Pundarika, aka: Puṇḍarīkā, Puṇḍarīkā, Puṇḍarīka, Pundarīka, Pundarīkā; 21 Definition(s)
Introduction
Pundarika means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India. 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
Ayurveda (science of life)
Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक):—One of the eighteen types of Kuṣṭha (“skin disease”), according to the Caraka-saṃhitā (cikitsāsthāna), which is an important Sanskrit work dealing with Āyurveda. This condition of the skin (kuṣṭha) is caused by the corruption of the three doṣas (tridoṣa: vāta, pitta and kapha) which in turn corrupts the skin, blood, muscle and lymph. Puṇḍarīka-kuṣṭha is characterized by witish with red margins, elevated, burning, and is like lotus leaves. Puṇḍarīka is caused by a preponderance of Pitta-doṣa (‘bodily bile’) and Kapha-doṣa (‘bodily phlegm’).
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botanyPuṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक)—Sanskrit word for a bird (“Caraka: puṇḍarīkākṣa, cf. mallikākṣa”). This animal is from the group called Plava (‘those which float’ or ‘those move about in large flocks’). Plava itself is a sub-group of the group of animals known as Ānupa (those that frequent marshy places).
Source: archive.org: Sushruta samhita, Volume I
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)
Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक):—Son of Nabha (son of Niṣadha). He had a son named Kṣemadhanvā. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.12.1)
Source: Wisdom Library: Bhagavata PuranaPundarika (पुन्दरिक, “Lotus”):—The consequences of using various flowers in worship, (eg. pundarika flowers) confers bliss and lasting wealth to the worshipper, according to the Bhaviṣya-purāṇa (brahmaparva, 197:1-11)
Source: Wisdom Library: Bhavishya-purana1) Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक).—One of the seven major mountains in Krauñcadvīpa, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 88. All of these mountains are tall and filled with gems. It is also known by the name Toyāsaha.
2) Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक).—One of the seven major rivers situated in Krauñcadvīpa, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 88. It is also known by the name Bahulā.
Krauñcadvīpa is one of the seven islands (dvīpa), ruled over by Jyotiṣmān, one of the ten sons of Priyavrata, who is the son of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.
The Varāhapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century. It is composed of two parts and Sūta is the main narrator.
Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa1) Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक).—A King born of the race of Śrī Rāma. He was the son of Niṣadha and father of Kṣemadhanvā. (9th Skandha, Bhāgavata).
2) Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक).—One of the Aṣṭadiggajas (elephants guarding the eight zones). (See under Aṣṭadiggajas).
3) Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक).—A brahmin who lived during the period of Nārada. Nārada once held a scholarly conversation with him on virtue. He saw Mahāviṣṇu in person and attained sāyujya (intimate union with a deity). (Chapter 124, Anuśāsana Parva).
4) Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक).—A great yajña. (Śloka 100, Chapter 5, Sabhā Parva).
5) Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक).—A holy place situated on the border of Kurukṣetra. One who bathes in a sacred pond there would get the benefit of doing a Puṇḍarīkayajña. (Śloka 83, Chapter 83, Vana Parva).
6) Puṇḍarīkā (पुण्डरीका).—A nymph. This maiden was present for the Janmotsava of Arjuna and performed a dance then. (Śloka 13, Chapter 122, Ādi Parva).
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopaedia1a) Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक).—The son of Nabha and father of Kṣemadhanvan.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 12. 1; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 63. 202; Vāyu-purāṇa 88. 202; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 4, 106. Matsya-purāṇa 12. 53.
1b) A mountain in Krauñcadvīpa.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 19. 68; Matsya-purāṇa 122. 82; Vāyu-purāṇa 49. 63.
1c) An elephant born of Rathanthara.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 335; Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 219.
1d) A sacred tīrtha fit for śrāddha.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 13. 56; Vāyu-purāṇa 77. 55.
1e) The name of a yājña or sacrifice.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 53. 27; Vāyu-purāṇa 71. 77.
1f) A Nāga.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 72.
1g) (also Puṇḍarikākṣa) Viṣṇu.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 106. 55; 108. 89; 109. 24 and 34.
