Shukti, Śukti, Sūkti, Su-ukti: 20 definitions
Introduction:
Shukti means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi. 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 Śukti can be transliterated into English as Sukti or Shukti, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany1)Śukti (शुक्ति) is a Sanskrit word referring to the animal “pearl oyster”. The meat of this animal is part of the māṃsavarga (‘group of flesh’), which is used throughout Ayurvedic literature. The animal Śukti is part of the sub-group named Vāriśaya, refering to animals “living in waters”. It was classified by Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Ayurvedic work. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic properties of the substance.
2) Śukti (शुक्ति) is the Sanskrit name for a weight unit corresponding to ‘20 grams’ used in Ayurvedic literature, according to the Ṣoḍaśāṅgahṛdayam. A single Śukti unit corresponds to 2 Karṣa units (a single Karṣa unit equals 10 gram). You need 2 Śukti units to make a single Pala unit (1 Pala equals 40 grams).
Below follows a table of the different weight units in relation to one another and their corresponding values in brackets:
- Guñjā (Raktikā) = 1 seed of Guñjā
- 8 Raktikā = 1 Māṣa (1 gram)
- 10 Māṣa = 1 Karṣa (10 grams)
- 2 Karṣa = 1 Śukti (20 grams)
- 2 Śukti = 1 Pala (40 grams)
- 2 Pala = 1 Prasṛta (80 grams)
- 2 Prasṛta = 1 Kuḍava (Añjali) (160 grams)
- 2 Kuḍava = 1 Śarāva (320 grams)
- 2 Śarāva = 1 Prastha (640 grams)
- 4 Prastha = 1 Āḍhaka (Pātra) (2.56 kilograms)
- 4 Āḍhaka = 1 Droṇa (10.24 kilograms)
- 4 Droṇa = 1 Droṇī (40.96 kilograms)
- 100 Pala = 1 Tulā (4 kilograms).
Śukti (शुक्ति)—Sanskrit word for an animal “oyster”. This animal is from the group called Kośastha (conchiferous: ‘those which have a shell’). Kośastha itself is a sub-group of the group of animals known as Ānupa (those that frequent marshy places).
Source: Ancient Science of Life: Vaidyavallabha: An Authoritative Work on Ayurveda TherapeuticsŚukti (शुक्ति) refers to “oyster shell”, the ash (bhasma) of which is mentioned as an ingredient of metallic drugs for the treatment of Śopha, as mentioned in the 17th-century Vaidyavallabha (chapter 3) written by Hastiruci.—The Vaidyavallabha is a work which deals with the treatment and useful for all 8 branches of Ayurveda. The text Vaidyavallabha (mentioning śukti-bhasma) has been designed based on the need of the period of the author, availability of drugs during that time, disease manifesting in that era, socio-economical-cultural-familial-spiritual-aspects of that period Vaidyavallabha.
Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgrahaŚukti (शुक्ति) refers to a unit of measurement of weight (1 śukti equals 24mg; 2 śuktis = 1 pala = 48g), as defined in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning śukti] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) which is a branch of pharmacology (dravyaguṇa).
A relative overview of weight-units is found below, śukti indicated in bold. In case of liquids, the metric equivalents would be the corresponding litre and milliliters.
1 Ratti or Guñjā = 125mg,
8 Rattis - 1 Māṣa = 1g,
4 Māṣa - 1 Kaḻañc = 4g,
12 Māṣas - 1 Karṣa = 12g,
1 Karṣa /Akṣa - 1 Niṣka = 12g,
2 Karṣas - 1 Śukti = 24g,
2 Śukti - 1 Pala = 48g,
2 Palas - 1 Prasṛti = 96g,
2 Prasṛtis - 1 Kuḍava = 192g,
2 Kuḍava - 1 Mānikā = 384g,
2 Mānikās - 1 Prastha (Seru) = 768g,
4 Prasthas - 1 Āḍhaka (Kaṃsa) = 3.072kg,
4 Āḍhakas or Kalaśas - 1 Droṇa = 12.288kg,
2 Droṇas - 1 Surpa = 24.576kg,
2 Surpas - 1 Droṇī (Vahi) = 49.152kg,
4 Droṇīs - 1 Khari = 196.608kg,
1 Pala = 48g,
100 Palas - 1 Tulā = 4.8kg,
20 Tulās - 1 Bhāra = 96kg.
Śukti (शुक्ति):—1. A unit of Measurement; Two karshas will make one ardhapala ie. 24 g (rounded to 25 g) of metric units

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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraŚukti (शुक्ति) is the name of an ancient kingdom identified with Delhi, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 4), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If Jupiter should be eclipsed by the lunar disc the men of Gāndhāra, of Sauvīraka, of Sindhu and of Kīra (Kāśmīra) the rulers of the Draviḍa countries and Brāhmins as well as food grains and mountains will suffer for ten months. If Mars should be so eclipsed the rulers of Traigarta (Lāhora) and of Mālavā, with their fighting men in their cars, the chiefs of Kulinda, the rulers of Śibi, of Audha, of Kuru (Delhi), of Matsya and of Śukti will suffer for six months”.

