Plaksha, Plakṣā, Plakṣa, Plākṣa: 23 definitions
Introduction:
Plaksha means something in 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.
The Sanskrit terms Plakṣā and Plakṣa and Plākṣa can be transliterated into English as Plaksa or Plaksha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)
Source: Wisdom Library: Raj NighantuPlakṣa (प्लक्ष) is the name of a tree (Pākaḍī) that is associated with the Nakṣatra (celestial star) named Uttarā-Phālgunī, according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). Accordingly, “these [trees] are propounded in Śāstras, the secret scriptures (śāstrāgama). These pious trees [viz, Plakṣa], if grown and protected, promote long life”. These twenty-seven trees related to the twenty-seven Nakṣatras are supposed to be Deva-vṛkṣas or Nakṣatra-vṛkṣas.
Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)
Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval IndiaPlakṣa (प्लक्ष) refers to the “fig 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 the commonly used fruits are kāsmarya, iṅguda, śṛṅgāṭaka, bhallātaka (marking nut), the fruits of plakṣa (fig tree), aśvattha (pipal tree), vibhītaka (fruit of Terminallia) and pīlu (Salvadora persica). 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.
Plakṣa or Ficus infectoria 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., plakṣa (Ficus infectoria)]. 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.
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgrahaPlakṣa (प्लक्ष) [or Pḷakṣa] refers to the medicinal plant known as “Ficus microcarpa Linn.f.” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning plakṣa] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) which is a branch of pharmacology (dravyaguṇa).
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botanyPlakṣa (प्लक्ष) is a Sanskrit word referring to Ficus lacor (white fig), in the Moraceae family. Certain plant parts of Plakṣa 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.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇaPlakṣā (प्लक्षा).—Name of a river (nadī) situated near the seven great mountains on the western side of mount Naiṣadha, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 83. These settlements consume the water flowing from these seven great mountains (Viśākha, Kambala, Jayanta, Kṛṣṇa, Harita, Aśoka and Vardhamāna). Niṣadha (Naiṣadha) is one of the seven mountains located in Jambūdvīpa, ruled over by Āgnīdhra, a grandson of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Plakṣa (प्लक्ष).—The lord of forest trees; acted calf for trees to milk the cow-earth;1 sticks of this tree to be used in ceremonies connected with the kṛṣṇāṣṭamivrata and the digging of tanks.2
1b) A son of Dāruka; an avatār of the Lord.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 23. 196.
1c) A continent; a part of Kimpuruṣa equal to Nandana; there is a plakṣa tree here.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 33. 11; 46. 4.
1) Plakṣa (प्लक्ष) wood is used for brushing the teeth in the months Jyeṣṭha and Āṣāḍha for the Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī-Vrata, according to the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, the Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī-vrata is observed in honour of Śiva. [...] It starts from the month of Mārgaśira. It is observed on the eighth tithi of the dark fortnight and for a year.—In Jyeṣṭha, the tooth brush is that of plakṣa wood, food is śṛṅgodaka of cow, the deity is Paśupati, the stay near the deity gives the result of donating thousand of cows. In Āṣāḍha, food is gomaya, the deity is Ugra result is eight times that of śautrāmaṇi.
2) Plakṣa (प्लक्ष) wood is also used for brushing the teeth in the month Magha for the Anaṅgatrayodaśī-Vrata.—Accordingly, the Anaṅgatrayodaśī-vrata is observed in honour of Śiva for acquiring virtue, great fortune, wealth and for destruction of sins [...] This vrata is to be performed for a year from Mārgaśīra.—In the month of Magha, the tooth-brush is that of plakṣa-wood. The food taken is mauktika. The deity to be worshipped is Naṭeśvara. The flowers used in worship are karavīra. The naivedya offerings is kṛśara. The result accrued is vahusvama.
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.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad BhagavatamrtamPlakṣa (प्लक्ष) refers to:—An island surrounding Mount Meru. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramPlakṣa (प्लक्ष) refers to one of the thirty-six sacred trees, according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “According to the Kula teaching (these) [i.e., Plakṣa] are the most excellent Kula trees that give accomplishments and liberation. (They are full of) Yoginīs, Siddhas, Lords of the Heroes and hosts of gods and demons. One should not touch them with one’s feet or urinate and defecate on them or have sex etc. below them. One should not cut etc. or burn them. Having worshipped and praised them regularly with their own flowers and shoots, one should always worship the Śrīkrama with devotion with their best fruits and roots. [...]”.
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: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and SubjectsPlakṣa (प्लक्ष) is the name of the waved leaf fig-tree (Ficus infectoria), a large and beautiful tree with small white fruit. It is mentioned in the Atharvaveda and the Taittirīya-saṃhitā along with the Nyagrodha and the Parṇa. Its name is altered in the latter Saṃhitā to Prakṣa for the sake of an etymology. It is also mentioned in the Brāhmaṇas.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Wisdom Library: JainismPlakṣa (प्लक्ष) is the name of the caitya-tree (also known as Pilaṅkhu) under which the parents of Śītala are often depicted in Jaina iconography, according to the Śvetāmbara tradition. According to the Digambara tradition the tree is known as Dhūli. The term caitya refers to “sacred shrine”, an important place of pelgrimage and meditation in Jainism. Sculptures with such caitya-trees generally shows a male and a female couple seated under a tree with the female having a child on her lap. Usually there is a seated Jina figure on top of the tree.