2a) Puṇḍarīkā (पुण्डरीका).—The eldest daughter of Vasiṣṭha and Ūrjā; wife of Prāṇa (Pāṇḍu, son of Vidhāta and Āyatī, Vāyu-purāṇa.) and mother of Dyutimān.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 11. 9, 40; Vāyu-purāṇa 28. 7, 34-5.
2b) A R. from the lake Payodā.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 18. 70.
2c) A river in Krauñcadvīpā.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 19. 75; Matsya-purāṇa 122. 88; Vāyu-purāṇa 49. 69; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 4. 55.
2d) An Apsaras.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 8; Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 7.
3) Pundarīkā (पुन्दरीका).—A river rising on the western side of the Meru Mountain.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 47. 67.
Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. V.101.13/V.103) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Puṇḍarīka) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
Puṇḍarīka also refers to the name of a Tīrtha (pilgrim’s destination) mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. III.81.69).
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक):—One of the eight guardians of Vaikuṇṭha, according to the Pāñcarātra literature. These eight guardians are part of the celestial entourage of Viṣṇu.
Source: Wisdom Library: Pāñcarātra
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक) refers to a type of temple (prāsāda) classified, according to Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra chapter 57. The temple is mentioned as one of the twenty temples being a favorite of Viṣṇu. The Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra is an 11th-century encyclopedia dealing with various topics from the Vāstuśāstra.
Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstra
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)
Puṇḍarika (पुण्डरिक) refers to one of the forty-seven tānas (tone) used in Indian music.—The illustration of Puṇḍarika (as a deity) according to 15th-century Indian art is as follows.—The colour of his body is yellow. His face is similar to the face of a horse. A viṇā is in his both hands.
The illustrations (of, for example Puṇḍarika) are found scattered throughout ancient Jain manuscripts from Gujarat. The descriptions of these illustrations of this citrāvalī are based on the ślokas of Vācanācārya Gaṇi Sudhākalaśa’s Saṅgītopaniṣatsāroddhāra (14th century) and Śārṅgadeva’s Saṅgītaratnākara (13th century).
Source: archive.org: Illustrations of Indian Music and Dance in Western Indian Style

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.
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
1. Pundarika. One of the state elephants of Pasenadi. DhA.ii.1.
2. Pundarika. A Niraya; it is a period of suffering in Avici, equal to twenty Uppalaka. S.i.152; SN., p.126; SNA.ii.476.
3. Pundarika. One of the four treasure troves left behind by the Buddha when he renounced the world. DA.i.284.
Pundarika Sutta. A monk, staying in a forest tract in Kosala, once entered a lotus pool and inhaled the scent of a lotus. The deva of the forest, desirous of his welfare, called him scent thief and engaged him in conversation, whereby he was greatly agitated. S.i.204f.
-- or --
. A class of nymphs who provided music for Sakka, or, perhaps, the name of some musical instruments. See VvA.93, 96, 211; and 372f.
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesTheravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक) is the name of a hell according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XXII).—Accordingly, “Twenty stays in the Utpala hell equal one stay in the Fen t’o li kia (Puṇḍarīka) hell. – Twenty stays in the Puṇḍarīka hell equals one stay in the Mo ho po t’eou mo (Mahāpadma) hell. Kokālika has fallen into the Mahāpadma hell”.
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक).—Name of a lake situated on top of the Śikharin mountain range. There are seven such mountain ranges (or, varṣadharaparvatas) located in Jambūdvīpa according to Jaina cosmology. Puṇḍarīka has at its centre a large padmahrada (lotus-island), which is home to the Goddess Lakṣmī. Jambūdvīpa sits at the centre of madhyaloka (‘middle world’) and is the most important of all continents and it is here where human beings reside.
Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक) is the name of a garden situated above Nandana (a terrace grove), which is situated 500 yojanas from Bhadraśālā, which is located at the base of mount Meru, which lies at in the center of Jambudvīpa. Jambūdvīpa sits at the centre of madhyaloka (‘middle world’) is the most important of all continents and it is here where human beings reside.
