Putana, Pūtanā, Pūtana, Puṭana: 27 definitions
Introduction:
Putana means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Hindi, 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
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Kubjikāmata-tantraPūtanā (पूतना):—Sanskrit name of one of the twenty-four goddesses of the Sūryamaṇḍala (first maṇḍala of the Khecarīcakra) according to the kubjikāmata-tantra. She is also known as Pavanā according to the Gorakṣa-saṃhitā. The Khecarīcakra is the fifth cakra (‘internal mystic center’) of the five (pañcacakra) and is located on or above the head. She presides over the pītha (‘sacred site’) called Āmrātikeśvara.
Source: academia.edu: A Critical Study of the Vajraḍākamahātantrarāja (II) (shaivism)Pūtanā (पूतना) is the name of a Goddess (Devī) presiding over Āmrātikeśvara: one of the twenty-four sacred districts mentioned in the Kubjikāmatatantra (chapter 22). Her weapon is the gadā. Furthermore, Pūtanā is accompanied by the Kṣetrapāla (field-protector) named Mahākrodha. A similar system appears in the 9th century Vajraḍākatantra (chapter 18).
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botanyPūtanā (पूतना):—One of the seven varieties of Harītakī (‘yellow myrobalan tree’), which is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. It has small fruits with big seeds and can be used for external application. It is found throughout the Sindh area.
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.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: ISKCON Press: GlossaryPūtanā (पूतना).—A witch who was sent by Kaṃsa to appear in the form of a beautiful woman to kill baby Kṛṣṇa but who was killed by Him and granted liberation.
Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad BhagavatamrtamPūtanā (पूतना) refers to:—King Kaṃsa’s demoniac associate who tried to kill newborn baby Kṛṣṇa by nursing Him with breasts smeared with poison, but who died when Kṛṣṇa sucked out her life air. (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’).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia1) Pūtanā (पूतना).—A demoness who was killed by Kṛṣṇa at Ambāḍi. Her previous birth, her relationship with Kaṃsa and such other details are found differently in different Purāṇas. Kaṃsa and Pūtanā.
(i) Pūtanā was the daughter of a demoness called Kaitavī and was the servant maid of the wife of Kaṃsa. She had a younger sister called Vṛkodarī. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 18).
(ii) Pūtanā was the dhātrī (foster-mother) of Kaṃsa. She entered Gokula in the form of a bird. (Harivaṃśa, Chapter 2, Verse 6).
(iii) Pūtanā was the sister of Kaṃsa and the wife of Ghaṭodara. (Brahmavaivarta Purāṇa). Pūrvajanma (previour birth).
(i) Pūtanā in her previous birth was born as the daughter of Mahābali bearing the name Ratnamālā. When Vāmana appeared before Mahābali during the time of the latter’s Yajña, Ratnamālā mentally desired thus:—"Oh if only this Vāmana became my child! I could have then breast-fed him." Vāmana, the omniscient, understood the desire of Ratnamālā. So during the incarnation as Kṛṣṇa, Ratnamālā was born as Pūtanā and Kṛṣṇa gave her salvation by drinking her breast-milk. (Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa, Chapters 4 and 10).
(ii) Once when the sage Kālabhīru and his daughter Cārumatī were travelling together they saw the sage Kakṣīvān doing penance on the shores of the river Sarasvatī. Kālabhīru saw in Kakṣīvān a suitable husband for his daughter and so gave Cārumatī in marriage to him. They were thus living happily together when once Kakṣīvān had to go on a pilgrimage alone leaving Cārumatī in his āśrama. Taking advantage of her loneliness a Śūdra made her his concubine and when Kakṣīvān returned he found out the deceit and cursed her to be born as a demoness. She begged for relief and the sage said she would get relief when Viṣṇu incarnated as Kṛṣṇa. Pūtanā was the cursed form of Cārumatī. (Chapter 18, Ādi Parva). (See full article at Story of Pūtanā from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)
2) Pūtanā (पूतना).—An evil spirit. This spirit which torments children stays with Subrahmaṇya. (See under Grahapīḍā. (Chapter 23, Vana Parva).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Pūtanā (पूतना).—A demoness and a friend of Kaṃsa; was deputed by him to kill all infants. Once she came to Vraja and changing her form to that of a fascinating lady, entered Nanda's house and began to suckle the baby Kṛṣṇa. He understood the purpose and sucked her life out to the wonderment of the Gopīs and Gopas. Her body was cremated and she reached heaven;1 to be propitiated at the commencement of building operations of palaces.2
- 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 2. 1; 6. 2-17, 28 and 34-38; 14. 35; 26. 4; 43. 25; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 29. 124; III. 73. 100; Vāyu-purāṇa 9. 97; 98. 100; Viṣṇu-purāṇa V. 4. 1; 5. 7-11, 23; 6. 23; 15. 2; 29. 5.
- 2) Matsya-purāṇa 268. 29.
1b) A daughter of Bali;1 mother of the bhūtas and a graha.2
1c) A Varṇa śakti.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 44. 59.
