Putraka, Putrakā: 18 definitions
Introduction:
Putraka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaPutraka (पुत्रक).—A King. (See under Pāṭalīputra).
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationPutraka (पुत्रक) refers to “child”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.4.3 (“The boyhood sports of Kārttikeya”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] Realising his desire, the Kṛttikās, O sage, took him to their region joyously. Feeding him with their breast milk they nursed and nurtured Śiva’s son who was more refulgent than the sun. They never let him go out of their sight. He became the object of their love (premapātra), dearer to them than their own lives. Verily he who nurses and nurtures the child (putraka) has the right of possession over the son. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexPutraka (पुत्रक).—A son of Kuru.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 99. 218.

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.
Kavya (poetry)
Source: Wisdom Library: KathāsaritsāgaraPutraka (पुत्रक) is the grandson of Bhojika, a Brāhman, whose story is told in the tale called ‘the founding of the city of Pāṭaliputra’, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 3. Accordingly, Śiva told the three daughters of Bhojika in a dream: “This young son of yours shall be called Putraka; and every day when he awakes from sleep a hundred thousand gold pieces shall be found under his pillow, and at last he shall become a king.”
The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Putraka, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.

Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraPutraka (पुत्रक, “son”) refers to a specific “mode of address” (nāman) used in drama (nāṭya), according to Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 19. Putraka is used by the guru or the father to address a disciple or a son. A similair term that can be used in the same situation would be Vatsa.

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Shodhganga: Temple management in the ĀgamasPutraka (पुत्रक) refers to a Śaiva initiate who underwent the Viśeṣadīkṣā, as defined in Dīkṣā (initiation) hierarchy.—Dīkṣā also gives rise to four broad hierarchies, depending on the ritual performed and the resulting spiritual progress. Samaya and Viśeṣa dīkṣā lead an initiate up to the rudra-tattva and īśvara-tattva. These initiates are called Samayī. In Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā, special processes cut the kārmic bonds and other bondages, making him a Putraka. Abhiṣeka with the sādhyamantra, along with other rituals, makes him a Sādhaka. Abhiṣeka with all mantras, along with other rituals, makes the Sādhaka an Ācārya. Each level of dīkṣā bestows certain rights and responsibilities on the initiate.
The Samayī and Putraka can only perform nityapūjā, if they have niradhikāra-dīkṣā. The Samayī, Putraka and Sādhaka all work under the Ācārya and assist him in different ways during the pūjā. They are all under a sort of apprenticeship, getting trained formally as well as by observation.
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric TraditionsPutraka (पुत्रक) or Suta refers to a type Śaiva initiate [?], according to the Kiraṇatantra chapter 31.—Accordingly, “Garuḍa spoke: ‘What are the day-to-day activities of the neophyte (samayī) and the putraka [i.e., suta]? Tell me this. You have not taught me the [regular rules of] behaviour (caryā) before’”.

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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramPutraka (पुत्रक) refers to a “spiritual son”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “How is (the conduct of) the follower of the Rule (samayin), the spiritual son (putraka) and the adept (sādhaka)? (What is) the state of the teacher (ācārya)? In brief, (what is) the teaching concerning the four stages of life (āśrama)”.

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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) Putraka (पुत्रक) refers to one of the four class of Śiṣya (aspirants), according to the seventeenth chapter of the Jayākhyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra Āgama text composed of 4500 verses in 33 chapters dealing with topics such as mantra (formulas), japa (repetitions), dhyāna (meditations), mudrā (gesticulations), nyāsa (concentrations) etc.—Description of the chapter [śiṣyabheda]:—There are four classes of śiṣyas—samayin or samayajña, putraka, sādhaka and ācārya. To Nārada’s question about them (1-2), Śrībhagavān takes each one of these up for individual discussion (3-11, 12-16, 17-28, 46-62). A section on the daily duties [ācāra] of the sādhaka is also rehearsed (29-45).
2) Putraka (पुत्रक) refers to an “initiate who has completed the second year”, as discussed in chapter 1 of the Pauṣkarasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text of almost 5900 verses divided into forty-three chapters presented as a frame-work dialogue between Pauṣkara and Bhagavān dealing with the esoteric meaning of maṇḍala-designs, worship routines and temple-building.—Description of the chapter [śiṣyaparīkṣā-lakṣaṇa]: An initiate must first approach his preceptor in the Pāñcarātra in the traditional way. The initiation into Pāñcarātra requires four years progressive mastery over (each of) four maṇḍalas—[e.g., after completing the second year stage he is called Putraka, having mastered the anekakajagarbha-maṃḍala] [...]. Greater than all these four is the Mahācakra of nine constituent lotuses which is productive of the highest spiritual benefit. [...]
3) Putraka (पुत्रक) refers to a classification of Pāñcarātra initiation (dīkṣā), as discussed in chapter 2 of the Viṣṇusaṃhitā: a Sanskrit text written in 2600 verses which covers typical Pāñcarātra topics through a narrative dialogue between Aupagāyana and Siddha Sumati.—Description of the chapter [tantra-vyākhyā]: This chapter concerns itself with a clarification of certain ideas and terms, viz., [...] how the people who undergo dīkṣā-initiation are to be distinguished [Samayin, Putraka, Sādhaka, Deśika and Guru—40-49a] [...]