Śītala is the tenth of twenty-four tīrthaṅkaras: enlightened beings who, having conquered saṃsāra (cycle of birth and death), leave a path behind for others to follow. His father is Dṛḍharatha and his mother is Nandā, according to the Ācāradinakara (14th century work on Jain conduct written by Vardhamāna Sūri).
Source: archive.org: Jaina YogaPlakṣa (प्लक्ष) refers to a “Ficus infectoria Roxb.”: 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 DrugsPlaksa in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Ficus rumphii Bl. from the Moraceae (Mulberry) family having the following synonyms: Ficus cordifolia, Ficus populnea. For the possible medicinal usage of plaksa, 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.
Plaksa in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Ficus amplissima Sm. from the Moraceae (Mulberry) family having the following synonyms: Ficus indica Willd., Ficus pseudotsiela, Ficus tsjela.
Plaksha [प्लक्ष] in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Thespesia populnea Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Corrêa from the Malvaceae (Mallow) family having the following synonyms: Hibiscus populneus, Abelmoschus acuminatus, Hibiscus blumei.
Plaksa in the Telugu language is the name of a plant identified with Ficus microcarpa L.f. from the Moraceae (Mulberry) family having the following synonyms: Ficus regnans, Ficus littoralis, Ficus dahlii.
Plaksha [प प्लक्षः] in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Ficus virens from the Moraceae (Mulberry) family having the following synonyms: Ficus infectoria.
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)1) Plaksha in India is the name of a plant defined with Ficus arnottiana 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 courtallense Miq. (among others).
2) Plaksha is also identified with Ficus glabella It has the synonym Ficus virens Dryand. var. glabella (Blume) Corner.
3) Plaksha is also identified with Ficus infectoria.
4) Plaksha is also identified with Ficus lacor.
5) Plaksha is also identified with Ficus maxima It has the synonym Urostigma fraseri Miq. (etc.).
6) Plaksha is also identified with Ficus racemosa It has the synonym Ficus lucescens Miq. (etc.).
7) Plaksha is also identified with Ficus talbotii.
8) Plaksha is also identified with Ficus tsiela It has the synonym Ficus tsiela Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham..
9) Plaksha is also identified with Ficus tsjakela It has the synonym Ficus tsjahela Burm. f..
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· London Journal of Botany (1848)
· The Gardeners Dictionary
· Species Plantarum, ed. 4
· Biologia Centrali-Americana
· Bonplandia (1858)
· Phil. J. Sci. (1912)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Plaksha, for example diet and recipes, side effects, chemical composition, extract dosage, pregnancy safety, health benefits, 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
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryPlakṣa (प्लक्ष).—[plakṣate kīṭaiḥ plakṣ-karmaṇi ghañ]
1) The Indian fig-tree; प्लक्षप्ररोह इव सौधतलं विभेद (plakṣapraroha iva saudhatalaṃ vibheda) R.8.93;13.71; कपित्थैः किंशुकैः प्लक्षैः (kapitthaiḥ kiṃśukaiḥ plakṣaiḥ) Parṇāl.4.62.
2) One of the seven Dvīpas or continents of the world; प्लक्षो जम्बूप्रमाणो द्वीपः ख्यातिकरो हिरण्मय उत्थितो यत्राग्निरुपास्ते सप्तजिह्वः (plakṣo jambūpramāṇo dvīpaḥ khyātikaro hiraṇmaya utthito yatrāgnirupāste saptajihvaḥ) Purāṇam.
3) A side or back-door, a private entrance.
4) The space at the side of a door.
Derivable forms: plakṣaḥ (प्लक्षः).
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Plākṣa (प्लाक्ष).—The fruit of प्लक्ष (plakṣa).
Derivable forms: plākṣam (प्लाक्षम्).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryPlakṣa (प्लक्ष).—m.
(-kṣaḥ) 1. Waved-leaf fig-tree, (Ficus infectoria.) 2. Another tree, (Hibiscus populneoides.) 3. The holy fig, (Fious religiosa.) 4. One of the seven Dwipas or continents, into which the world is divided. 5. A private or back-door. E. plaṣ to burn, Unadi aff. sa, and a substituted for the penultimate vowel.
--- OR ---
Plākṣa (प्लाक्ष).—n.
(-kṣaṃ) The fruit of the Hibiscus populneoides. E. plakṣ, and aṇ added.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryPlakṣa (प्लक्ष).—m. 1. The holy figtree, Ficus religiosa, [Nala] 12, 4. 2. The waved-leaf fig-tree, Ficus infectoria. 3. Another tree, Hibiscus populneoides. 4. One of the seven Dvīpas or divisions of the world. 5. A side door.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryPlakṣa (प्लक्ष).—[masculine] the holy fig-tree.
