Sarshapa, aka: Sārṣapa, Sarṣapa; 5 Definition(s)

Introduction

Sarshapa means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, 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.

The Sanskrit terms Sārṣapa and Sarṣapa can be transliterated into English as Sarsapa or Sarshapa, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

1) Sārṣapa (अम्लिका) is a Sanskrit word probably referring to Brassica rapa, a plant species in the Brassicaceae family. Certain plant parts of Sārṣapa are eaten as a vegetable (śāka), according to Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Āyurvedic 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.

According to the Rājanighaṇṭu (verses 7.147), the leaves of the Sāṛsapa (sārṣapapatra) are very hot and cause vitiation of rakta and pitta. This śāka is pungent, tasty and causes burning sensation. It though improves appetite yet causes loss of semen production.

Properties according to Caraka-saṃhitā: The vegetable of mustard aggravates three doṣas, is constipating and antidiuretic (similar is that of ratkanāla (raktanāla?) which is particularly rough and sour).

2) Sarṣapa (सर्षप) is a Sanskrit word referring to the Brassica juncea (“Indian mustard”), a species of mustard plant from the Brassicaceae (cabbage) family. It is also known as Rājikā, or as Kaṭaku in the Malayalam language. It is used throughout Āyurvedic literature such as the Suśruta-saṃhitā. The leaves, seeds and the stem of this plant are edible.

context information

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

Sarṣapa (सर्षप) refers to “mustard”, forming part of a common diet in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) as mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—Sarṣapa (mustard) is mentioned as an unguent and as a gift for the Brāhmaṇas (verse 472). Most of the references to the articles of diet occur in the Nīlamata in connection with the offerings made to the gods but it is not difficult to infer from them the food and drink of the common people because “what a man eats his gods eat”.

context information

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Sarṣapa (सर्षप) denoting ‘mustard’ or ‘mustard seed’, occurs only a few times in later Vedic texts.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

sarṣapa (सर्षप).—m S A sort of mustard, Sinapis dichotoma. 2 A mustard seed as a measure of weight.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Sarṣapa (सर्षप).—[Uṇ.3.141]

1) Mustard; खलः सर्षपमात्राणि परच्छिद्राणि पश्यति (khalaḥ sarṣapamātrāṇi paracchidrāṇi paśyati) Subhāṣ.; Māl.1.6.

2) A small measure of weight.

3) A sort of poison.

Derivable forms: sarṣapaḥ (सर्षपः).

--- OR ---

Sārṣapa (सार्षप).—a. (-pī f.) Made of mustard.

-pam Mustard-oil.

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