Taila, Tailā: 30 definitions

Introduction:

Taila means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi, biology, Tamil. 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.

Alternative spellings of this word include Tail.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)

Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval India

Taila (तैल) refers to “oils” according to the 17th century Bhojanakutūhala (dravyaguṇāguṇa-kathana), and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—Taila-prakaraṇa describes the properties of the oil prepared from tila (sesame), eraṇḍa (castor), sarṣapa (mustard), dhānya (grains), nimbi (neem), karpūra (camphor), nārikera (coconut), āmra (mango), kusumbha (safflower), tuvarī (horse gram) and kapittha (wood apple).

In the Taila or “oils” group of foodstuffs, the following substances are beneficial (hita) to the body: Tilataila (sesame oil). The following substances are harmful (ahita) to the body: Kusumbhataila (safflower oil).

Cikitsa (natural therapy and treatment for medical conditions)

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Botanical identification of plants described in Mādhava Cikitsā

Taila (तैल) or Tila refers to the medicinal plant Sesamum indicum L. S. orientale L., and is used in the treatment of atisāra (diarrhoea), according to the 7th century Mādhavacikitsā chapter 2. Atisāra refers to a condition where there are three or more loose or liquid stools (bowel movements) per day or more stool than normal.  The second chapter of the Mādhavacikitsā explains several preparations [including Taila] through 60 Sanskrit verses about treating this problem.

Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)

Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgraha

Taila (तैल) refers to “medicated oil” and is a Sanskrit technical term appearing in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva..—Taila is medicated oil containing herbal extracts. For preparing medicated oil three components are used. They are liquids like decoction, juice, milk, buttermilk, meat soup etc, paste of drugs and the oil. Proportion of the recipe is thus–paste one-fourth of oil and liquid four times of oil. If more liquids are mentioned, each of them should be taken equal to the quantity of oil. If no liquid is mentioned water should be added and unless otherwise mentioned gingili oil is used. These three components are mixed and cooked together. When it is properly cooked, large number of form appear at the surface. If poured on fire it will not make sound but burns and the paste will not stick on fingers. Then it is filtered and salt or alkali is added, if necessary.

Sometimes, oils are subjected to another process called gandhapāka, i.e. rendering fragrance. Four kinds ripeness are said for medicated oils, viz. āma (half), mṛdu (mild), madhyama (intermediate) and khara (hard). Among them half boiled is without quality, mild is for snuffing, intermediate is for all purposes and hard is for smearing on the body. It is notable that oils shall not be cooked by one day.

Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)

Source: Asian Agri-History: Paśu Āyurvēda (Veterinary Medicine) in Garuḍapurāṇa

Taila (तैल) refers to “oil” and is used in the various Anupāna (“drink take”), according to sections on the treatment of Horses (Gajāyurveda or Aśvāyurveda) in the Garuḍapurāṇa.—The Anupāna i.e. the drink take along with or after medicine was important in treatment. Because it may help in carrying, absorption, assimilation and enhancing action of the drugs. Normally the selection of anupāna is done depends upon disease, doṣa etc.—[...] In diseases of the deranged and aggravated vāyu the medicine should be administered through the taila (oil), or in combination with śarkarā (sugar), ājya/ghṛita (ghee) or toya (water).

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

Taila (गुड, “oil”) is a Sanskrit technical term translating to “Herbal oils” and is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. All traditional herbal oils are prepared with the base of Sesame oil (Sesamum indicum). It is also known by the name Tila (तिल).

Source: archive.org: Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita (first 5 chapters)

Taila (तैल) refers to “sesame-oil”, which is mentioned in verse 3.13 of the Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna) by Vāgbhaṭa.—Accordingly, “[...] Having thereupon bathed according to ritual—with the oil removed by an astringent—,rubbed (one’s body) with musk-charged saffron, (and) fumigated (oneself) with aloe-wood one shall (at last) turn to [...] fresh victuals, lard, (and) sesame-oil [viz., taila]; (besides), to tepid water for purification (and) a bed covered with a quilt, hide, and silk, ramie, or goat’s-hair sheet [...]”.

