Sthula, Sthūla: 29 definitions
Introduction:
Sthula means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi, Hindi, 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.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: The Garuda puranamA Sthula stone is of blue colour, has three lines, is of the form of a tortoise and is dotted with marks.
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)
Source: WorldCat: Rāj nighaṇṭuSthūlā (स्थूला) is another name for Kārpāsī, an unidentified medicinal plant, according to verse 4.188-189 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. The fourth chapter (śatāhvādi-varga) of this book enumerates eighty varieties of small plants (pṛthu-kṣupa). Together with the names Sthūlā and Kālāñjanī, there are a total of ten Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
Source: History of Science in South Asia: Making Gems in Indian Alchemical LiteratureSthūla (स्थूल) refers to the “fatness (of a fish)”, according to the Vādakhaṇḍa section of the Rasaratnākara (lit. “jewel mine of mercury”): a 13th century alchemical work in Sanskrit written by Nityanātha.—(Cf. the recipe for Matsyakajjala).
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botanySthūla (स्थूल, “gross”).—One of the twenty Gurvādiguṇa, or, ‘ten opposing pairs of qualities of drugs’.—Sthūla is the characteristic of a drug referring to the ‘coarseness’, while its opposing quality, Sūkṣma, refers to its ‘subtleness’. 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 Sthūla, present in drugs and herbs, increases the Kapha (bodily fluids, or ‘phlegm’). It exhibits a predominant presence of the elements Earth (pṛthivī).
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of termsSthūla (स्थूल):—Grossness / bulkiness; one of the 20 gurvadi gunas; caused due activated prithvi; denotes physiological & pharmacological grossness & bulkiness; causes covering or protection.
Source: National Mission for Manuscripts: Traditional Medicine System in IndiaSthūla (स्थूल, “gross”) and Sūkṣma (“subtle”) 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. [...] Sūkṣma (“subtle”) has the predominant bhūta (element) of air, space and the associated actions of “pervading/vivaraṇa”; while Sthūla (“gross”) has the predominant bhūta (element) of earth and is associated with the action “covering/saṃvaraṇa”.
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 VarahamihiraSthūla (स्थूल, “big”) refers to a particular shape of the moon, 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, “Having thus described the shape of the moon we next proceed to describe her size (generally): [...] If she should appear broad, she will increase the prosperity of the princes; if she should appear big [i.e., sthūla] there, will be happiness in the land, and if small, there will be abundance of that grain which men like most”.
Source: Wikibooks (hi): Sanskrit Technical TermsSthūla (स्थूल).—Gross, approximate. Note: Sthūla is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry.
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: eScholarship: Chapters 1-14 of the Hayasirsa PancaratraSthūla (स्थूल) refers to “one who is fat”, representing an undesirable characteristic of an Ācārya, according to the 9th-century Hayaśīrṣa-pañcarātra Ādikāṇḍa chapter 3.—The Lord said:—“I will tell you about the Sthāpakas endowed with perverse qualities. He should not construct a temple with those who are avoided in this Tantra. [...] He should not be a Punarbhū, a Svayambhū, a widow’s bastard, or a non-believer, nor irrational, pale, bald or crippled or fat (sthūla). [...] A god enshrined by any of these named above (viz., sthūla), is in no manner a giver of fruit. If a building for Viṣṇu is made anywhere by these excluded types (viz., sthūla) then that temple will not give rise to enjoyment and liberation and will yield no reward, of this there is no doubt”.
