Purvakarma, Pūrvakarma, Purvakarman, Pūrvakarman, Purva-karman: 12 definitions
Introduction:
Purvakarma means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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
Ayurveda (science of life)
Purva-karma is a medical term used in Ayurveda meaning "preliminary measures":
Several authorities hold that acts such as fasting, administration of purgatives, etc. should be included within the preliminary measures (Purva-karma).
Others, on the contrary, lay down that measures adopted for the absorption, lubrication (pacification by the application of oily substances) or elimination of the deranged bodily humours by sweating should be grouped under the first subhead (Purva-karma).
While according to others the active medicinal agents employed to cope with the deranged humours in the incubative stage of a bodily disease till the appearance of its first characteristic symptoms, should be denominated as the Preliminary measure (Purva-karma);

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.
Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)
Pūrvakarman (पूर्वकर्मन्) refers to the “Karma accumulated in previous existences”, 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, “[...] Moreover, charming couplets are often heard chanted by the Manes for the welfare of Ruci, who was for renouncing the world:—‘O darling, man’s karma accumulated in previous existences (pūrvakarman) [pūrvakarma kṛtaṃ], that is, his merits und demerits, wears away day and night by his “enjoyments,” that is, his experiences of the joys and sorrows of life. Therefore you, who know what dharma is, will attain peace when your karma wears away’”.

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
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Pūrvakarman (पूर्वकर्मन्) refers to “one’s previous actions”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 31).—Accordingly, “[...] By means of the wind (vāta) of deceptive concepts (mṛṣāvikalpa) and wrong thoughts, the father and mother (mātāpitṛ) blow upon the fire (agni) of sexual desire (rāga); blood (rudhira), marrow (majjan) and fat (vasā) escape, get hot and are changed into sperm. The seed-consciousness (vijñānabīja) conditioned by previous actions (pūrvakarman) settles in the blood (śoṇita) and whitish sperm (śukra). That is what is called the seed of the body (kāyabīja). [...]”.

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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
pūrvakarma (पूर्वकर्म).—n (S) Actions done under some former state of being, considered as the generating cause of the pain and pleasure experienced in the present state. Pr. culīpāsīṃ hagāvēṃ āṇi pūrvakarmāsa raḍāvēṃ.
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
Pūrvakarman (पूर्वकर्मन्).—n.
1) a former act or work.
2) the first thing to be done, a prior work.
3) actions done in a former life.
4) preparations, preliminary arrangements.
Pūrvakarman is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms pūrva and karman (कर्मन्).
Pūrvakarman (पूर्वकर्मन्).—[neuter] a former or the first action.
1) Pūrvakarman (पूर्वकर्मन्):—[=pūrva-karman] [from pūrva] n. a former work or action, [Śaṃkarācārya; Kathāsaritsāgara]
2) [v.s. ...] preparation, [Suśruta]
Pūrvakarman (पूर्वकर्मन्):—(pūrva + ka) n.
1) ein früheres Werk: sarvaṃ hi tiṣṭhati . pūrvakarmavaśādeva [Kathāsaritsāgara 40, 41.] [] zu [Bṛhadāranyakopaniṣad] [S. 63.] —
2) Vorbereitung [Suśruta 1, 14, 17.]
--- OR ---
Pūrvakarman (पूर्वकर्मन्):—
1) [Kathāsaritsāgara 101, 199.]
Pūrvakarman (पूर्वकर्मन्):—n. —
1) eine frühere , vorangegangene That. —
2) Vorbereitung.
Pūrvakarma (in Sanskrit) can be associated with the following Chinese terms:
1) 初業 [chū yè]: “first activity”.
Note: pūrvakarma can be alternatively written as: pūrva-karma.
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
Pūrvakarma (ಪೂರ್ವಕರ್ಮ):—[noun] any action, deed done in one’s previous life or lives, the effect of which is extended to the current life.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Pūrvakarma (पूर्वकर्म):—n. 1. a former act or work; 2. a prior work; 3. actions done in a former life;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Karma, Purva.
Starts with: Purvakarmakritavadin, Purvakarmavasha.
Full-text (+1): Purvakarmavasha, Purvakarmakritavadin, Purva, Apurvakarman, Purvakalpane, Purvakarm, Karmapurva, Su ye, Purification, Internal purification, Xian ye li, Xian ye guo, Majjan, Rudhira, Shukra, Vikalpa, Kayabija, Matapitri, Mrishavikalpa, Chu ye.
Relevant text
Search found 20 books and stories containing Purvakarma, Pūrva-karman, Pūrvakarma, Purvakarman, Pūrvakarman, Purva-karman, Pūrva-karma, Purva-karma, Purvakarmas; (plurals include: Purvakarmas, karmans, Pūrvakarmas, Purvakarmans, Pūrvakarmans, karmas, Purvakarmases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Exploration of the concept of sadyovamana < [Volume 7, Issue 3: May - June 2020]
A review on role of uttar basti in the management of erectile dysfunction < [Volume 5, Issue 5: September-October 2018]
Efficacy Study of Saptamrita Ghrita for Vataja Timira/Astigmatism < [Volume 10, Issue 4: July-August 2023]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
Sadyovamana as atyayika chikitsa in panchakarma – a review article < [2022, Issue 06 June]
An insight of importance of deepana and paachana in panchakarma: conceptual study < [2021, Issue 7, July]
Critical review of vamanakarma (therapeutic emesis) procedure in panchkarma < [2017, Issue VI June]
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Effect of purvakarma therapy on post-COVID symptoms management. < [2021: Volume 10, September issue 11]
Significance role of ashtamahadoshkar bhava in shodhan karma - a literary review < [2022: Volume 11, April issue 4]
Panchakarma an overview < [2022: Volume 11, December issue 16]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
Panchakarma Perception - An Overview < [Vol. 1 No. 01 (2016)]
Critical Analysis on Trividha Pariksha with special reference to Panchakarma < [Vol. 7 No. 4 (2022)]
Role of Panchakarma in Male Infertility w.s.r to High Altitude Induced... < [Vol. 8 No. 5 (2023)]
AYU (Journal of Research in Ayurveda)
A comparative clinical study on standardization of Vamana Vidhi by classical and traditional methods < [Volume 33 (4); 2012 (Oct-Dec)]
Role of Pradhamana Nasya and Trayodashanga Kwatha in the management of Dushta Pratishyaya with special reference to chronic sinusitis < [Volume 31 (3); 2010 (Jul-Sep)]
Clinical study of Agnikarma and Panchatikta Guggulu in the management of Sandhivata (osteoartheritis of knee joint) < [Volume 37 (1); 2016 (Jan-Mar)]
International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
Role of Neti Karma On The Basis of Nasya Karma For Health Aspect < [Vol. 4 No. 4: April (2021)]
Akshi Tarpana: An Eye Rejuvenation < [Vol. 5 No. 6: Jun (2022)]
Conceptual Study of Shodhana and Shamana Chikitsa < [Vol. 6 No. 1: Jan (2023)]
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