Source: Academia.edu: Ayurveda and Pharmaceutics

Taila or snehapāka (Medicated oils): The medicated substances in the liquid form are boiled with recommended oils till all the water present is evaporated. The remaining oil is used as medicine both internally and externally. Oil for internal use is less boiled than those used externally. Example: Nirgunḍi taila. Oils used as external/topical application get absorbed well. The water based substances are not absorbed through skin. Hence, snehapāka is equal to parenteral route of drug administration. If honey bee or any other wax is added it turns into malaharam or ointment. Example: Sindhūrādi-lepam. The lepam (malaharam) or ointment form is more popular today than earlier. If ghṛta (ghee) is used in the place of oil, the resulting medicament is known as ghṛakalpa. Example: Jātyādighrita.

Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

Taila (तैल):—Oil;

Ayurveda book cover
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.

Discover the meaning of taila in the context of Ayurveda from relevant books on Exotic India

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: OpenEdition books: Architectural terms contained in Ajitāgama and Rauravāgama

Taila (तैल) refers to “oil § 2.16.”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)

Vastushastra book cover
context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

Discover the meaning of taila in the context of Vastushastra from relevant books on Exotic India

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Taila (तैल) refers to “oil”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 5), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “What eclipses the moon is bigger than the moon; what eclipses the sun is smaller than the sun. Hence in semi-lunar and semi-solar eclipses, the luminous horns are respectively blunt and sharp. [...] It is wrong to say that there can be no eclipse unless five planets are in conjunction and it is equally wrong to suppose that on the previous Aṣṭamī (eighth lunar) day, the coming eclipse and its properties can be ascertained by examining the appearance of a drop of oil [i.e., taila] on the surface of water”.

Jyotisha book cover
context information

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.

Discover the meaning of taila in the context of Jyotisha from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and Subjects

Taila (तैल, ‘sesamum oil’) is mentioned in the Atharvaveda, where reference is made to keeping such oil in jars. In the Śāṅkhāyana-āraṇyaka, reference is made to anointing with sesamum oil.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: academia.edu: The Structure and Meanings of the Heruka Maṇḍala

Taila (तैल) is the name of a Vīra (hero) who, together with the Ḍākinī named Tailinī (or Tailī) forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the Guṇacakra, according to the 10th century Ḍākārṇava chapter 15. Accordingly, the guṇacakra refers to one of the four divisions of the sahaja-puṭa (‘innate layer’), situated within the padma (lotus) in the middle of the Herukamaṇḍala. The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs and Vīras [viz., Taila] are whitish red in color; they each have one face and four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

Discover the meaning of taila in the context of Tibetan Buddhism from relevant books on Exotic India

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Taila (तैल) refers to the “oil (of the lamp)”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[The eighteen āveṇika-dharmas (‘special attributes’)]— [...] (10). The Buddha has no loss of wisdom.—He has no loss of wisdom.—As the Buddha has obtained all these wisdoms, he has no loss of wisdom; as his wisdom of the three times is unobstructed, he has no loss of wisdom. Moreover, he is endowed with the ten powers (bala), the four fearlessnesses (vaiśāradya) and the four unhindered wisdoms (pratisaṃvid): this is why he has no loss of wisdom. If the oil (taila) is plentiful and the wick (vartikā) is clean, the flame of the lamp (dīpa-jvāla) is excellent. It is the same for the Buddha who has concentrations such as the Samādhirājasamādhi as oil and, as clean wick, the absence of loss of mindfulness. This is why the radiance of his wisdom is immense and uneclipsed. [...]”.

Mahayana book cover
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.

Discover the meaning of taila in the context of Mahayana from relevant books on Exotic India

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Jaina Yoga

Taila (तैल, “oil”) refers to one of the ten classifications of food (āhāra), also known as vikṛtis, according to the 12th century Yogaśāstra (verse 3.130) by Hemacandra. Taila refers to oil, which may be of four kinds: sesamum, flax (atasī), mustard, and saffron (kusumbha). Other oils are not for consumption as food but are used for preparing plaster or for sticking.

