Saurashtri, Saurāṣṭrī: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Saurashtri means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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.
The Sanskrit term Saurāṣṭrī can be transliterated into English as Saurastri or Saurashtri, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
Saurāṣṭrī (सौराष्ट्री, “alum”):—One of the eight uparasa (‘secondary minerals’), a group of eight minerals, according to the Rasaprakāśasudhākara: a 13th century Sanskrit book on Indian alchemy, or, Rasaśāstra. It is also known by the synonyms Sphaṭikā, Tubarī and Kāṅkṣī. Alum is a chemical compound obtained from Alunite (sulfate minerals) or Bauxite (aluminium ore).
There are two varieties of Alum (saurāṣṭrī):
- Phullikā
-
and Khaṭikā
Saurastri or Saurastra-mrittika refers to a kind of earth from which alum is extracted. (see Bhudeb Mookerji and his Rasajalanidhi)
Saurāṣṭrī (Alum)—That which is produced from the mines of Saurāṣṭra Pradeśa is known as Saurāṣṭrī. It is also known as Tuvarī (Tubarī). And if it is pasted on white cloth it makes the colour fast hence it is known as raṅgabandhakarī.
Its two varieties are mentioned,
- Phullikā,
- Khaṭika.
The Kāṅkṣī (Alum) is kaṣāya, madhura and kaṭu-rasas, destroys kaphadoṣa and viṣadoṣa, cures vraṇas, netrarogas, tridoṣaja-rogas and also kuṣṭha-rogas. It helps for bījajāraṇa in pārada (mercury)
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Saurāṣṭrī (सौराष्ट्री) refers to “alum”, or, more precisely, a double sulphate of aluminum and potassium (or aluminum and ammonia). It is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā and the Suśruta-saṃhitā.
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.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Saurāṣṭrī (सौराष्ट्री) refers to one of the sixty-four inner channels running through the nirmāṇacakra, according to the 10th century Ḍākārṇava chapter 15. Nirmāṇacakra is an inner circle of the shape of a lotus with sixty-four petals. This inner circle is visualized in one’s abdomen. The inner channels [viz., Saurāṣṭrī] run through the petals of these inner circles.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Kannada-English dictionary
Saurāṣṭri (ಸೌರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಿ):—
1) [noun] a kind of fragrant soil (of ಸೌರಾಷ್ಟ್ರ [saurashtra]).
2) [noun] a kind of vine of Cucurbitaceae family.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Saurashtrika.
Full-text: Sphatika, Tubari, Kankshin, Phullika, Khatika, Parvata, Parvvata, Uparasa.
Relevant text
Search found 11 books and stories containing Saurashtri, Saurāṣṭrī, Saurastri, Saurāṣṭri; (plurals include: Saurashtris, Saurāṣṭrīs, Saurastris, Saurāṣṭris). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Minerals and Metals in Sanskrit literature (by Sulekha Biswas)
12. Iatro-Chemical Texts < [Chapter 8 - Non-gem Minerals and Metals in Rasa-shastra]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
A Critical Appraisal on Rasagrantha - Rasendrabhaskara < [Vol. 3 No. 01 (2018)]
A detail review of types of Kshara with special emphasis on Rasashastra < [Vol. 5 No. 04 (2020)]
Sushruta Samhita, Volume 6: Uttara-tantra (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)
Chapter LXII - Symptoms and Treatment of Insanity (Unmada) < [Canto IV - Bhuta-vidya-tantra (psychology and psychiatry)]
Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study) (by A. Yamuna Devi)
Sushruta Samhita, volume 4: Cikitsasthana (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Role of sthanik chikitsa in yonishaithilya-a review < [2023: Volume 12, February issue 3]
Review: Substituting Ayurvedic metal/mineral drugs with synthetics. < [2017: Volume 6, December issue 16]
Management of switra (vitiligo) in ayurveda – a review < [2019: Volume 8, May issue 6]
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