Shlakshna, Ślakṣṇa: 20 definitions
Introduction:
Shlakshna means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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 Ślakṣṇa can be transliterated into English as Slaksna or Shlakshna, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण) refers to “tender elephants”, according to the 15th century Mātaṅgalīlā composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 5, “on marks of the stages of life”]: “2. Tender (ślakṣṇa), copper-colored, with soft down on his fore-limbs, drowsy, marked by a blotchy trunk, having limbs undeveloped in form, seeking the breast, in the first year he has the name of bāla (‘infant’)”.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण, “smooth”).—One of the twenty Gurvādiguṇa, or, ‘ten opposing pairs of qualities of drugs’.—Ślakṣṇa is the characteristic of a drug referring to the ‘smoothness’, while its opposing quality, Khara, refers to its ‘roughness’. It is a Sanskrit technical term from Āyurveda (Indian medicine) and used in literature such the Caraka-saṃhitā and the Suśruta-saṃhitā.
The quality of Ślakṣṇa, present in drugs and herbs, increases the Pitta (bodily humour in control of digestion and metabolism). It exhibits a predominant presence of the elements Fire (agni).
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण) refers to “slimy” and is mentioned in verse 1.12 of the Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna) by Vāgbhaṭa.—Ślakṣṇa and Mṛtsna are hardly separable from each other without difficulty. In PO xxiv p. 35, we had understood them to mean “slimy” (~picchila) and “soft” (~mṛdu), tacitly equating ślakṣṇa with ’byar-bag-can “a trifle sticky” and mṛtsna with ’jam “soft” (which, in itself, is quite possible). On second thought, however, it seems more likely that ślakṣṇa corresponds to ’jam and mṛtsna to ’byar-bag-can, particularly since Aruṇadatta and Candranandana (whose commentaries we had not at our disposal when writing the above article) explain ślakṣṇa with aparuṣa “not rough” and mṛtsna with “mṛdyamāno ’ṅguligrāhī picchilaguṇayayuktaś cakacakāyamānaḥ”—[v. 1. kacakacāyamānaḥ] “sticking to the fingers when squeezed, endowed with a slimy quality, glimmering”.
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण):—Smoothness; one of the 20 gurvadi gunas. caused due activated agni; denotes physiological & pharmacological smoothness; helps in healing. An attribute of Kapha.
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण, “smooth”) and Khara (“rough”) refers to one of the ten counterpart-couples of the twenty Śārīraguṇa (or Gurvādiguṇa), which refers to the “twenty qualities of the body”—where guṇa (property) represents one of the six divisions of dravya (drugs).—Śārīraka-guṇas are twenty in number. There are ten guṇas with their opposite guṇas. [...] Ślakṣṇa (“smooth”) has the predominant bhūta (element) of earth, water and the associated actions of “healing/ropaṇa”; while Khara (“rough”) has the predominant bhūta (element) of air and is associated with the action “scraping/lekhana”.
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.
Gitashastra (science of music)
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण, “smooth”) refers to one of the ten good qualities (guṇa) of a song (gīta), according to the Saṅgītaśiromaṇi 14.75-76, where they are commonly known as the gītaguṇa. The Saṅgītaśiromaṇi (“crest-jewel of music”) is a 15th-century Sanskrit work on Indian musicology (gāndharvaśāstra). Accordingly, “smooth (ślakṣṇa) means that the melodic lines (varṇa) can be clearly heard in the lower as well as in the higher parts”.
Gitashastra (गीतशास्त्र, gītaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of Music (gita or samgita), which is traditionally divided in Vocal music, Instrumental music and Dance (under the jurisdiction of music). The different elements and technical terms are explained in a wide range of (often Sanskrit) literature.
Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण) refers to a “fine (powder)” (of certain roots), according to the Śyainika-śāstra: a Sanskrit treatise dealing with the divisions and benefits of Hunting and Hawking, written by Rājā Rudradeva (or Candradeva) in possibly the 13th century.—Accordingly, [while discussing the treatment of hawks]: “If a white spot forms on the eyes owing to heat, smoke or some kind of hurt, then the eyes are to be filled with the fine (ślakṣṇa) powder of the root of Oxalis monadelpha. A hawk gets rid of this disease in eighteen days. [...]”.
This section covers the skills and profiencies of the Kalas (“performing arts”) and Shastras (“sciences”) involving ancient Indian traditions of sports, games, arts, entertainment, love-making and other means of wordly enjoyments. Traditionally these topics were dealt with in Sanskrit treatises explaing the philosophy and the justification of enjoying the pleasures of the senses.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण) refers to “gentle (words)”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[Digression on a case brought against the Buddha; B. The defense].—[4. Insults to the Disciples].—[...] There are beings who are not introduced into the path by gentle words (ślakṣṇa-vāc) or by friendly instructions. They need strong words and heavy instructions for them to enter into the Dharma. They are like a good horse (aśva) who starts up when he sees the shadow of the whip (kaśācchāyā) or the stupid donkey (gardabha) who starts walking only when he receives a blow. There are wounds that are cured only by a gentle herb (mṛḍvoṣadhi), by saliva (kheṭa) or a magic spell (mantra): there are wounds that are cured only when the sick flesh is cut out with a knife and a strong medicine applied to it. [...]”.
