Saktu, Shaktu, Śaktu: 22 definitions
Introduction:
Saktu means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, 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.
The Sanskrit term Śaktu can be transliterated into English as Saktu or Shaktu, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)
Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval IndiaSaktu (सक्तु) refers to a food-preparation (powder of fried barley, yava) according to the Śatapathabrāhmaṇa IX.1.1.8, and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—Dhāna and karambha, the Vedic offerings made of barley are referred to in Aitareyabrāhmaṇa. Dhāna is prepared by frying barley with butter. The powder of dhānā again fried with butter was called karambha. Powder of fried barley is known as saktu. Sometimes it is also used to prepare a sweet sticky dish namely yavāśir. [...] Barley preparations like yavāgū, dhāna, yāvaka and apūpa can be seen referred to in Mahābhārata.
Saktu refers to a type of “fried grain” (bhṛṣṭa-dhānya) and is classified as a type of grain (dhānya) in the section on tṛṇadhānya (grassy grains) in the Bhojanakutūhala (dravyaguṇāguṇa-kathana).—Tṛṇadhānya-prakaraṇa discusses the varieties and properties of grassy grains [...]. The properties of viz., bhṛṣṭa-dhānya (fried grains) [such as saktu, ...] are explained.
Regarding “forbidden combinations” (saṃyogaviruddha), the text says that saktu is harmful when combined with with meat and milk.
The balls prepared from saktu is classified as a ‘heavy foodstuff’ as opposed to original saktu.—Heavy food should [viz., balls prepared from saktu] to be eaten only until one is half satisfied. Light food [viz., to original saktu] can be eaten until the full satisfaction is obtained. A man whose digestive fire is weak, should abandon heavy food.
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha ChikitsaSaktu (सक्तु) refers to “barly” (suitable for offerings) used in the treatment of (serpent) venom, as described in the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—The decoded mantras are for those aspirants who may use it under the guidance of an able / qualified preceptor after due procedures of initiation or dīkṣā. Regarding the Gulika-viṣaharaṇa-mantra (VII. 25-7 ab) it says: “[...] The sarpamantra must be chanted for three ayuta times from the aṣṭamī or eighth day of the bright fortnight, with offerings of rice-flour mixed with jaggery and coconut water and barly (saktu). This eliminates the poison of Seṣa clan of serpents. The mantra must be chanted with devotion like one’s own name with the prescribed nyāsas. Thus, an intelligent aspirant can effortlessly cure venoms”.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botanySaktu (सक्तु) refers to “ground meal”. It is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā and the Suśruta-saṃhitā.
Source: archive.org: Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita (first 5 chapters)Saktu (सक्तु) refers to “groats”, as mentioned in verse 3.28 of the Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna) by Vāgbhaṭa.—Accordingly, “[...] One shall turn only to sweet, light, fat, cold, (and) liquid food. Having besprinkled one’s limbs with very cold water, one shall sip sugared groats [viz., saktu]. [...]”.
Note: Saktu (“groats”) is prepared as a rule from barley-meal; hence its translation into Tibetan by phye-zan, which properly signifies “barley-meal porridge”.
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of termsSaktu (सक्तु):—Is a dietic preparation. Prepared by frying and powdering husked grains like barley, wheat, rice, parched rice etc.
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)
Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary studySaktu (सक्तु) refers to “ground and parched grains”, forming part of a common diet in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) as mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—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”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexSaktu (सक्तु).—The flour of grain not to be taken during nights.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 131. 43.
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Isvara Samhita Vol 5Saktu (सक्तु) refers to “flour”, used in oblation offerings, according to verse 25.151 of the 8th-century Īśvarasaṃhitā. Accordingly, “roasted patties of śāli, mixed up with jīraka and others, shaken in baked jaggery and rolled into mass, all to be kept separated (from each other)”.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on AgricultureSaktu (सक्तु) refers to “barley-meal” (suitable for an offering ritual), according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, [As the Bhagavān said]: “Now I shall teach the offering manual which is auspicious and can bring about any effect. [...] Seven coiling figures should be made and rice spirals. Twenty-one figures should be prepared one after the other. Boiled rice, milk rice, a dish of rice and peas, yoghurt and thickened milk should be placed. Fruits and flowers should be placed. Four jars should be placed. Preceded by a great offering barley-meal (saktu) should be placed as foremost. [...]”.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)Shaktu in India is the name of a plant defined with Hordeum vulgare in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Zeocriton distichum P. Beauv. (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Synopseos Plantarum (Persoon) (1805)
· Species Plantarum (1753)
· Essai d’une Nouvelle Agrostographie
· A Botanical Materia Medica (1812)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Shaktu, for example side effects, extract dosage, chemical composition, health benefits, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, 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
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarysaktu (सक्तु).—m S Barley. 2 Used sometimes in the sense of its derivatives sattū, sātū, satavā.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishsaktu (सक्तु).—m Barley.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryŚaktu (शक्तु).—m., n. The flour or meal of barley, barleymeal; see सक्तु (saktu).
