalpa, Pippaladashruti, Pippaladasutra, Pippaladatirtha, Pippaladi, Pippaladoktopanishad, Pippaladopanishad, Pippalaga, Pippalai, Pippalaka, Pippalakam, Pippalalavati, Pippalam, Pippalamahatmya, Pippalamatra, Pippalamu, Pippalanatha.
Ends with: Kampippala, Parshvapippala, Simhalapippali, Supippala, Tyaktapippala.
Full-text (+73): Pishyala, Pimpala, Pippaliya, Pippalavati, Pippalika, Pippali, Pippalada, Pippalashana, Niramshuka, Pippalayana, Pippalimuliya, Paippala, Ashvattha, Pippalaka, Pippalanatha, Pippalamatra, Pippalam, Pippale, Pishpala, Pihpala.
Relevant text
Search found 55 books and stories containing Pippala, Pippalā, Pippaḷa, Pippāla; (plurals include: Pippalas, Pippalās, Pippaḷas, Pippālas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 6.13.6 < [Chapter 13 - The Glories of Prabhāsa-tīrtha, the Sarasvatī River, etc.]
Verses 6.13.7-8 < [Chapter 13 - The Glories of Prabhāsa-tīrtha, the Sarasvatī River, etc.]
Chapter 13 - The Glories of Prabhāsa-tīrtha, the Sarasvatī River, etc. < [Canto 6 - Dvārakā-khaṇḍa]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 10.84 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 3.1.218 < [Chapter 1 - Meeting Again at the House of Śrī Advaita Ācārya]
Verse 1.16.11 < [Chapter 16 - The Glories of Śrī Haridāsa Ṭhākura]
The Gautami Mahatmya (by G. P. Bhatt)
Chapter 40 - Cakreśvara and other Holy Centres
Chapter 48 - Aśvattha and other Tīrthas
The Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)
Chapter 61 - Pippala’s Penance < [Section 2 - Bhūmi-khaṇḍa (section on the earth)]
Chapter 62 - Parents As Sacred Places of Pilgrimage < [Section 2 - Bhūmi-khaṇḍa (section on the earth)]
Chapter 84 - Glorification of Devotion to Parents < [Section 2 - Bhūmi-khaṇḍa (section on the earth)]
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