Pittala: 9 definitions
Introduction
Introduction:
Pittala means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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)
Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstraPittala (पित्तल, “Brass”) is the name for a variation of ‘metal’ (dhātu/loha) from the sub-group named Miśraloha, according to the Rasaprakāśasudhākara: a 13th century Sanskrit book on Indian alchemy, or, Rasaśāstra.
Brass has the following two variations:
- Rītikā,
- Kākatuṇḍī.
Pittala (‘brass’) is of two types:
- Rītikā
- and Kākatuṇḍī.
That which turns on heating and quenching in tuṣajala (dhānyaāmla-an acidic liquid) is known as ṛtikā, and which turns black on heating and quenching in kāñjika is known as kākatuṇḍi.
Which looks yellowish, soft, heavy and like asāra (iron), golden yellow in colour, smooth and oily on touch is considered superior or acceptable for therapeutic uses. Which gives bad or foul smell, rough on touch, pāṇḍura (whitish) incolour, can not stand to hammering and has dry surface is considered inferior and not recommended for rasāyana purposes.
Ṛtikā is rūkṣa in guṇa, kṛmighne in karma and destroys raktapitta. Kākatuṇḍī is used in vīrya, sara in guṇa and kuṣṭhahara in karma .
Source: PMC: Therapeutic potentials of metals in ancient IndiaPittala is an important Misra Loha, an alloy of Copper and Zinc, known since the period of Samhita Kala. Charaka used this metal to prepare Vasti netra. It is known as Brass. As per the descriptions available in Rasa Ratna Samuchaya, there are two varieties of Pittala viz. Ritika and Kakatundi. Formulations of ‘Pittala’ are beneficial in diseases like Krimi, Kusta, Pandu etc.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexPittala (पित्तल).—A Janapada of the Ketumālā continent.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 44. 15.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarypittaḷa (पित्तळ).—a Commonly pittāḷū.
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 dictionaryPittala (पित्तल).—a. Bilious.
-lam 1 Brass.
2) A species of birch tree.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryPittala (पित्तल).—mfn.
(-laḥ-lā-laṃ) Bilious, relating to the bilious humour. n.
(-laṃ) 1. Brass. 2. The Bhurjapatra or Birch tree, of which the bark is used for writing upon, &c. f.
(-lā) A plant, (Jussieua repens.) E. pitta bile, lā to get, to resemble, (in colour,) aff. ḍa.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryPittala (पित्तल).—[adjective] bilious.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Pittala (पित्तल):—[from pitta] mf(ā)n. bilious, secreting bile, [Suśruta] ([gana] sidhmādi)
2) Pittalā (पित्तला):—[from pittala > pitta] f. Jussiaea Repens, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) Pittala (पित्तल):—[from pitta] n. brass, bell-metal, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] Betula Bhojpatra (its bark is used for writing upon; cf. bhūrja-pattra), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
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)
Ends with: Munipittala.
Full-text: Munipittala, Arakuta, Pittali, Paittala, Pitala, Mishraloha, Vartaloha, Ketumaladvipa.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Pittala, Pittaḷa, Pittalā; (plurals include: Pittalas, Pittaḷas, Pittalās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 3: Metals, Gems and other substances (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Chapter VIII - Mixed metals (1): Pittala (brass)
Part 1 - Characteristics of Brass (pittala) < [Chapter VIII - Mixed metals (1): Pittala (brass)]
Part 3 - Incineration of pittala < [Chapter VIII - Mixed metals (1): Pittala (brass)]
Sushruta Samhita, Volume 6: Uttara-tantra (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)
Chapter XXXVIII - Treatment of the diseases of the female organ of generation < [Canto II - Kaumarabhritya-tantra (pediatrics, gynecology and pregnancy)]
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Appendix 5.2: new and rare words < [Appendices]
Appendix 1.6: New and rare words < [Appendices]
A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 2 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)
Part 8 - Vāyu, Pitta and Kapha < [Chapter XIII - Speculations in the Medical Schools]