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Saktu (सक्तु).—m. pl. [sañj-tun kicca] The flour of barley first fried and then ground, barley-meal; भिक्षासक्तुभिरेव संप्रति वयं वृत्तिं समीहामहे (bhikṣāsaktubhireva saṃprati vayaṃ vṛttiṃ samīhāmahe) Bhartṛhari 3.64.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚaktu (शक्तु).—mn. (-ktuḥ-ktu) According to some authorities only. m. plu. (śaktavaḥ) The powder or flour of barley and other grain, first fried and then ground. E. śac to go, &c., tun aff.; also read saktu .
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Saktu (सक्तु).—m. Plu.
(-ktuḥ) The flour fried and then ground. E. ṣac to moisten, Unadi aff. tun; also read śaktu.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚaktu (शक्तु).—and saktu saktu, m. and n., according to some authorities only m. pl. ([Pañcatantra] 252, 10, with s), The flour of barley and other grain first fried and then ground, [Hitopadeśa] 114, 22 (ś).
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Saktu (सक्तु).—see śaktu.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionarySaktu (सक्तु).—[masculine] coarsely ground parched grains, grits, [especially] of barley.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Śaktu (शक्तु):—śaktuka, incorrect for saktu, saktuka, q.v.
2) Saktu (सक्तु):—[from saj] m. (or n. [gana] ardharcādi; also written śaktu) coarsely ground meal, grit, groats ([especially] of barley-meal), [Ṛg-veda]; etc.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Śaktu (शक्तु):—[(ktuḥ-ktu)] 2. m. n. Powder or flour of grain fried and ground.
2) Saktu (सक्तु):—(ktuḥ) 2. m. Rice or corn fried and then ground.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Saktu (सक्तु) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Sattu, Sattua.
[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 dictionarySaktu (सक्तु):—[[~ka]] (nm) a meal of parched and powdered grain.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusSaktu (ಸಕ್ತು):—[noun] the floor of barley grain.
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: Saktudhani, Saktughatakhyayika, Saktuhoma, Saktuka, Saktukapindika, Saktukara, Saktukaraka, Saktula, Saktumishra, Saktupadma, Saktuphala, Saktuphale, Saktuphali, Saktupishta, Saktuprasthiya, Saktusaindhava, Saktushri, Saktusindhu, Shaktusharava.
Ends with: Badarasaktu, Canakayavasaktu, Dadhisaktu, Gavedhukasaktu, Karkandhusaktu, Kuvalasaktu, Nirdhutasaktu, Shalisaktu, Susaktu, Udakasaktu, Udasaktu, Yavasaktu.
Full-text (+42): Dadhisaktu, Saktuka, Saktuphala, Sattu, Saktula, Saktuphali, Saktuprasthiya, Saktava, Udakasaktu, Saktavya, Saktushri, Saktuhoma, Saktusindhu, Saktumishra, Saktukara, Saktudhani, Saktukaraka, Saktughatakhyayika, Saktupishta, Satuva.
Relevant text
Search found 27 books and stories containing Saktu, Shaktu, Śaktu; (plurals include: Saktus, Shaktus, Śaktus). 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)
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 3: Metals, Gems and other substances (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 1 - Tuber poison (1): Saktuka < [Chapter XXX - Visha (poisons)]
Part 16 - Tuber Poison (16): Haridra or mirata < [Chapter XXX - Visha (poisons)]
The Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter CXXI - The Caturmasyam Vratam < [Brihaspati (Nitisara) Samhita]
Chapter CXCII - Medicinal recipes of inffalible effcacies < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari (by K. A. Subramania Iyer)
Verse 3.1.50 < [Book 3 - Pada-kāṇḍa (1): Jāti-samuddeśa (On the Universal)]
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 3.266 < [Section XXI - Relative Merits of the Offering-Materials]
Verse 11.143 < [Section XVI - Expiation for cutting Trees and other Offences]
Verse 4.253 < [Section XIX - Accepting of Gifts]
The Markandeya Purana (Study) (by Chandamita Bhattacharya)
Proper Food for Yogins < [Chapter 2]