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramSthūla (स्थूल, “gross”) refers to one of the three kinds of Caitanya (“consciousness”), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “Consciousness (caitanya) is said to be (of three kinds) gross [i.e., sthūla], very subtle and Unstruck Sound. The Body (piṇḍa) made of these principles is the differentiated (sakala) (aspect) whose form is the ghost (which is the goddess's vehicle). Complete and made of the six parts (noted below), it is sustained by Pure Knowledge (śuddhavidyā). Above it is the measure (called) Sound (nādamātrā), which is just a straight (line) (ṛjumātrā). [...]”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra TantraSthūla (स्थूल, “gross”) refers to one of the three “yogic methods” (upāya), according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 6.6-8]—“The method (upāya) is threefold: gross (sthūla), subltle (sūkṣma), and highest (para). The sthūla [method consists of] sacrifice, oblation, mantra recitation, [and] meditation, together with mudrās, the mohanayantras, and so forth. The king of mantras [i.e., oṃ juṃ saḥ] brings about [relief]. The sukṣma [method contains] yoga of the cakras, etc., and by upward momentum [of breath] through the channels. The para [method], is Mṛtyujit, which is universal and bestows liberation”.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)
Source: archive.org: Syainika Sastra of Rudradeva with English Translation (art)1) Sthūla (स्थूल) refers to a “big (quarry/prey)” (captured by a hawk), 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 black-eyed division of hawks]: “[...] Like servants they become serviceable if their expectations are raised, and if they are rewarded according to their deserts. This class is quick to hear a distant call, to fall on distant prey and capture big quarry (sthūla-lakṣya). The second class will now be treated of. [...]”.
2) Sthūla (स्थूल) refers to “stout (kind of Hawk)”, according to the Śyainika-śāstra—Accordingly, [while discussing the yellow-eyed division of hawks]: “There are four kinds of Vāsa. [...] The Vesaras are of three kinds. [...] The stout kind (sthūla) is the worst; it is named Māṇika. The medium class is called Cūlikāṅka. The best class is like the Vāsā [i.e., Vāsāpratima] both in the thickness of its plumage and in its courage”.
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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Hinduism(Sthūla) Sanskrit; 'thick', 'gross', 'bulky', 'full', 'stout' or 'massive'.
Source: Ashtanga Yoga: Yoga Sutrani Patanjalisthūla = the external aspects of something
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve ReflectionsSthūla (स्थूल) refers to the “thick (root)” (of the true doctrine), according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “The wishing tree of the true doctrine which is firm, whose large and very thick root (prasthūla-mūla) has come forth from compassion for various living souls, whose twelve reflections are massive branches, which is guidance for a householder, whose excellent trunk is the way to heaven, whose splendid blossom is heavenly bliss [and] whose fruit is virtuous inactivity, is caused to ascend by worshippers of the Jina from water in the teachings of the splendid Jinas which are richly wooded”.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)Sthula in India is the name of a plant defined with Artocarpus integrifolius in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Artocarpus integrifolia L.f..
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Supplementum Plantarum Systematis Vegetabilium Editionis Decimae Tertiae (1782)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Sthula, for example extract dosage, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, health benefits, side effects, chemical composition, 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
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarysthūla (स्थूल).—a (S) Great, large, big, thick. 2 Gross, bulky, corpulent, huge and coarse. 3 Dense or gross, not attenuate or subtil. 4 Dense or gross, figuratively; dull, doltish, blockish, stupid, stolid.
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sthūḷa (स्थूळ).—&c. The Prakrit or poetic form of writing sthūla, sthūladēha &c.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishsthūla (स्थूल).—a Great, big; bulky. Dense. Dull.
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sthūḷa (स्थूळ).—(For sthūla.) Bulky.
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 dictionarySthūla (स्थूल).—a. (compar. sthavīyas superl. sthaviṣṭha)
1) Large, great, big, bulky, huge; बहुस्पृशापि स्थूलेन स्थीयते बहिरश्मवत् (bahuspṛśāpi sthūlena sthīyate bahiraśmavat) Śiśupālavadha 2.78 (where it has sense 6 also); स्थूलहस्तावलेपान् (sthūlahastāvalepān) Meghadūta 14,18; R.6.28.
2) Fat, corpulent, stout.
3) Strong, powerful; स्थूलं स्थूलं श्वसिति (sthūlaṃ sthūlaṃ śvasiti) K. 'breathes hard'.
4) Thick, clumsy.
5) Gross, coarse, rough (fig. also) as in स्थूलमानम् (sthūlamānam) q. v.
6) Foolish, doltish, silly, ignorant.
7) Stolid, dull, thick-headed.
8) Not exact.
9) (Inphil.) Material (opp. to sūkṣma).
-laḥ The jack tree.
-lā -1 Large cardamoms.
2) Scindaspus Officinalis (Mar. gajapiṃpaḷī).