General definition book cover
context information

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.

Discover the meaning of taila in the context of General definition from relevant books on Exotic India

India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Taila.—oils; a branch of revenue according to the Artha- śāstra. See Ghoshal, H. Rev. Syst., p. 90. Note: taila is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

India history book cover
context information

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.

Discover the meaning of taila in the context of India history from relevant books on Exotic India

Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

Taila in India is the name of a plant defined with Eucalyptus globulus in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Eucalyptus maidenii subsp. globulus (Labill.) J.B. Kirkp..

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Journal de Botanique Société de Botanique de France (2004)
· Cytologia (1985)
· Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2002)
· Bot. Journal of the Linnean Society (1975)
· Aspects of Plant Sciences (1989)
· Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2003)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Taila, for example extract dosage, health benefits, side effects, chemical composition, pregnancy safety, diet and recipes, have a look at these references.

Biology book cover
context information

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.

Discover the meaning of taila in the context of Biology from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

taila (तैल).—n S Oil.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

taila (तैल).—n Oil.

context information

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.

Discover the meaning of taila in the context of Marathi from relevant books on Exotic India

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Taila (तैल).—[tilasya tatsadṛśasya vā vikāraḥ aṇ]

1) Oil; लभेत सिकतासु तैलमपि यत्नतः पीडयन् (labheta sikatāsu tailamapi yatnataḥ pīḍayan) Bhartṛhari 2.5; Y.1.284; R.8.38.

2) Benzoin.

Derivable forms: tailam (तैलम्).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Taila (तैल).—n.

(-laṃ) 1. Oil, expressed oil, prepared from sesamum, mustard, &c. 2. Storax, gum benzoin, incense. E. tila sesamum, and aṇ aff. tilasya tatsadṛśasya vā vikāraḥ .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Taila (तैल).—i. e. tila + a, n. 1. Oil, [Yājñavalkya, (ed. Stenzler.)] 1, 283. 2. Incense, [Varāhamihira's Bṛhajjātaka.] S. 76, 4.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Taila (तैल).—[neuter] sesamum oil, oil i.[grammar]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Taila (तैल):—n. ([from] tila) sesamum oil, oil, [Atharva-veda i, 7, 2 (?); Kauśika-sūtra; Gobhila-śrāddha-kalpa; Manu-smṛti] etc. (ifc. [Pāṇini 5-2, 29], Vārtt.4, [Patañjali]; ifc. f(ā). , [Kumāra-sambhava vii, 9])

2) olibanum, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā lxxvii, 4 and 6.]

3) m. Name of a king, [Inscriptions]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Taila (तैल):—(laṃ) 1. n. Oil; incense.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Taila (तैल) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Tilla, Tela, Tella.

[Sanskrit to German]

Taila in German

context information

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.

Discover the meaning of taila in the context of Sanskrit from relevant books on Exotic India

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Taila (तैल) [Also spelled tail]:—(nm) oil; ~[citra] an oil painting; ~[pota] an oil tanker; ~[raṃga] oil colour; [tailākta] anointed or smeared with oil.

context information

...

Discover the meaning of taila in the context of Hindi from relevant books on Exotic India

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Taila (ತೈಲ):—

1) [noun] the sesame oil.

2) [noun] any oil in gen.

3) [noun] any of various liquid, medicinal preparations usu. used for external applications on the body.

--- OR ---

Taiḷa (ತೈಳ):—[noun] = ತೈಲ [taila].

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Discover the meaning of taila in the context of Kannada from relevant books on Exotic India

Tamil dictionary

Source: DDSA: University of Madras: Tamil Lexicon

Tailā (தைலா) noun < Urdu thailē. Wooden box, trunk; மரப்பெட்டி. [marappetti.] (J.)

context information

Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.

Discover the meaning of taila in the context of Tamil from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Related products

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: