Shimshapa, Śiṃśapa, Śiṃśapā: 23 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
In Jainism
1. Jain philosophy
2. General definition
India history
Biology
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
See also
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Introduction:

Shimshapa means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, 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 terms Śiṃśapa and Śiṃśapā can be transliterated into English as Simsapa or Shimshapa, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: archive.org: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)

One of the Hands indicating Trees.—Śimśapa, the Ardha-candra hands crossed.

context information

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).

Ayurveda (science of life)

Agriculture (Krishi) and Vrikshayurveda (study of Plant life)

Source: Shodhganga: Drumavichitrikarnam—Plant mutagenesis in ancient India

Śiṃśapā (शिंशपा) (identified with Dalbergia sissoo) is used in various bio-organical recipes for plant mutagenesis such as changing plants into creepers, according to the Vṛkṣāyurveda by Sūrapāla (1000 CE): an encyclopedic work dealing with the study of trees and the principles of ancient Indian agriculture.—Accordingly, “A seed of the Limonia acidissima should be cultured hundred times with milk boiled along with the roots of Emblica officinalis, Acorus calamus, Terminalia chebula, Aspota (?), Aśmapānā (?), Calamus rotang, Dalbergia sissoo [e.g., Śiṃśapā], Leptadenia reticulata, Hiptage benghalensis and Butea superba for over a month and then should be sown in a pit keeping in water mixed with clarified butter, and flesh of the boar. Thereafter, the pit should be filled with good quality soil measuring four fingers in thickness and then it should be watered with the decoction of Hordeum vulgare, Vigna mungo, Sesamum indicum, honey, fish and flesh. The seed then grows into a creeper without fail”.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

Śiṃśapā (शिंशपा) is a Sanskrit word referring to the “rosewood tree”, an evergreen rosewood tree from the Fabaceae (bean) family of flowering plants. In the Prakrit language, it is also known as Sīsavā or Sīsama. It is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā and the Suśruta-saṃhitā. The official botanical name is Dalbergia sissoo but is commonly referred to in English as “Sissoo” or “Indian redwood”. It is a deciduous timber-tree and grows up to 30m in height, has light yellow flowers and grows in lower Himalayas up to 1500 elevation. It is planted in North India and Bangladesh.

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.

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-śāstra

Śiṃśapā (शिंशपा) is a Sanskrit word, identified with Dalbergia sissoo (North Indian rosewood) by various scholars in their translation of the Śukranīti. This tree is mentioned as bearing good fruits. The King should plant such domestic plants in and near villages. He should nourish them by stoole of goats, sheep and cows, water as well as meat.

The following is an ancient Indian recipe for such nourishment of trees:

According to Śukranīti 4.4.105-109: “The trees (such as śiṃśapā) are to be watered in the morning and evening in summer, every alternate day in winter, in the fifth part of the day (i.e., afternoon) in spring, never in the rainy season. If trees have their fruits destroyed, the pouring of cold water after being cooked together with Kulutha, Māṣa (seeds), Mudga (pulse), Yava (barley) and Tila (oil seed) would lead to the growth of flowers and fruits. Growth of trees can be helped by the application of water with which fishes are washed and cleansed.”

context information

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

Śiṃśapa (शिंशप) is the name of a tree found in maṇidvīpa (Śakti’s abode), according to the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa 12.10. Accordingly, these trees always bear flowers, fruits and new leaves, and the sweet fragrance of their scent is spread across all the quarters in this place. The trees (e.g. Śiṃśapa) attract bees and birds of various species and rivers are seen flowing through their forests carrying many juicy liquids. Maṇidvīpa is defined as the home of Devī, built according to her will. It is compared with Sarvaloka, as it is superior to all other lokas.

The Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa, or Śrīmad-devī-bhāgavatam, is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, a type of Sanskrit literature containing cultural information on ancient India, religious/spiritual prescriptions and a range of topics concerning the various arts and sciences. The whole text is composed of 18,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 6th century.