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण) refers to a “smooth (square space)” (suitable for performing offering ceremonies), 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 taught the detailed offering-manual], “[...] One should prepare a square [space] measuring a hasta, very smooth (su-ślakṣṇa) and well smeared. It should be sprinkled with perfumed water all around. Four Nāga kings should be prepared in the middle of the ditch. Full of brownish cow dung and clay a nine-headed [Nāga king should be prepared] with a hood and a coiled body. [...]”.
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)
Shlakshna in India is the name of a plant defined with Strychnos potatorum in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Strychnos heterodoxa Gilg (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzenge schichte und Pflanzengeographie (1893)
· Flore de Madagascar et des Comores (1984)
· E-Journal of Chemistry (2007)
· Supplementum Plantarum (1781)
· Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie (1899)
· Genera Plantarum (1873)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Shlakshna, for example health benefits, chemical composition, pregnancy safety, diet and recipes, extract dosage, side effects, 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
Sanskrit dictionary
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण).—a. [śliṣ-ksna ni° Uṇādi-sūtra 3.19]
1) Soft, gentle, mild, bland (as words &c.); उवाच वचनं श्लक्ष्णं भूतभावनम- व्ययम् (uvāca vacanaṃ ślakṣṇaṃ bhūtabhāvanama- vyayam) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 1.7.19.
2) Smooth, polished; यस्यामति- श्लक्ष्णतया गृहेषु विधातुमालेख्यमशक्नुवन्तः (yasyāmati- ślakṣṇatayā gṛheṣu vidhātumālekhyamaśaknuvantaḥ) Śiśupālavadha 3.46; शाल्मली- फलके श्लक्ष्णे नेनिज्यान्नेजकः शनैः (śālmalī- phalake ślakṣṇe nenijyānnejakaḥ śanaiḥ) Manusmṛti 8.396.
3) Small, fine, thin, delicate; श्लक्ष्णं यत् परिहितमेतयोः किलान्तर्धानार्थं तदुदकसेकसक्तमूर्वोः (ślakṣṇaṃ yat parihitametayoḥ kilāntardhānārthaṃ tadudakasekasaktamūrvoḥ) Śiśupālavadha 8.65.
4) Beautiful, charming.
5) Candid, honest, frank.
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण).—m., name of a mountain: Divyāvadāna 103.2; 107.1—3; 113.5.
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Ślakṣṇā (श्लक्ष्णा).—name of a river: Divyāvadāna 107.4, 6.
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण).—mfn.
(-kṣṇaḥ-kṣṇā-kṣṇaṃ) 1. Small, fine, minute. 2. Gentle, mild, amiable. 3. Honest, sincere. 4. Plain, even, smooth. E. śliṣ to embrace, ksna aff., the short vowel substituted for the penultimate.
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण).—adj. 1. Small, slender, thin, [Lassen, Anthologia Sanskritica.] 2. ed. 60, 19. 2. Smooth, even, soft, [Nala] 5, 5; [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 8, 396; polished, [Rāmāyaṇa] 1, 13, 32, Seramp. 3. Mild, amiable, [Nala] 8, 12. 4. Honest.
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण).—[adjective] slippery, smooth, even, soft, tender.
1) Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण):—mf(ā)n. (in, [Uṇādi-sūtra iii, 19] said to be [from] √śliṣ) slippery, smooth, polished, even, soft, tender, gentle, bland, [Atharva-veda] etc. etc.
2) small, minute, thin, slim, fine (cf. [compound]), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) honest, sincere, [Horace H. Wilson]
4) m. Name of a mountain, [Divyāvadāna]
5) Ślakṣṇā (श्लक्ष्णा):—[from ślakṣṇa] f. Name of a river, [ib.]
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण):—[(kṣṇaḥ-kṣṇā-kṣṇaṃ) a.] Small, fine, minute; smooth; gentle, honest.