1d) A Rākṣasī and wife of Bhadra: Her sons are called Naiṛrtas.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 59. 12-4.
2) Pūtana (पूतन).—A class of fearful Rākṣasas.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 190.
Pūtanā (पूतना) refers to the name of a Lady mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. IX.45.16). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Pūtanā) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Archaeological Survey of India: Śaiva monuments at Paṭṭadakal (śilpa)Pūtanā (पूतना) is depicted as a sculpture on the second pillar of the southern half of the maṇḍapa of the temple of Lokeśvara.—The next sequence shows the demoness Pūtanā who tried to feed the child with her poisonous breasts. In no time, the baby put an end to her life by sucking her blood through her venomous breast. According to Bhāgavata, he was only seven days old, when he encountered Pūtanā. But in the sculpture, he looks a little older.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: ŚāktismPūtanā (पूतना) refers to one of the 53 gods to be worshipped and given pāyasa (rice boiled in milk) according to the Vāstuyāga rite in Śaktism (cf. Śāradātilaka-tantra III-V). The worship of these 53 gods happens after assigning them to one of the 64 compartment while constructing a Balimaṇḍapa. Vāstu is the name of a prodigious demon, who was killed by 53 gods (e.g., Pūtanā).
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchPūtanā (पूतना) is the name of a Yoginī, according to the Brahmayāmala-tantra (or Picumata), an early 7th century Śaiva text consisting of twelve-thousand verses.—Accordingly, [while describing a haṭha-sādhana (foreceful practice)]: “[When the Sādhaka] remains [in the hole] for up to one day, he is freed from all sins. By the second day he [gains] the desired Siddhi [arising from] the mantra. By day three, he accomplishes the rite of [magically] summoning wine. On the fourth, he is sure to see [the Yoginī,] Pūtanā, along with the Mothers. [...]”
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: WikiPedia: HinduismPūtanā (पूतना, “putrefaction”) is a Rakṣasī (demoness), who is killed by the infant-god Kṛṣṇa. Pūtanā is also considered as a foster-mother of Kṛṣṇa as she breast-fed him, though it was with the motive of killing Kṛṣṇa by poisoned milk. By offering her milk, Pūtanā had performed “the supreme act of maternal devotion”, in the shadow of her evil motives. The word “Pūtanā”, broken as pūt (‘virtue’) and nā (‘no’) means “devoid of virtue”. Another explanation derives “Pūtanā” from pūta (‘purifying’), thus meaning “she who purifies”.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism1) Pūtana (पूतन) refers to a group of deities summoned by the Yamāntaka-mantra and 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 Pūtana).
2) Pūtanā (पूतना) also refers to one of the various Mātṛs and Mahāmātṛs mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa.
Source: academia.edu: A Critical Study of the Vajraḍākamahātantrarāja (II)Pūtanā (पूतना) is the name of a Goddess (Devī) presiding over Āmraka: one of the twenty-four sacred districts mentioned in the 9th century Vajraḍākatantra (chapter 18). Her weapons are the lāṅgala and gaya. Furthermore, Pūtanā is accompanied by the Kṣetrapāla (field-protector) named Mahāvrata and their abode is a dāru-tree.
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.
India history and geography
Source: Academia: Ritual Period: A Comparative Study of Three Newar Buddhist Menarche ManualsPutana (पुतन) refers to “child-illness-inducing female demons”, according to the “Vādhā byaṃ ke vidhi”: the name of two manuscripts written by (1) Kathmandu-based priest, Badriratna Bajracharya and (2) Buddharatna Bajracharya from Lalitpur.—Badriratna’s text pays the most attention to the invocations of celestial bodies and other cosmologically grouped agents. The list consists of [e.g., child-illness-inducing female demons (putanas)]. In this list, we particularly find the dark forces that are especially adept at causing problems for women, children and, more specifically, girl children, addressed and harnessed. The occurrence of Skanda, in his pairing with his female counterpart, Putana, and his retinue of harmful creatures is a particularly striking one. Skanda appears here not as Siva’s prince-like bachelor warrior-son known from Puranic mythology, but as the demonic deity closer to the likes of Śītālā or Hārītī, goddesses of smallpox and killers or, where they adopt a benign attitude, protectors of children.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)Putana in India is the name of a plant defined with Terminalia chebula in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Myrobalanus chebula Gaertn. (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· FBI (1878)
· Plant Systematics and Evolution (1996)
· Journal of Cytology and Genetics (1990)
· Systema Naturae, ed. 12 (1767)
· Taxon (1979)
· De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum (1790)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Putana, for example pregnancy safety, chemical composition, side effects, health benefits, extract dosage, diet and recipes, 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 dictionaryPuṭana (पुटन).—Enveloping, wrapping.
Derivable forms: puṭanam (पुटनम्).
--- OR ---
Pūtana (पूतन).—A dead body in a cemetery.
-nā 1 Name of a female demon who, while attempting to kill Kṛṣṇa, when but an infant, was herself crushed by him.
2) A demoness, or Rākṣasī in general; मा पूतनात्वमुपगाः शिवतातिरेधि (mā pūtanātvamupagāḥ śivatātiredhi) Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 9.5.