3) Cucumis Utilissimus (Mar. thorakākaḍī).
-lam 1 A heap, quantity.
2) A tent.
3) The summit of a mountain (kūṭa).
4) Sour milk, curds.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionarySthūla (स्थूल).—as epithet of bhūmi, gross, material (stage of life), in contrast with the ten Bodhisattva-bhūmayaḥ (just described in the text): asthānam…yadā sthūlāhi bhūmihi, tatpure adhigaccheyuḥ sarvajñatvaṃ tathāgatāḥ Mahāvastu i.192.12(—13), verses; it is impossible that T's should attain omniscience before that (course of the ten bhūmi), in gross (worldly) stages. So Senart, plausibly.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionarySthula (स्थुल).—n.
(-laṃ) A sort of long tent; more properly sthūla .
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Sthūla (स्थूल).—mfn.
(-laḥ-lā-laṃ) 1. Fat, corpulent, bulky. 2. Stupid, dull ignorant, thick-headed. 3. Large, great. 4. Coarse. 5. Clumsy. 6. Not exact. 7. Solid. 8. Strong, powerful. 9. Big, huge. n.
(-laṃ) 1. A heap, a quantity. 2. A tent. 3. The top or summit of a mountain. f.
(-lā) 1. A sort of pepper, (Pothos officinalis.) 2. A pumpkin-gourd. m.
(-laḥ) The jack-fruit tree. E. sthūl to be large or fat, aff. ac .
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionarySthūla (स्थूल).—sthūla = sthūra (with l for r), but in the original signification of its base, sthā + vara, I. adj., comparat. sthūlatara and sthavīyaṃs, superl. sthūlatama and sthaviṣṭha. 1. Great, large, [Rājataraṅgiṇī] 5, 12; [Meghadūta, (ed. Gildemeister.)] 47; [Pañcatantra] i. [distich] 373; sthūlatara, Very large, [Pañcatantra] 134, 5. 2. Bulky, [Vedāntasāra, (in my Chrestomathy.)] in
Sthūla (स्थूल).—[adjective] = sthūra, also coarse, gross, material ([opposed] sūkṣma); stupid, dull; [neuter] = sthūlaśarīra.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Sthula (स्थुल):—[from sthuḍ] 1. sthula n. (perhaps for sthuḍa See [preceding]) a sort of long tent, [Śiśupāla-vadha]
2) [from sthū] 2. sthula See apa-ṣṭhula p. 53, col. 1.
3) Sthūla (स्थूल):—[from sthūl] mf(ā)n. ([from] √sthū = sthā and originally identical with sthūra) large, thick, stout, massive, bulky, big, huge, [Atharva-veda] etc. etc.
4) [v.s. ...] coarse, gross, rough (also [figuratively] = ‘not detailed or precisely defined’; cf. yathā-sth), [Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.
5) [v.s. ...] dense, dull, stolid, doltish, stupid, ignorant (cf. [compound]), [Mahābhārata; Pañcatantra]
6) [v.s. ...] (in [philosophy]) gross, tangible, material (opp. to sūkṣma, ‘subtle’; cf. sthūla-śarīra)
7) [v.s. ...] m. Artocarpus Integrifolia, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
8) [v.s. ...] Name of one of Śiva’s attendants, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
9) [v.s. ...] m. n. [gana] ardharcādi
10) Sthūlā (स्थूला):—[from sthūla > sthūl] f. Scindapsus Officinalis, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
11) [v.s. ...] Cucumis Utilissimus, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
12) [v.s. ...] large cardamoms, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
13) Sthūla (स्थूल):—[from sthūl] n. ‘the gross body’ (= sthūla-ś), [Upaniṣad; Mahābhārata] etc.
14) [v.s. ...] sour milk, curds, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
15) [v.s. ...] = kūṭa, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
16) [v.s. ...] a heap, quantity, [Horace H. Wilson]
17) [v.s. ...] a tent ([probably] for 1. sthula), [ib.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Sthūla (स्थूल):—sthūlayate 1. d. To increase, fatten, become big or bulky.
2) [(laḥ-lā-laṃ) a.] Bulky; fat; stupid; large; clumsy, coarse. m. Jack tree. 1. f. Pepper; a pumpkin. n. A heap, quantity; a tent.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Sthūla (स्थूल) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Thulla.