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Śiṃśapa (शिंशप) refers to one of the thirty-six sacred trees, according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “According to the Kula teaching (these) [i.e., Śiṃśapa] are the most excellent Kula trees that give accomplishments and liberation. (They are full of) Yoginīs, Siddhas, Lords of the Heroes and hosts of gods and demons. One should not touch them with one’s feet or urinate and defecate on them or have sex etc. below them. One should not cut etc. or burn them. Having worshipped and praised them regularly with their own flowers and shoots, one should always worship the Śrīkrama with devotion with their best fruits and roots. [...]”.

Source: Addaiyan Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Tantra Literature of Kerala- Special Reference to Mātṛsadbhāva

Śiṃśapā (शिंशपा) refers to the Aśoka and represents one of the trees used for making Bimbas or Pratimās, according to the Mātṛsadbhāva, one of the earliest Śākta Tantras from Kerala.—Mātṛsadbhāva is a Kerala Tantric ritual manual dealing with the worship of Goddess Bhadrakālī (also known as Rurujit) along with sapta-mātṛs or Seven mothers. [...] There are many descriptions about the flora and fauna in Mātṛssadbhāva. [...] In the fourth chapter the author discussed about different types of trees [e.g., aśoka] can be used to make pratimā or bimba.

context information

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.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)

Śiṃśapa (शिंशप) is classified as a “tree beneficial for the construction of temples”, according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—The eco-friendly suggestions of Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa are seen to protect the greenery and to balance a pollution free environment. [...] The architect is suggested to go to the forest to collect appropriate wood (e.g., from the Śiṃśapa tree) for temples in an auspicious day after taking advice from an astrologer. [...] According to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, the woods of some particular trees remain beneficial for the construction of temples. At the time of cutting the trees [e.g., Śiṃśapa] one should clean the axe by smearing honey and ghee. After collecting the suitable wood from forest, the architect uses it according to his requirements and purposes.

context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Hinduism

Śiṃśapā (शिंशपा)—Sanskrit word for the plant “sīsū tree” (Dalbergia sissoo).

Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and Subjects

Śiṃśapā (शिंशपा) is the name of a tree (Dalbergia Sisu) in the Rigveda and later. It is a stately and beautiful tree.

In Jainism

Jain philosophy

Source: archive.org: Anekanta Jaya Pataka of Haribhadra Suri

Siṃśapā (सिंशपा) is the name of a tree also known as Śiśu, as occurring in the Anekāntajayapatākā-prakaraṇa, a Śvetāmbara Jain philosophical work written by Haribhadra Sūri.—[Cf. Vol. I, P. 209, l. 11]—‘Siṃśapa’ is the name of a tree also called ‘śiśu’. It means the Aśoka tree, as well. This word occurs on p 365, l. 11 p 372, ll. 6, 9, 10, 16, 21-23 & 29, p 373, ll. 4 5, 9, 14, 17, 19, 21-23 and in Rāmāyaṇa (Sundarakāṇḍa) Its Pāiya (Prakrit) equivalent ‘sīṃsavā’ occurs in Paṇhavagaraṇa (p 31). The ‘Deśya’ word for it is ‘sīsama’. It is noted in the commentary on Uvaesapaya ( v 1031). For its use see p 372,1, 29

context information

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Economic Life In Ancient India (as depicted in Jain canonical literature)

Śiṃśapā (शिंशपा) refers to a kind of tree (vṛkṣa) commonly found in the forests (vaṇa) of ancient India, mentioned in the Jñātādharmakathāṅga-sūtra. Forests have been a significant part of the Indian economy since ancient days. They have been considered essential for economic development in as much as, besides bestowing many geographical advantages, they provide basic materials for building, furniture and various industries. The most important forest products are wood and timber which have been used by the mankind to fulfil his various needs—domestic, agricultural and industrial.