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationSūkti (सूक्ति) refers to “statements and examples (from mythological legends)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.36 (“The statements of the seven sages”).—Accordingly, as the Seven Sages said to Śiva: “O lord Śiva, lord of the gods, O great lord Śiva, please listen lovingly to the narration of what we, your attendants, have done. O great lord, the lord of mountains and Menā have been urged with different kinds of statements and examples (vividha-sūkti) from mythological legends. Undoubtedly he is enlightened. Pārvatī has been betrothed to you by the lord of mountains. It is not otherwise. Now please start for the marriage with your attendants and the gods. O great god, O lord, go to the abode of Himācala and marry Pārvatī in accordance with the customs for the sake of a son”.

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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryŚukti.—same as śatamāna (q. v.). Note: śukti is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
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Śukti.—same as śatamāna (q. v.). Note: śukti is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryśukti (शुक्ति).—f (S) śuktikā f (S) A pearl-oyster. Pr. śuktikēpāsūna mauktika. 2 A half of an oyster-shell, cockle, muscle, or other bivalvular shell.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishśukti (शुक्ति).—f A pearl-oyster.
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 dictionaryŚukti (शुक्ति).—f. [śuc-ktin Uṇn.4.191]
1) An oyster shell, pearl-oyster; पात्रविशेषन्यस्तं गुणान्तरं व्रजति शिल्पमाधातुः । जलमिव समुद्रशुक्तौ मुक्ताफलतां पयोदस्य (pātraviśeṣanyastaṃ guṇāntaraṃ vrajati śilpamādhātuḥ | jalamiva samudraśuktau muktāphalatāṃ payodasya) || M.1.6; Bhartṛhari 2.67; R. 13.17.
2) A conchshell.
3) A small shell, muscle.
4) A portion of the skull.
5) A curl of hair on a horse's breast (or neck); आवर्तिनः शुभफलप्रदशुक्तियुक्ताः (āvartinaḥ śubhaphalapradaśuktiyuktāḥ) Śiśupālavadha 5.4; see Malli. thereon.
6) A kind of perfume.
7) A particular weight equal to two Karṣas.
8) Hemorrhoids.
9) A bone; मुनेः शुक्तिभिरुत्सिक्तो भगवत्तेजसान्वितः (muneḥ śuktibhirutsikto bhagavattejasānvitaḥ) Bhāgavata 6. 1.13.
Derivable forms: śuktiḥ (शुक्तिः).
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Sūkti (सूक्ति).—f.
1) a good or friendly speech.
2) a good or clever saying.
3) a correct sentence.
Derivable forms: sūktiḥ (सूक्तिः).
Sūkti is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms su and ukti (उक्ति).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚukti (शुक्ति).—f.
(-ktiḥ) 1. A pearl-oyster. 2. A conch. 3. A small shell. 4. A cockle. 5. A sort of perfume, in appearance a dried shell-fish. 6. A portion of the skull used as a cup, &c. 7. A curl or feather on a horse’s neck or breast. 8. A weight of two Karshas or half a Pala. 9. A disease of the cornea, formation of specks on it. E. śuc to sorrow, &c., aff. ktin .
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Sukti (सुक्ति).—f.
(-ktiḥ) 1. Friendly speech. 2. Correct exposition.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚukti (शुक्ति).—i. e. 2. śuc + ti, f. 1. A perarl oyster, [Pañcatantra] i. [distich] 280. 2. A conch. 3. A small shell. 4. A portion of the skull used as a cup. 5. A curl or feather on a horse’s neck or breast. 6. A disease of the cornea. 7. A sort of perfume. 8. A weight of two karṣas.
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Sūkti (सूक्ति).—i. e. su-ukti, f. Kind speech, [Rājataraṅgiṇī] 5, 188.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚukti (शुक्ति).—[feminine] pearl-oyster or oyster-shell.
