Shrigala, aka: Śṛgāla, Sṛgāla, Srigala; 6 Definition(s)

Introduction

Shrigala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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 Śṛgāla and Sṛgāla can be transliterated into English as Srgala or Shrigala or Srigala, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Śṛgāla (शृगाल)—Sanskrit word for the animal “jackal”. This animal is from the group called Guhāśaya (‘which have a lair’, or, ‘cave-dwelling mammals’). Guhāśaya itself is a sub-group of the group of animals known as Jāṅghala (living in high ground and in a jungle).

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Śṛgāla (शृगाल).—A King of the "Strī rājya". This king had attended the Svayaṃvara of the daughter of Citrāṅgada, king of Kaliṅga. (Mahābhārata, Śānti Parva, Chapter 4, Verse 7)

context information

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)

Sṛgāla (सृगाल, ‘jackal’) is not found until the Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa (xii. 5, 2, 5), but is common in the Epic.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Śṛgāla (शृगाल, “jackal”) represents an incarnation destination of the tiryaggati (animal realm) according to the “world of transmigration” section in the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XXVII).—The Bodhisattva sees the animals (tiryak) undergoing all the torments: they are made to gallop by blows of the whip or stick; they are made to make long journeys carrying burdens; their harness is damaged; they are branded with hot iron. If they have deceived honest people (sajjanāvamāna), they take the body of [for example], a jackal (śṛgāla).

context information

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

śṛgāla (शृगाल).—m A male jackal. śṛgālī f A female jackal.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Śṛgāla (शृगाल).—[asṛjaṃ lāti lā-ka pṛṣo°]

1) A jackal.

2) A cheat, rogue, swindler.

3) A coward.

4) An ill-natured man, one using harsh words.

5) Name of Kṛṣṇa.

Derivable forms: śṛgālaḥ (शृगालः).

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Sṛgāla (सृगाल).—A jackal; see शृगाल (śṛgāla).

Derivable forms: sṛgālaḥ (सृगालः).

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