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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryPutraka (पुत्रक).—[putra anukampāyāṃ saṃjñāyāṃ vā kan svārthe ka vā]
1) A little son or boy, boy, chap, lad (often used as a term of endearment); हा हा पुत्रक नाधीतं सुगतैतासु रात्रिषु (hā hā putraka nādhītaṃ sugataitāsu rātriṣu).
2) A doll, puppet; सा कन्दुकैः कृत्रिमपुत्रकैश्च रेमे (sā kandukaiḥ kṛtrimaputrakaiśca reme) Kumārasambhava 1.29.
3) A rogue, cheat.
4) A locust, grass-hopper.
5) A fabulous animal with eight feet (śarabha).
6) Hair.
7) A pitiable person.
Derivable forms: putrakaḥ (पुत्रकः).
--- OR ---
Putrakā (पुत्रका).—
1) A daughter.
2) A doll, puppet.
3) A daughter appointed to raise male issue for a father who has no sons; अपुत्राऽ नेन विधिना सुतां कुर्वीत पुत्रिकाम् । यदपत्यं भवेदस्यां तन्मम स्यात् स्वधाकरम् (aputrā' nena vidhinā sutāṃ kurvīta putrikām | yadapatyaṃ bhavedasyāṃ tanmama syāt svadhākaram) || Manusmṛti 9.127.
4) The cotton or down of the tamarisk.
6) A small statue; तद्धाम्नाऽभूदजस्तूष्णीं पूर्देव्यन्तीव पुत्रिका (taddhāmnā'bhūdajastūṣṇīṃ pūrdevyantīva putrikā) Bhāgavata 1.13.56.
6) (At the end of comp.) Anything little or small of its kind; as in असिपुत्रिका, खड्गपुत्रिका (asiputrikā, khaḍgaputrikā) &c.
See also (synonyms): putrikā.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryPutraka (पुत्रक).—[putra + ka], I. m. A son, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 2, 151. Ii. f. trikā and trakā. 1. A daughter, [Pañcatantra] 190, 2. 2. A daughter appointed to raise issue for her father, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 9, 127. 3. A doll, Böhtl. Ind. Spr. 635.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryPutraka (पुत्रक).—[masculine] little son, boy, [Name] of a man; [feminine] putrikā daughter, [especially] adopted daughter ([jurisprudence]), puppet, dole.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Putraka (पुत्रक):—[from putra] m. a little son, boy, child (often used as a term of endearment; ifc. f(ikā). ), [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.
2) [v.s. ...] a puppet, doll, figure of stone or wood or lac etc. (cf. kṛtrima-, jatu-, śilā-; [gana] yāvādi)
3) [v.s. ...] a rogue, cheat, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] a species of small venomous animal (enumerated among the Mūṣikas), [Suśruta]
5) [v.s. ...] a grasshopper, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
6) [v.s. ...] a fabulous animal with 8 legs (= śarabha), [Horace H. Wilson]
7) [v.s. ...] hair, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
8) [v.s. ...] a species of tree, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
9) [v.s. ...] a grinding-stone, [Gobhila-śrāddha-kalpa [Scholiast or Commentator]]
10) [v.s. ...] Name of the supposed founder of Pāṭaliputra, [Kathāsaritsāgara]
11) [v.s. ...] of a mountain, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
12) Putrakā (पुत्रका):—[from putraka > putra] f. = next, [Pāṇini 7-3, 45], [vArttika] 10, [Patañjali]
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Putraka (पुत्रक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Puttaya, Puttalaya.
[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 corpusPutraka (ಪುತ್ರಕ):—[noun] = ಪುತ್ರ - [putra -] 1.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryPutraka (पुत्रक):—n. a little son or boy; chap; lad (often used as a term of endearment);
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: Putrakabhartri, Putrakadharma, Putrakadiksha, Putrakalatranashabhita, Putrakama, Putrakamakrishnapancamivrata, Putrakameshti, Putrakamika, Putrakamy, Putrakamya, Putrakamyeshti, Putrakanda, Putrakaprasu, Putrakaputra, Putrakarman, Putrakarya, Putrakasuta.
Full-text (+191): Matulaputraka, Ahiputraka, Kritrimaputraka, Aputraka, Jivaputraka, Muniputraka, Jayaputraka, Pataliputraka, Jatuputraka, Balaputraka, Rishiputraka, Raja-putraka, Yantraputraka, Bharataputraka, Shilaputraka, Brahmanaputraka, Kulaputraka, Karnaputraka, Shatpitaputraka, Ekaputraka.
Relevant text
Search found 41 books and stories containing Putraka, Putrakā; (plurals include: Putrakas, Putrakās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Rig Veda 8.69.8 < [Sukta 69]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story) (by Somadeva)
Chapter III < [Book I - Kathāpīṭha]
Notes on the “magical articles” motif in folk-lore < [Notes]
Foreword to volume 1 < [Forewords]
Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra (by Shanta Srinivasan)
12. Regarding Acharya Abhisheka (consecration) < [Chapter 4 - The Process of Diksha]
Abhijnana Sakuntala (with Katayavema commentary) (by C. Sankara Rama Sastri)
Chapter 7 - Sanskrit text (saptama-anka) < [Abhijnana Sakuntalam, text and commentary]