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Sūkti (सूक्ति).—[feminine] a good speech or word.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Śukti (शुक्ति):—[from śukta] f. ([probably] [from] √1. śuc and [originally] ‘shining, bright’) a pearl-oyster or oyster shell (eight sources of pearls are enumerated by [Scholiast or Commentator] on [Kirātārjunīya xii, 40], viz. clouds, elephants, fish, serpents, bamboos, conch-shells, boars, and oyster shells), [Kauśika-sūtra; Kāvya literature] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] a small shell or cockle, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) [v.s. ...] a portion of a skull (used as a cup etc.), [Horace H. Wilson]
4) [v.s. ...] a bone, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
5) [v.s. ...] Tamarindus Indica, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
6) [v.s. ...] Unguis Odoratus, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
7) [v.s. ...] any perfume or fragrant substance, [Rāmāyaṇa]
8) [v.s. ...] a curl or feather on a horse’s neck or breast, [Śiśupāla-vadha]
9) [v.s. ...] a measure of weight (= 1/2 Pala or 4 Karṣas), [Śārṅgadhara-saṃhitā]
10) [v.s. ...] a [particular] disease of the cornea, [Suśruta]
11) [v.s. ...] hemorrhoids, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
12) [v.s. ...] m. Name of an Āṅgirasa, [Pañcaviṃśa-brāhmaṇa]
13) [v.s. ...] of a mountain, [Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa] ([wrong reading] sukti)
14) [v.s. ...] [plural] Name of a people, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]
15) Sukti (सुक्ति):—m. Name of a mountain ([probably] [wrong reading] for śukti), [Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa]
16) Sūkti (सूक्ति):—[from sūkta] f. a good or friendly speech, wise saying, beautiful verse or stanza, [Kāṭhaka; Rāmāyaṇa etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚukti (शुक्ति):—(ktiḥ) 2. f. A pearl oyster; a conch; a cockle; a perfume like a shell-fish; a skull cup; a curl; a weight; a disease of the eyes.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Śukti (शुक्ति) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Sippi, Sutti.
[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 dictionary1) Śukti (शुक्ति):—(nf) an oyster, a pearl oyster; -[taṭa] oyster-bank, oysterbed.
2) Sūkti (सूक्ति):—(nf) a maxim, an epigram, a pithy pointed saying; -[saṃgraha] analects.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusŚukti (ಶುಕ್ತಿ):—
1) [noun] a hard outer covering, as of a mollusk; a shell.
2) [noun] a pearl-oyster shell.
3) [noun] any perfume or fragrant substance.
4) [noun] a curl of hair on the neck or breast of a horse.
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Sūkti (ಸೂಕ್ತಿ):—
1) [noun] a concisely expressed principle or rule of conduct or a statement of a general truth; a maxim; an adage.
2) [noun] the vedic hymns in praise of a deity.
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 (+13): Shuktibadhu, Shuktibhasma, Shuktibija, Shuktichurnaka, Shukticurnaka, Shuktija, Shuktika, Shuktikadi, Shuktikarna, Shuktikavati, Shuktike, Shuktikhalati, Shuktiman, Shuktimana, Shuktimani, Shuktimant, Shuktimanti, Shuktimat, Shuktimati, Shuktimudre.
Ends with: Anjalishukti, Gaushukti, Jalashukti, Krimishukti, Kshudrashukti, Mahashukti, Manishukti, Mauktikashukti, Mrinmayashukti, Muktashukti, Pankashukti, Sagarashukti, Samudrashukti, Varishukti.
Full-text (+147): Shuktija, Sutti, Mahashukti, Jalashukti, Shuktipeshi, Shuktisparsha, Shuktiputa, Mauktikashukti, Krimishukti, Muktashukti, Pankashukti, Shuktikhalati, Shuktivija, Shuktimat, Shaukteya, Shukty, Shuktibadhu, Patolaka, Shaukta, Suktimalika.
Relevant text
Search found 34 books and stories containing Shukti, Śukti, Sukti, Sūkti, Su-ukti; (plurals include: Shuktis, Śuktis, Suktis, Sūktis, uktis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 1: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 2 - Measures of weight < [Chapter VII - Enumeration of technical terms]
Charaka Samhita (English translation) (by Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurvedic Society)
Chapter 12c - Table of Measures (mana) < [Kalpasthana (Kalpa Sthana) — Section on Pharmaceutics]
Vivekachudamani (by Shankara)
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 6.1.28 < [Chapter 1 - Jarāsandha’s Defeat]
Sushruta Samhita, Volume 6: Uttara-tantra (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)
Chapter X - Treatment of Pittaja Ophthalmia < [Canto I - Shalakya-tantra (ears, eyes, nose, mouth and throat)]
Chapter LII - Symptoms and Treatment of Cough (Kasa) < [Canto III - Kaya-chikitsa-tantra (internal medicine)]
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 5: Treatment of various afflictions (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
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