[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 dictionarySthūla (स्थूल) [Also spelled sthul]:—(a) plump, fat, bulky, corpulent; thick; massive; rough, crude; gross; ~[tā/tva] fatness, bulkiness, corpulence; thickness; crudeness; grossness; ~[dhī/buddhi mati] a nitwit; crude; —[rūpa se] roughly: crudely; —[śarīra] the gross body (as opposed to [sukṣma śarīra] ).
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusSthūla (ಸ್ಥೂಲ):—
1) [adjective] thick; stout.
2) [adjective] strong; robust; sturdy.
3) [adjective] a fat and fleshy; corpulent.
4) [adjective] not worked out in detail; without claim to be exact or complete; approximate; rough.
5) [adjective] slow-witted; dull.
6) [adjective] gross; physical (as diff. from spiritual).
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Sthūla (ಸ್ಥೂಲ):—
1) [noun] the quality of being fat and fleshy (as the body of a person).
2) [noun] the quality of being thick, stout (as a staff, club, etc.).
3) [noun] a slothful, sluggish man.
4) [noun] the physical or gross body (as diff. from the subtle body.
5) [noun] that which is physical, not spiritual.
6) [noun] the leg.
7) [noun] a portable shelter made of skins, canvas, plastic or the like, supported by one or more poles or a frame and often secured by ropes fastened to pegs in the ground; a tent.
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 (+166): Sthuabhuja, Sthula-alekhana, Sthula-citra, Sthula-dhiya, Sthulabahu, Sthulabha, Sthulabhadra, Sthulabhadrasvami, Sthulabhava, Sthulabhiksha, Sthulabhoga, Sthulabhuta, Sthulabinduka, Sthulabuddhi, Sthulabuddhimat, Sthulacancu, Sthulacapa, Sthulacarya, Sthulachakra, Sthulachanchu.
Ends with: Apashthula, Asthula, Atisthula, Ativisamshthula, Dushthula, Mahasthula, Muktasthula, Prasthula, Samshthula, Sthulasthula, Visamshthula, Vishasthula, Yathasthula.
Full-text (+243): Sthulasharira, Sthulasya, Sthulanasika, Sthulapada, Sthulahasta, Thulla, Sthulashati, Sthulapattaka, Sthulamarica, Sthulakaya, Sthuladhi, Sthuladala, Sthaulya, Sthulavalkala, Sthulashirshika, Sthulabuddhi, Sthulalaksha, Sthulakarna, Sthulakshveda, Sthulakanta.
Relevant text
Search found 79 books and stories containing Sthula, Sthūla, Sthūḷa, Sthūlā; (plurals include: Sthulas, Sthūlas, Sthūḷas, Sthūlās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Cidgaganacandrika (study) (by S. Mahalakshmi)
Verse 127 [Sixty-four Varṇa Śakti in Sṛṣṭi and Saṃhāra] < [Chapter 3 - Third Vimarśa]
Verse 121 [Jagadbīja-vāsanā consumption by Lelihānā] < [Chapter 3 - Third Vimarśa]
Part 6 - Ṣaḍadhvā (six ways in the process of creation) < [Philosophy of Kashmir Tantric System]
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.4.76 < [Part 4 - Transient Ecstatic Disturbances (vyābhicāri-bhāva)]
Verse 3.4.19 < [Part 4 - Parenthood (vātsalya-rasa)]
Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari (by K. A. Subramania Iyer)
Verse 3.14.514 < [Book 3 - Pada-kāṇḍa (14): Vṛtti-samuddeśa (On Ccomplex Formation)]
Verse 2.155 < [Book 2 - Vākya-kāṇḍa]
Verse 3.14.615 < [Book 3 - Pada-kāṇḍa (14): Vṛtti-samuddeśa (On Ccomplex Formation)]
Jivanandana of Anandaraya Makhin (Study) (by G. D. Jayalakshmi)
Diseases and treatments related to skin < [Chapter 4 - Āyurvedic principles in Jīvanandana Nāṭaka]
The Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)
Vivekachudamani (by Shankara)
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