Source: Wisdom Library: JainismPuṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक) refers to one of the fourteen limbs of the external-corpus (aṅga-bāhya). The Aṅgabāhya refers to one of the two types of scriptural knowledge (śruta), which refers to one of the five types of knowledge (jñāna). according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 1.20, “scriptural knowledge (śruta) preceded by sensory knowledge (mati) is of two, or of twelve or of many kinds (eg., pundarika)”.
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 1Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक) is a lake lying on top of mount Śikharī (Śikharin), situated in Jambūdvīpa: the first continent of the Madhya-loka (middle-word), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 3.10. There is a giant lotus (puṣkara) in the centre of the lakes (eg., Puṇḍarīka). In these lotuses live the nymphs (eg., Lakṣmī, ‘wealth’ for the Puṇḍarīka lake), whose lifetime is one pit-measured period (playa) and who live with Sāmānikas (co-chiefs) and Pāriṣadas (counsellors). A sāmānika is a deity who is equal to Indra in life-span, power and enjoyment but lack grandeur. The pāriṣadas (counsellors) are friendly deities who are members of Indra’s council.
Jambūdvīpa (where lies the Puṇḍarīka lake) is in the centre of all continents and oceans; all continents and oceans are concentric circles with Jambūdvīpa in the centre. Like the navel is in the centre of the body, Jambūdvīpa is in the centre of all continents and oceans. Sumeru Mount is in the centre of Jambūdvīpa. It is also called Mount Sudarśana.

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
Pali-English dictionary
puṇḍarīka : (nt.) white lotus.
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English DictionaryPuṇḍarīka, (nt.) (Non-Aryan (?). Cp. Vedic puṇḍarīka) the white lotus D. I, 75=A. III, 26 (in sequence uppala, padụma, p.); D. II, 4 (Sikhī puṇḍarīkassa mūle abhisambuddho); M. III, 93; S. I, 138, 204=J. III, 309; A. I, 145 (uppala paduma p.); II, 86 sq. (samaṇa° adj.); Sn. 547; J. V, 45, 215 (°ttac’aṅgī=ratta-paduma-patta-vaṇṇasarīrā); Vv 4412 (=seta-kamala VvA. 191); Pv. II, 122; III, 33 (pokkharaṇī bahu °ā); Pug. 63; DA. I, 219, 284 (saṅkho elo uppalo puṇḍarīko ti cattāro nidhayo). N. of a hell S. I, 152; Sn. p. 126 (here in sq. Uppalaka, Puṇḍ°, Paduma). (Page 465)
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary
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-English dictionary
Puṇḍarīka (पुण्डरीक).—1 A lotus-flower, especially a white lotus; Nelumbium Speciosum; हृत्पुण्डरीकान्तरसंनिविष्टं स्वतेजसा व्याप्तनभोऽवकाशम् (hṛtpuṇḍarīkāntarasaṃniviṣṭaṃ svatejasā vyāptanabho'vakāśam) Śivakavacha; U.6.12,29; Māl.9.14.
2) A white parasol.
3) A medicine, drug.
-kaḥ 1 The white colour.
2) Name of the elephant presiding over the south-east direction; तेन द्विपानामिव पुण्डरीको राज्ञामजय्योऽजनि पुण्डरीकः (tena dvipānāmiva puṇḍarīko rājñāmajayyo'jani puṇḍarīkaḥ) R.18.8.
3) A tiger.
4) A kind of serpent.
5) A species of rice.
6) A kind of leprosy.
7) A fever in an elephant.
8) A kind of mango tree.
9) A pitcher, water-pot.
1) Fire.
11) A (sectarial) mark on the fore-head.
12) A kind of sacrifice; पुण्डरीकसहस्रेण वाजपेयशतैस्तथा (puṇḍarīkasahasreṇa vājapeyaśataistathā) Mb.7.63.2.
13) Name of an ancient and renowned devotee of the god Viṭhobā.
Derivable forms: puṇḍarīkam (पुण्डरीकम्).
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionarySanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. 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.