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण):—[Uṇādisūtra 3, 19.] adj. (f. ā) schlüpfrig, glatt, weich, zart (Gegens. khara, karkaśa) [Amarakoṣa 3, 2, 11.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 1427.] [Halāyudha 4, 3.] [Mahābhārata 12, 6854. 14, 1416.] [Atharvavedasaṃhitā 20, 133, 5. 6.] [The Śatapathabrāhmaṇa 4, 1, 5, 19. 9, 1, 2, 40.] [Kātyāyana’s Śrautasūtrāṇi 16, 3, 38.] ati (Gegens. atilomaśa) [Taittirīyabrāhmaṇa 3, 4, 1, 19.] — [Suśruta 1, 24, 4. 30, 11.] śilā [28, 1.] [Rāmāyaṇa 2, 96, 6.] [Kathāsaritsāgara 72, 184] (su). stambha [37, 8. 9] (su). kṣāra [Suśruta 1, 33, 12.] śaro dvividhaḥ karṇī ślakṣṇaśca [96, 14.] māṃsa [2, 350, 14.] vraṇa [3, 12.] piṣṭa [73, 21.] śālmalīphalaka [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 8, 396.] dhanus [Mahābhārata 1, 8181.] rūpasamanvitāḥ (yūpāḥ) [Rāmāyaṇa 1, 13, 28.] tīkṣṇāgra (śūka) [Amarakoṣa 2, 9, 23.] [GOLĀDHY.] [GOLAB.] 1. snigdhaślakṣṇatanutvagromāṇaḥ [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 61, 11.] jihvā raktā dīrghā ślakṣṇā susamā ca bhogināṃ jñeyā [68, 53.] vaktra [54.] snigdhāpāṅgena cakṣuṣā [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 3, 23, 33.] mekhalā [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 2, 42.] vāsas [Rāmāyaṇa Gorresio 1, 9, 16.] [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 3, 3, 396.] patākā [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 24, 9.] candanakalka [Rāmāyaṇa Gorresio 2, 100, 69.] vāc, vacana, vākya, gir, vāṇī, śabda u.s.w. [Chāndogyopaniṣad 2, 22, 1.] [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 2, 159.] [Mahābhārata 3, 2283. 2395. 2771. 4, 958. 13, 6644.] [Rāmāyaṇa 1, 30, 14. 2, 31, 18. 85, 8. 91, 27. 96, 7] (tara). [Rāmāyaṇa Gorresio 1, 11, 10. 71, 17. 2, 21, 1. 3, 20, 2. 5, 64, 13.] [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 1, 6, 21. 3, 21, 49.] [PAÑCAR. 1, 13, 7.] sāman [Rāmāyaṇa 2, 24, 34.] vādin [Rāmāyaṇa Gorresio 2, 6, 24.] aniṣṭhuraślakṣṇapada [Bharata] [NĀṬYAŚ. 18, 125.] [Kathāsaritsāgara 72, 79.] vikāra [DAŚAR. 2, 11.] von Personen (= madhuravāc [Halāyudha 2, 210]) [Mahābhārata 12, 3479.] [Spr. (II) 309. 791.] [Rāmāyaṇa 2, 23, 9.] in comp. mit einem im instr. gedachten Worte [Pāṇini’s acht Bücher 2, 1, 31.] ācāra Schol. ākāravarṇasuślakṣṇāḥ (bāhavaḥ) [Mahābhārata 3, 2196.] ślakṣṇam adv.: bhayaviklavayā vācā mandayā ślakṣṇamabravīt (ślakṣṇayābravīt ed. Bomb.) [Rāmāyaṇa 2, 34, 5. 4, 7, 15.] su [Mahābhārata 7, 1363.]
Ślakṣṇa (श्लक्ष्ण) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Laṇha, Saṇha.
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
Ślakṣṇa (ಶ್ಲಕ್ಷ್ಣ):—
1) [adjective] thin; subtle; tenuous.
2) [adjective] soft; gentle.
3) [adjective] smooth or fine to the touch; not rough, harsh or coarse.
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Ślakṣṇa (ಶ್ಲಕ್ಷ್ಣ):—
1) [noun] that which is thin, subtle or tenuous.
2) [noun] a man of gentle speech.
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 (+1): Shlakshnabharika, Shlakshnabhru, Shlakshnajira, Shlakshnaka, Shlakshnakesha, Shlakshnam, Shlakshnana, Shlakshnapatraka, Shlakshnapattraka, Shlakshnapishta, Shlakshnarupasamanvita, Shlakshnashila, Shlakshnata, Shlakshnatara, Shlakshnatikshnagra, Shlakshnatva, Shlakshnatvac, Shlakshnavac, Shlakshnavadin, Shlakshnay.
Full-text (+47): Sushlakshna, Mahashlakshna, Shlakshnatvac, Shlakshnata, Yathashlakshna, Shlakshnavac, Shlakshnapishta, Atishlakshna, Shlakshnam, Sushlakshnam, Shlakshnavadin, Shlakshnashila, Shlakshnika, Shlakshnatara, Shlakshnapattraka, Shlakshnatikshnagra, Shlakshnapatraka, Shlakshnaka, Shlakshnabhru, Shlakshnakesha.
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Search found 41 books and stories containing Shlakshna, Ślakṣṇa, Slaksna, Ślakṣṇā; (plurals include: Shlakshnas, Ślakṣṇas, Slaksnas, Ślakṣṇās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
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