Tambula, aka: Tambūla, Tāmbūla; 11 Definition(s)

Introduction

Tambula means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, 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.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Tāmbūla (ताम्बूल) refers to “betel leaves” and represents one of the sixteen upacāra, or “sixteen types of homage and services”, as described while explaining the mode of worshipping the phallic form (liṅga) of Śiva in the Śivapurāṇa 1.11. Accordingly, “[...] the devotee shall worship the mobile emblem with the sixteen types of homage and services (upacāra) as prescribed. It accords the region of Śiva gradually. The sixteen types of service are [for example, betel leaves (tāmbūla)] [...] Or he shall perform all the sixteen rites in the phallic emblem of human, saintly or godly origin, or in one naturally risen up (svayambhū) or in one of very extraordinary nature installed duly”.

Tāmbūla (betel leaves) forms a preferable constituent for a great offering, according to the Śivapurāṇa 1.16. Accordingly, “[...] the great offering of eatables shall be made to Śiva especially in the month of Dhanus. The constituent parts of the great offering are as follows:—[...] betal leaves (tāmbūla) [...] This great offering of eatables made to the deities shall be distributed among devotees m the order of their castes”.

Tāmbūla (ताम्बूल) refers to “betel leaves”, forming part of a common diet in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) as mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—Tāmbūla is recommended as offerings for the spectators of a dramatic performance (verse 864). Kalhaṇa also testifies to their popularity. Most of the references to the articles of diet occur in the Nīlamata in connection with the offerings made to the gods but it is not difficult to infer from them the food and drink of the common people because “what a man eats his gods eat”.

Tāmbūla (ताम्बूल).—Offered to Hari in Payovrata.¹ Offered by the merchants of Mathurā to Kṛṣṇa and his brother;² used by Trivakrā before she met Kṛṣṇa;³ offered to Brahmana ladies, who were not widows, in the Devi temple just before the marriage of Rukmiṇī;⁴ given by Kṛṣṇa to Brahmanas;⁵ offered to Kucela by Kṛṣṇa;⁶ offered to Hari by Indrasena;⁷ to be offered to Tripurasundari during worship.⁸

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VIII. 16. 41.
• 2) Ib. X. 42. 13.
• 3) Ib. X. 48. 5.
• 4) Ib. X. 53. 48; 61. 6.
• 5) Ib. X. 70. 13: 73. 26.
• 6) Ib. X. 80. 22.
• 7) Ib. X. 85. 37; XI. 27. 43.
• 8) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 43. 13.

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Tāmbūla (ताम्बूल) or Mukhavāsa refers to “betel leaves, nuts and other mouth fresheners” and represents one of the various upacāras (offerings), in pūjā (ritual worship), as defined in the Śaivāgamas.—Pūjā consists of offering hospitality, in the form of water to wash the feet, to drink, water for ablutions, offering a bath, new clothes, fragrant unguents, fragrant flowers and ornaments, food and so on. Each step in the pūjā process is called “saṃskāra” and each offering is called “upacāra” [viz., Tāmbūla].

context information

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Tāmbūla (ताम्बूल) refers to the “offering of betel”, representing one of the various services (upacāra) of a pūjā (ritualistic worship of a deity) which aim at the purification of the devotee.—After the meal betel (tāmbūla, i.e. a piece of areca nut and other ingredients wrapped in two betel leaves) is given to scent the mouth. The offering of betel after a meal is not mentioned in ancient Gṛhyasūtras and Dharmasūtras.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

tambūla : (nt.) betel-leaf.

Tambūla, (nt.) (Sk. tambūla) betel or betel-leaves (to chew after the meal) J. I, 266, 291; II, 320; Vism. 314; DhA. III, 219. —°pasibbaka betel-bag J. VI, 367. (Page 297)

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Marathi-English dictionary

tāmbūla (तांबूल).—m S pop. tāmbūḷa m A viḍā or roll of the leaf of Piper betel, with areca-nut, lime, cardamoms &c.

--- OR ---

tāmbūla (तांबूल).—n R Commonly tāmbalī or tāmbalēṃ.

tāmbūla (तांबूल).—m A roll of the leaf of Piper- betel, with areca-nut, lime, cardamoms, &c.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Tāmbūla (ताम्बूल).—

1) The areca-nut.

2) The leaf of piperbetel, which together with the areca-nut, catechu, chunam, and spices is usually chewed after meals; ताम्बूलभृतगल्लोऽयं भल्लं जल्पति मानुषः (tāmbūlabhṛtagallo'yaṃ bhallaṃ jalpati mānuṣaḥ) K. P.7; रागो न स्खलित- स्तवाधरपुटे ताम्बूलसंवर्धितः (rāgo na skhalita- stavādharapuṭe tāmbūlasaṃvardhitaḥ) Ś. Til.7.

Derivable forms: tāmbūlam (ताम्बूलम्).

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