3) Terminalia chebula (harītakī); 'पूतना राक्षसीभेदे हरीतक्यां च पूतना (pūtanā rākṣasībhede harītakyāṃ ca pūtanā)' Viśva.
Derivable forms: pūtanaḥ (पूतनः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryPūtanā (पूतना).—f.
(-nā) 1. Yellow myrobalan, (Terminalia chebula.) 2. The name of a female demon killed by Krishna, when he was but an infant on her attempting to take his life. 3. A disease, atrophy and wasting in a child, ascribed to the malignant operations of the female fiend Putana. E. pūt to be pure, nominal verb, yuc aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryPūtanā (पूतना).—1. Yellow mvrobalan, Terminalia Chebula. 2. The name of a female demon causing a certain disease of children, and killed by Kṛṣṇa.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryPūtana (पूतन).—[masculine] a kind of demon; [feminine] ā, [abstract] tva [neuter]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Puṭana (पुटन):—[from puṭ] n. enveloping, wrapping up, [Bhāvaprakāśa]
2) Pūtana (पूतन):—m. a [particular] class of demons or spirits (also = vetāla), [Mālatīmādhava; Bālarāmāyaṇa; Saddharma-puṇḍarīka]
3) Pūtanā (पूतना):—[from pūtana] a f. See next.
4) [v.s. ...] b f. Name of a female demon (said to cause a [particular] disease in children, and to have offered her poisoned breast to the infant Kṛṣṇa who seized it and sucked away her life; regarded also as one of the Mātṛs attending upon Skanda, and as a Yoginī), [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Kāvya literature; Purāṇa]
5) [v.s. ...] a kind of disease in a child (ascribed to the demon P°), [Horace H. Wilson]
6) [v.s. ...] Terminalia Chebula, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
7) [v.s. ...] a species of Valeriana, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
8) [v.s. ...] [wrong reading] for pṛtanā
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryPūtanā (पूतना):—(nā) 1. f. Yellow myrobalan; name of a female demon; a disease, atrophy, which is ascribed to the demon.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Pūtanā (पूतना) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Pūaṇā, Pūaṇī.
[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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryPūtanā (पूतना):—(nf) a demonic woman who was commissioned by [kaṃsa], the king of Mathura:, to kill Lord Krishn by making him suck at her poisoned breasts; —[kā dūdha] Greek gift, Trojan horse, treacherous gift.
...
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryPūtanā (पूतना):—n. Mythol. name of a female demon who; while attempting to kill Krishna when but an infant; was herself cursed by him;
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)
Starts with (+10): Puta-nali, Putanacan, Putanacanam, Putanacariram, Putanacini, Putanadoshaparihara, Putanadushana, Putanahan, Putanai, Putanajivitahara, Putanakesha, Putanakeshi, Putanallamanu, Putanamavasi, Putanamokshanaprastava, Putanan, Putananuga, Putanari, Putanasudana, Putanasya.
Ends with: Ahiputana, Andhaputana, Aparuputana, Bepputana, Drishtiputana, Gandhaputana, Karpuraputana, Kataputana, Mahakataputana, Mahaputana, Pariputana, Shitaputana, Somputana, Tvakpariputana, Vrishaputana.
Full-text (+53): Putanasudana, Putanahan, Putanari, Putanika, Pautanya, Andhaputana, Pariputana, Putanavidhana, Putanatva, Ahiputana, Kataputana, Putanakesha, Putanakeshi, Putanamokshanaprastava, Putanay, Puana, Putanaya, Putanadushana, Pautana, Gandhaputana.
Relevant text
Search found 61 books and stories containing Putana, Pūtanā, Pūtana, Puṭana; (plurals include: Putanas, Pūtanās, Pūtanas, Puṭanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.3.10 < [Part 3 - Involuntary Ecstatic Expressions (sattvika-bhāva)]
Verse 3.4.7 < [Part 4 - Parenthood (vātsalya-rasa)]
Verse 4.6.8 < [Part 5 - Dread (bhayānaka-rasa)]
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 2.1.338 < [Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Lord’s Manifestation and His Instructions on Kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana]
Verse 1.8.88 < [Chapter 8 - The Disappearance of Jagannātha Miśra]
Verse 1.9.21 < [Chapter 9 - Nityānanda’s Childhood Pastimes and Travels to Holy Places]
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 5.1.7 < [Chapter 1 - Advice to Kaṃsa]
Verse 2.1.8 < [Chapter 1 - Description of the Entrance in Vṛndāvana]
Verse 2.18.25 < [Chapter 18 - The Sight of Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra]
The Vishnu Purana (by Horace Hayman Wilson)
Chapter V - Killing of Putana < [Book V]
Chapter IV - Freedom from imprisonment < [Book V]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 1.7.143 < [Chapter 7 - Pūrṇa (pinnacle of excellent devotees)]
Verse 1.5.29 < [Chapter 5 - Priya (the beloved devotees)]
Verse 1.7.108 < [Chapter 7 - Pūrṇa (pinnacle of excellent devotees)]
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