Relevant definitions
Search found 71 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
Pundarikaksha | Puṇḍarīkākṣa (पुण्डरीकाक्ष).—m. (-kṣaḥ) A name of Vishnu. n. (-kṣaṃ) A drug. E. puṇḍarīka a lot... | |
Mahapundarika | Mahāpuṇḍarīka (महापुण्डरीक) is a lake lying on top of mount Rukmī, situated in Jambūdvīpa: the ... | |
Pundarikavitthala | Puṇḍarīkaviṭṭhala (पुण्डरीकविट्ठल) (16th century) otherwise known as Viṭṭhala Puṇḍarīka is a we... | |
Purushapundarika | Puruṣapuṇḍarīka (पुरुषपुण्डरीक).—a superior or eminent man. Derivable forms: puruṣapuṇḍarīkaḥ (... | |
Pundarikatana | Puṇḍarikatāna (पुण्डरिकतान) is another name for puṇḍarika: one of the forty-seven tānas (tone) ... | |
Pundarika-valli | Pundarika Valli is the name of a deity depicted in the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Cidambaram (C... | |
Sphutapundarika | Sphuṭapuṇḍarīka (स्फुटपुण्डरीक).—the expanded (lotus of the) heart; अध्याशयो वा स्फुटपुण्डरीकं ... | |
Pundarikaplava | Puṇḍarīkaplava (पुण्डरीकप्लव).—a kind of bird. Derivable forms: puṇḍarīkaplavaḥ (पुण्डरीकप्लवः)... | |
Pundarikamukhi | Puṇḍarīkamukhī (पुण्डरीकमुखी).—a kind of leech.Puṇḍarīkamukhī is a Sanskrit compound consisting... | |
Saddharma Pundarika Sutra |
The Lotus Sūtra (Sanskrit: Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra) is one of the most popular and influen... | |
Lakshmi | Lakṣmī (लक्ष्मी) is called as Kṣamā Devī, the goddess of earth; and Prajānām Bhavasī Mātā, the ... | |
Padma | Padma (पद्म).—(paduma) , m. or nt., (1) n. of a kind of brahmanical sacrifice: Mv ii.237.20 (pr... | |
Raga | Rāga (राग).—m. (-gaḥ) 1. Colour, hue, tint. dye. 2. A flection, prepossession, love, desire. 3.... | |
Nila | Nīlā (नीला).—n. of a rākṣasī: Māy 244.1. | |
Nabha | Nabha (नभ).—Zero. Note: Nabha is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such... |
Relevant text
Search found 43 books and stories containing Pundarika, Puṇḍarīkā, Puṇḍarīkā, Puṇḍarīka, Pundarīka or Pundarīkā. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Brahmanda Purana (by G.V. Tagare)
Chapter 11 - The creation of Sages (saptarṣi) < [Section 2 - Anuṣaṅga-pāda]
Chapter 18 - Description of the Jambūdvīpa < [Section 2 - Anuṣaṅga-pāda]
Chapter 19 - Description of Plakṣa and other continents (dvīpa) < [Section 2 - Anuṣaṅga-pāda]
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Buddha Chronicle 20: Sikhī Buddhavaṃsa < [Chapter 9 - The chronicle of twenty-four Buddhas]
Supplement (d): The Eight Differences (vematta) < [Chapter 9 - The chronicle of twenty-four Buddhas]
Part 4 - The Birth of the Bodhisatta < [Chapter 1 - The Jewel of the Buddha]
The Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 17 - The Narrative of Creation < [Section 7.1 - Vāyavīya-saṃhitā (1)]
Chapter 42 - Power of the Pitṛs < [Section 5 - Umā-Saṃhitā]
Chapter 39 - Kings of the solar race (sūryavaṃśa) < [Section 5 - Umā-Saṃhitā]
List of Mahabharata people and places (by Laxman Burdak)
The Vishnu Purana (by Horace Hayman Wilson)
Chapter X - The descendants of the daughters of Daksa married to the Rsis < [Book I]
Chapter IV - Account of kings, divisions, mountains, rivers, and inhabitants of the other Dvipas < [Book II]
Chapter XXI - Families of the Daityas < [Book I]
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Part 14: Death of Puṇḍarīka with a crore of sādhus < [Chapter VI]
Part 6: Fight with Bali < [Chapter III - Ānandapuruṣapundarīkabalicaritra]
Part 7: Story of Puṇḍarīka and Kaṇḍarīka < [Chapter IX - Stories of the ploughman]