Shirodhara, Śirodhāra, Shiras-dhara: 12 definitions
Introduction:
Shirodhara means something in 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 Śirodhāra can be transliterated into English as Sirodhara or Shirodhara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Shirodhara is a unique, blissful therapy that balances and stabilizes the mind. To receive shirodhara, the client lies down upon a massage table with their eyes covered. Next, specially prepared warm herbal oil is poured in a thin steady stream directly onto the forehead and sixth chakra. Shirodhara purifies the mind, alleviates anxiety, reduces headaches, and expands awareness. Shirodhara can be administered on its own or as part of a panchakarma detoxification regime.
Śirodhara (शिरोधर):—[śirodharaḥ] Neck
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)
Śirodharā (शिरोधरा) refers to the “neck”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.15 (“The penance and reign of Tārakāsura”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated: “[...] At the same time, several phenomena of evil portent forboding misery and distress happened, when the son of Varāṅgī was born making the gods miserable. [...] Within villages, inauspicious vixens howled hideously vomitting fires; as it were, through their mouths along with the hissing and twanging sounds of the hootings and howlings of owls and jackals. Lifting up their necks [i.e., śirodharā], the dogs barked in diverse ways producing sounds of singing or lamenting here and there. [...]”.
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)
शिरो (Śiro) means "Head" and धार (Dhāra) means "Stream". शिरो धार (Śiro Dhāra) is the application of warm medicated oil to the forehead over the आज्ञा चक्र (Ājñā Cakra). In शिरो धार (Śiro Dhāra), a stream of warm oil pours continuously through the spout of a bowl that is suspended above one's head. शिरो धार (Śiro Dhāra) is a relaxing treatment for matters of the mind, such as chronic headaches, insomnia, anxiety and nervousness.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Śirodharā (शिरोधरा).—f.
(-rā) The neck. E. śiras the head, and dhara what upholds.
Śirodharā (शिरोधरा).—i. e. śiras-dhṛ + a, f. The neck, [Daśakumāracarita] in
Śirodhara (शिरोधर).—[masculine] ā [feminine] the neck (head-bearer).
1) Śirodhara (शिरोधर):—[=śiro-dhara] [from śiro > śiras] m. ([Rāmāyaṇa; Bhāgavata-purāṇa]) ([Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Kāvya literature etc.]; ifc. f(ā). ) ‘h°-supporting’, the neck.
2) Śirodharā (शिरोधरा):—[=śiro-dharā] [from śiro > śiras] f. ([Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Kāvya literature etc.]; ifc. f(ā). ) ‘h°-supporting’, the neck.
Śirodharā (शिरोधरा):—[śiro-dharā] (rā) 1. f. The neck.
Śirodhara (शिरोधर):—n. Nacken, Hals (Kopfträger): prasārya ca dharam (wohl dharām zu lesen) [Rāmāyaṇa 3, 73, 23.] [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 3, 13, 36. 8, 11, 32. 9, 5, 8.] gewöhnlich dharā f. [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 586.] [Mahābhārata 1, 6292. 3, 11517. 16190.] [Harivaṃśa 3091. 4787.] [Rāmāyaṇa 2, 23, 4.] [CARAKA 3, 8.] [Śiśupālavadha 4, 52.] [Kathāsaritsāgara 41, 44.] [Mārkāṇḍeyapurāṇa 84, 1] (fälschlich śiro dharā gedruckt). [?S. 657, Śloka 31. Bhāgavatapurāṇa 3, 17, 10. 4, 11, 5. 5, 12, 5.] am Ende eines adj. comp. (f. ā) [Mahābhārata 7, 731.] [Harivaṃśa 13995.] [Rāmāyaṇa 3, 31, 48. 55, 2. 5, 17, 25. 42, 20.] [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka 17, 9.] [Mārkāṇḍeyapurāṇa 29, 7. 89, 35.] [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 3, 31, 8. 5, 1, 20.]
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Śirōdhara (ಶಿರೋಧರ):—[noun] the neck, the holder of the head.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Śirodhāra (शिरोधार):—n. placing on one's head in respect; bow;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Shiras, Dhara, Tara.
Starts with: Shirodharaniya.
Full-text: Ushtrashirodhara, Stabdhakarnashirodhara, Adhishirodharam, Mahashirodhara, Cirotaram, Mahakayashirodhara, Shirodhare, Shirodhar, Shirodhi, Shirahpitha, Godhumapishta, Shishumarashiras, Kandhara, Upasad.
Relevant text
Search found 17 books and stories containing Shirodhara, Shiras-dhara, Shiro-dhara, Śiras-dhāra, Śiras-dharā, Siras-dhara, Śiro-dhara, Siro-dhara, Śiro-dhāra, Śiro-dharā, Sirodhara, Śirodharā, Śirodhara, Śirodhāra, Śirōdhara; (plurals include: Shirodharas, dharas, dhāras, dharās, Sirodharas, Śirodharās, Śirodharas, Śirodhāras, Śirōdharas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
A conceptual study of shirodhara in the management of shirahshoola < [Volume 4, issue 1: January - February 2017]
Management of drug abuse patient through ayurveda < [Volume 6, Issue 1: January - February 2019]
Why More Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders in Women in Present Scenario < [Volume 10, Issue 5: September-October 2023]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
Conceptual study of Shiro Dhara Procedure - A Review Article < [Vol. 9 No. 11 (2024)]
The Management of Primary Insomnia through Pancha Sugandha Sadhita Takra... < [Vol. 2 No. 01 (2017)]
A Comparative clinical evaluation of Sirodhara with Sukhosnajala, Tila Tailam... < [Vol. 3 No. 03 (2018)]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
Ayurvedic management of alcohol use disorder – a case report < [2022, Issue 12 December]
A comparative clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of shirodhara and shirobasti with ksheerabala taila in anidra w.s.r to insomnia < [2019, Issue 10, October]
A systematic review on essential hypertension~ vyanabala vaishamyam and its ayurvedic management < [2022, Issue 09 September]
International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
Keraliya Cikitsa Paddhati - A Complete Guide to Specialized Keralan Ayurveda... < [Vol. 6 No. 12: Dec (2023)]
Ayurveda Management of Schizophrenia – A Case Report < [Vol. 5 No. 3: March (2022)]
Review on Clinical Perspective of Multiple Substance use Disorder and its... < [Vol. 7 No. 2: Feb (2024)]
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Shodhana and shamana effects in ekakushtha (psoriasis): a case study. < [2018: Volume 7, March issue 5]
Shirodhara's impact on managing essential hypertension: A review. < [2020: Volume 9, September special issue 11]
Care and cure of geriatric diseases in shalakya tantra < [2023: Volume 12, June issue 9]
Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine
Clinical evaluation of jatamansi siddha taila shirodhara on anxiety-neurosis < [Volume 4, issue 2 (2016)]
Ayurvedic managment of Kampavata- Case Report < [Volume 12, issue 6 (2024)]
Case report on Corneal ulcer management – An Emergency approach in Ayurveda < [Volume 11, issue 11 (2023)]
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