Different kinds of trees (e.g., the Śiṃśapā tree) provided firewood and timber. The latter was used for furniture, building materials, enclosures, staircases, pillars, agricultural purposes, e. g. for making ploughs, transportation e. g. for making carts, chariots, boats, ships, and for various industrial needs. Vaṇa-kamma was an occupation dealing in wood and in various otherforest products. Iṅgāla-kamma was another occupation which was concerned with preparing charcoal from firewood.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

India history and geography

Source: Shodhganga: Cultural history as g leaned from kathasaritsagara

Shimshapa or Ashoka is the name of a tree mentioned in the Kathasaritsagara by Somadeva (10th century A.D).—This was grown throughout Northern-India. An Ashoka tree on the bank of Godavari is also mentioned. Its another variety called as Lohitashoka or Raktashoka is mentioned.

Somadeva mentions many rich forests, gardens, various trees (e.g., Shimshapa), creepers medicinal and flowering plants and fruit-bearing trees in the Kathasaritsagara. Travel through the thick, high, impregnable and extensive Vindhya forest is a typical feature of many travel-stories. Somadeva’s writing more or less reflects the life of the people of Northern India during the 11th century. His Kathasaritsagara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Shimshapa, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravahanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyadharas (celestial beings).

context information

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

Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

1) Simsapa in India is the name of a plant defined with Dalbergia latifolia in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Amerimnon latifolium (Roxb.) Kuntze, nom. illeg. (among others).

2) Simsapa is also identified with Dalbergia sissoo It has the synonym Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., nom. illeg. (etc.).

3) Simsapa is also identified with Xylia xylocarpa It has the synonym Acacia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Willd. (etc.).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden (1981)
· Botanisches Centralblatt (1891)
· The Civil and Natural History of Jamaica (1756)
· Journal of Botany (1842)
· Hortus Bengalensis, or ‘a Catalogue of the Plants Growing in the Hounourable East India Company's Botanical Garden at Calcutta’ (1814)
· Fl. China (2010)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Simsapa, for example health benefits, chemical composition, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, extract dosage, side effects, have a look at these references.

context information

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 Dictionary

śiṃśapā (शिंशपा).—f S A tree, Dalbergia Sisu.

context information

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 dictionary

Śiṃśapā (शिंशपा).—

1) Name of a tree (śiśu); शिंशपा कटुवा तिक्ता कषाया शोषकारिणी । उष्णवीर्या हरेन्मेदः कुष्ठचित्रवमिकृमीन् (śiṃśapā kaṭuvā tiktā kaṣāyā śoṣakāriṇī | uṣṇavīryā harenmedaḥ kuṣṭhacitravamikṛmīn) Bhāva P.

2) The Aśoka tree; (dadarśa) क्षामां स्वविरहव्याधिं शिंशपामूल- मास्थिताम् (kṣāmāṃ svavirahavyādhiṃ śiṃśapāmūla- māsthitām).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Śiṃśapā (शिंशपा).—f.

(-pā) 1. A tree, (Dalbergia Sisu.) 2. The Asoka tree. E. śīghra quick, or śīrṣa the head or top; pā to cherish, or pat to fall, &c., aff. ka or ḍa, deriv. irr.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Śiṃśapā (शिंशपा).—(śiṃśipā śiṃśipā, [Lassen, Anthologia Sanskritica.] 4, 10; 14; 5, 6), f. Two trees, Dalbergia Siśu and the Aśoka tree, [Pañcatantra] 249, 24.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Śiṃśapa (शिंशप).—[masculine] śiṃśapā [feminine] a cert. tree.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Śiṃśapā (शिंशपा):—f. (rarely and mc. śiṃśapa, m.) the tree Dalbergia Sissoo, [Atharva-veda] etc. etc.

2) the Aśoka tree, [Horace H. Wilson]

3) Siṃsapā (सिंसपा):—See śiṃśapā, p. 1069, col. 3.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Śiṃśapā (शिंशपा):—(pā) 1. f. Name of a tree.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Śiṃśapā (शिंशपा) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Sīsavā.

[Sanskrit to German]

Shimshapa in German

context information

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.

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