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Plākṣa (प्लाक्ष).—[adjective] coming from the holy fig-tree.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Plakṣa (प्लक्ष):—m. the waved-leaf fig-tree, Ficus Infectoria (a large and beautiful tree with small white fruit), [Atharva-veda] etc. etc.
2) the holy fig-tree, Ficus Religiosa, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) Thespesia Populneoides, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) a side door or the space at the s° of a d°, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
5) = dvīpa, [Purāṇa]
6) Name of a man, [Taittirīya-brāhmaṇa]
7) (with prāsravaṇa) = -prasravaṇa, [Tāṇḍya-brāhmaṇa; ???]
8) Plakṣā (प्लक्षा):—[from plakṣa] f. Name of the river Sarasvatī, [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa]
9) Plākṣa (प्लाक्ष):—[from plakṣa] a mf(ī)n. belonging or relating to or coming from the Ficus Infectoria, [Taittirīya-saṃhitā; Aitareya-brāhmaṇa]
10) [v.s. ...] m. [plural] the school of Plākṣi, [Pāṇini 4-2, 112 [Scholiast or Commentator]]
11) [v.s. ...] n. the fruit of the fig-tree, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
12) [v.s. ...] (with prasravaṇa) n. Name of the place where the Sarasvatī rises, [???]
13) b etc. See above.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Plakṣa (प्लक्ष):—(kṣaḥ) 1. m. Waved leaf fig-tree; holy fig; one of the 7 continents of the world; a private door.
2) Plākṣa (प्लाक्ष):—(kṣaḥ) 1. m. The fruit of the Hibiscus populneoides.
[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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusPlakṣa (ಪ್ಲಕ್ಷ):—
1) [noun] name of many ficus trees of Moraceae family a) Ficus virens ( = F. infectoria) of Moraceae family; b) Ficus arnottiana; c) Ficus benghalensis ( = F. indica); banyan tree; d) Ficus racemosa; fig tree.
2) [noun] a definite area of shade cast upon a surface by a body intercepting the light rays; shadow.
3) [noun] one of the seven mythological divisions of the earth.
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 (+10): Plaksha mara, Plakshadi, Plakshadvara, Plakshadvipa, Plakshaga, Plakshajata, Plakshaki, Plakshakiya, Plakshanyagrodha, Plakshapraroha, Plakshaprashravana, Plakshaprasravanatirtha, Plakshar, Plakshara-Odonata, Plaksharaj, Plaksharaja, Plakshasamudbhava, Plakshasamudravacaka, Plakshasamudravachaka, Plakshashakha.
Ends with: Anyatahplaksha, Hrasvaplaksha, Trihplaksha, Triplaksha.
Full-text (+121): Plakshi, Plakshaki, Plakshakiya, Plakshatirtha, Plakshajata, Plaksharaja, Anyatahplaksha, Praksha, Plakshadvipa, Plakshasravana, Pancavalkala, Plakshavatarana, Plaksharaj, Plakshaprashravana, Plakshasamudravacaka, Plakshadi, Bhidura, Saptadvipa, Dvipa, Plaksha mara.
Relevant text
Search found 53 books and stories containing Plaksha, Plakṣā, Plakṣa, Plaksa, Plākṣa, Pḷakṣa; (plurals include: Plakshas, Plakṣās, Plakṣas, Plaksas, Plākṣas, Pḷakṣas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Gobhila-grihya-sutra (by Hermann Oldenberg)
The Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter LVI - Enumeration of the names of princes of the continent of Plaksha, etc. < [Agastya Samhita]
Chapter LIV - Progeny of Priya Vrata and incidental description of the Seven Islands of the Earth < [Agastya Samhita]
Chapter CXVII - The Ananga trayodasi Vratam < [Brihaspati (Nitisara) Samhita]
The Devi Bhagavata Purana (by Swami Vijñanananda)
Chapter 12 - On the narration of Plakṣa, Śālmala and Kuśa Dvīpas < [Book 8]
Chapter 4 - On the narration of the family of Priyavrata < [Book 8]
Chapter 11 - On the description of the continents and of Bhāratavarṣa < [Book 8]
Rivers in Ancient India (study) (by Archana Sarma)
4. Disappearance of Sarasvatī < [Chapter 6 - Changing trends of the Rivers from Vedic to Purāṇic Age]
3b. The Origin of Sarasvatī as a river < [Chapter 5 - Rivers in the Purāṇic Literature]
The Matsya Purana (critical study) (by Kushal Kalita)
Part 1 - Bhūvanakoṣa: Geography of Seven Continents (saptadvīpā) < [Chapter 8 - Geographical data in the Matsyapurāṇa]
Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari (by K. A. Subramania Iyer)
Verse 3.12.21 < [Book 3 - Pada-kāṇḍa (12): Upagraha-samuddeśa (On Aspect)]
Verse 3.14.35 < [Book 3 - Pada-kāṇḍa (14): Vṛtti-samuddeśa (On Ccomplex Formation)]
Verse 3.14.33 < [Book 3 - Pada-kāṇḍa (14): Vṛtti-samuddeśa (On Ccomplex Formation)]