Sarshapa, aka: Sārṣapa, Sarṣapa; 8 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 and Itihasa (epic history)

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”.

Sarṣapa (सर्षप) refers to “big mustard” and is used in the worship of Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.14:—“worship with Rājikā (small mustard) of Śiva shall bring about the death of enemies (śatrumṛtyu). Twenty palas of Sarṣapa (big mustard) constitute a hundred thousand in number. Worshipping with them also brings about the death of enemies (śatrumṛtyu). The Śivaliṅga shall be decorated with the leaves of Āḍhakī and then worshipped”.

Sarṣapa can also be used in the Tailadhārā ceremony: “Oil-Dhārā [viz., tailadhārā] shall be performed on Śivaliṅga for harassing enemies. Success in the enterprise is certain. If scented oil is used, worldly pleasures will be increased. If mustard oil (sarṣapa) is used, enemies will be exterminated undoubtedly. If honey (madhu) is used, the devotee will become Kubera (God of wealth). The Dhārā of sugarcane juice (ikṣurasa) is conducive to all pleasures. [...] In all these Dhārās Mṛtyuñjaya-mantra shall be muttered ten thousand times. Eleven Brahmins shall be fed”.

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.

India history and geogprahy

Sarṣapa.—a small unit of measurement; sometimes specified as ‘red’ (JNSI, Vol. XVI, p. 48). Note: sarṣapa is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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Sarṣapa.—sometimes called ‘red sarṣapa’; a small unit of measurement. Note: sarṣapa is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as 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.

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).

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

-pam Mustard-oil.

Sarṣapa (सर्षप).—m.

(-paḥ) 1. A sort of mustard, (Sinapis dichotoma.) 2. A kind of poison. 3. A small measure of weight, a mustard seed so considered. f. (-pī) A small bird. E. sṛ to go, ap Unadi aff, suk aug.

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Sārṣapa (सार्षप).—mfn.

(-paḥ-pī-paṃ) Mustard, made of or from mustard. n.

(-paṃ) Mustard-oil. E. sarṣapa, and aṇ aff.

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