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”.
Source: archive.org: Siva Purana - English TranslationTāmbūla (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”.
Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary studyTāmbūla (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.

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].
Source: Shodhganga: Temple management in the Āgamas
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.
Source: ACHC: Smarta PujaLanguages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
tambūla : (nt.) betel-leaf.
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English DictionaryTambūla, (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)
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary
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.
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarytāmbūla (तांबूल).—m A roll of the leaf of Piper- betel, with areca-nut, lime, cardamoms, &c.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-EnglishMarathi 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-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).
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionarySanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. 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.
Relevant definitions
Search found 28 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
Tambulavalli | Tāmbūlavallī (ताम्बूलवल्ली).—f. (-llī) A small plant bearing a pungent leaf, which with the are... | |
Tambulakaranka | Tāmbūlakaraṅka (ताम्बूलकरङ्क).—m. (-ṅkaḥ) The Pan-dan or betel-box. E. tāmbūla as above, and ka... | |
Vasatambula | Vāsatāmbūla (वासताम्बूल).—n. (-laṃ) Betel with other fragrant substances. | |
Tambulada | Tāmbūlada (ताम्बूलद).—a servant attached to men of rank to carry the betel-box and to provide t... | |
Tambuladhara | Tāmbūladhara (ताम्बूलधर).—a servant attached to men of rank to carry the betel-box and to provi... | |
Tambulavahaka | Tāmbūlavāhaka (ताम्बूलवाहक).—a servant attached to men of rank to carry the betel-box and to pr... | |
Tambulapetika | Tāmbūlapeṭikā (ताम्बूलपेटिका).—a betel-box (Mar. pānadāna, pānapuḍā); आकृष्य ताम्बूलकरङ्कमध्यात... | |
Tambuladhikara | Tāmbūlādhikāra (ताम्बूलाधिकार).—the office of carrying the betel-box; Pt.1. Derivable forms: tā... | |
Tambulapattra |
Tāmbūlapattra (ताम्बूलपत्त्र) is another name for Piṇḍālu, which is a Sanskrit word referrin... | |
Upacara | Upacāra (उपचार) refers to a “certain sequence of items” used during the the worship of a deity ... | |
Shodashopacara | Ṣoḍaśopacāra (षोडशोपचार).—Of the various types of pūjās, the one with sixteen (ṣoḍaśa) items or... | |
Naivedya | Naivedya (नैवेद्य) refers to the “offering of food”, representing one of the various services (... | |
Phalika | Phalika (फलिक) is the name of a mountain situated in Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient I... | |
Viti | Viṭi (विटि).—f. (-ṭiḥ or ṭī) Yellow saunders.--- OR --- Vīti (वीति).—f. (-tiḥ) 1. Going, moving... | |
Tambulika | Tāmbulika.—(EI 28), producer and seller of betel leaves. Note: tāmbulika is defined in the “Ind... |
Relevant text
Search found 15 books and stories containing Tambula, Tambūla or Tāmbūla. 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 3: Metals, Gems and other substances (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 9 - Softening of Diamonds < [Chapter XIII - Gems (1): Vajra or Hiraka (diamond)]
Part 25 - Purification of serpent poison < [Chapter XXX - Visha (poisons)]
Part 5 - Taking of tin < [Chapter VI - Metals (6): Vanga (tin)]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.6.141 < [Chapter 6 - Abhīṣṭa-lābha: The Attainment of All Desires]
Verse 2.6.152 < [Chapter 6 - Abhīṣṭa-lābha: The Attainment of All Desires]
Verse 2.6.140 < [Chapter 6 - Abhīṣṭa-lābha: The Attainment of All Desires]
Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.4.186 < [Part 4 - Transient Ecstatic Disturbances (vyābhicāri-bhāva)]
Verse 2.1.354 < [Part 1 - Ecstatic Excitants (vibhāva)]
Verse 2.1.358 < [Part 1 - Ecstatic Excitants (vibhāva)]
Śrī Hari-bhakti-kalpa-latikā (by Sarasvati Thkura)
Text 10 < [Second Stabaka]
The Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)
Chapter 6 - Acts Leading to Vaikuṇṭha < [Section 4 - Brahma-khaṇḍa (Section on Brahman)]
Chapter 234 - How to Observe the Vow of Dvādaśī < [Section 6 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa (Concluding Section)]
Chapter 113 - The Requirements for Narrating a Purāṇa < [Section 5 - Pātāla-Khaṇḍa (Section on the Nether World)]