Ushira, Usīra, Uśīra, Usira, Uṣīra: 24 definitions

Introduction:

Ushira means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.

The Sanskrit terms Uśīra and Uṣīra can be transliterated into English as Usira or Ushira, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Yogaśataka of Pandita Vararuci

Uṣīra (उषीर) refers to a medicinal plant known as Vetiveria zizanioides Linn., and is mentioned in the 10th century Yogaśataka written by Pandita Vararuci.—The Yogaśataka of Pandita Vararuci is an example of this category. This book attracts reader by its very easy language and formulations which can be easily prepared and have small number of herbs (viz., Uṣīra). It describes only those formulations which are the most common and can be used in majority conditions of diseases.

Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgraha

Uśīra (उशीर) refers to the medicinal plant known as “Vetiveria zizanioides (Linn.) Nash” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning uśīra] 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).

Cosmetics, Perfumery, Skin care and other Ayurvedic Beauty treatments

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Critical review of Ayurvedic Varṇya herbs

Uṣīra (उषीर) is the name of a medicinal plant known as Vetiveria zizanoides, and used in Ayurveda to promote skin care and enhance the beauty of the skin (varṇya).

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Uśīra (उशीर) is the name of an ingredient used in the treatment of snake-bites such as those caused by the Mahāmaṇḍalī-snakes, according to the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—Accordingly, one of the treatments is mentioned as follows: “Paste of plaintain stem root, mango, Darbha, Uśīra and Mastukā is to be applied on the veins. A drink prepared out of the said ingredients can also be administered”.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

Uśīra (उशीर):—A Sanskrit word referring to “Cuscus grass”, a perennial species of grass from the Poaceae (or Gramineae) family of flowering plants. It is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. It is also known by the names Sevya and Sugandhimūla. In the Prakrit language it is also known as Osīra. Its official botanical name is Chrysopogon zizanioides and is commonly known in english as “Cuscus grass”, “Khus” and “Vetiver” (Vetiveria zizanioides). It is native to India but is widely cultivated in the tropical regions of the world. Cuscus grass is used to fashion objects such as hats, baskets, cushions and other ornaments. The roots of the plant are used for making scented oils.

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

Uśīra (उशीर) refers to “cuscus”, mentioned in verse 3.52-53 of the Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna) by Vāgbhaṭa.—Accordingly, “[...] when hungry, one shall turn to bitter, sweet, astringent, and light food, [...]; to water [...] devoid of dirt, (and) destructive of dirt [...] (and that is) neither causative of effusions nor rough, (but) nectar-like among the beverages etc.; (and)—beautifully adorned) with sandal, cuscus [viz., uśīra], camphor, pearls, garlands, and (fine) clothes— [...]”.

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.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Uśīra (उशीर) is the name of a plant, the root of which is used in ritualistic worship, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.11, while explaining the mode of worshipping Śiva:—“[...] fragrant root of the plant Uśīra and sandal-paste shall be put in the water for washing feet. Fine powders of Jātī, Kaṃkola, Karpūra, root of Vaṭa and Tamālaka should be put in the water intended for sipping. Sandal powder shall be put in all these nine vessels. Nandīśa, the divine Bull of Śiva shall be worshipped beside the lord Śiva. The latter shall be worshipped with scents, incense and different. [...]”.

Purana book cover
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.

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Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)

Source: archive.org: Syainika Sastra of Rudradeva with English Translation (art)

Uśīra (उशीर) refers to “khaskhas root” (used in the treatment of Hawks), 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 treatment of hawks]: “[...] If the disease is produced by the derangement of the bile, a pill made of camphor, cloves, khaskhas root (uśīra), sandal paste, and flesh, is to be given discriminately before a meal, and after that, quail’s flesh in small quantities: water should be given. [...]”.

Arts book cover
context information

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.

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Biology (plants and animals)

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

Ushira in India is the name of a plant defined with Vetiveria zizanioides in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Andropogon festucoides J. Presl (among others).

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

· Contributions from the United States National Herbarium (1925)
· Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden (1994)
· Encyclopédie Méthodique, Botanique (1783)
· Enumeratio Plantarum Zeylaniae (1864)
· Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon (1931)
· Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae (1810)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Ushira, for example extract dosage, health benefits, chemical composition, side effects, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, 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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

usīra : (nt.) fragrant root of Andhropogon Muricantum.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Usīra, (m. & nt.) (Sk. uśīra) the fragrant root of Andropogon Muricatum (cp. bīraṇa) Vin. I, 201; II, 130 (°mayā vijanī); S. II, 88 (°nāḷi); A. II, 199 (id.); Dh. 337; J. V, 39; Th. 1, 402 (°attho). (Page 156)

Pali book cover
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.

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Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

uśīra (उशीर).—m Lateness, time far advanced. 2 Delay. 3 Time yet wanting; time before or until. Ex. arē ajhūna bhōjanāsa kitī u0 āhē. uśirāvara dharaṇēṃ To keep till late; to detain long. u0 dharaṇēṃ To wait a while; to stop a little.

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uśīra (उशीर).—m S A grass, Andropogon muricatum.

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

uśirā (उशिरा).—ad Late; with delay.

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uśīra (उशीर).—m Lateness. Delay. Time yet wanting.

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.

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Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Uśīra (उशीर) or Uṣīra (उषीर).—The fragrant root of the plant Andropogon Muricatus (variṇamūla, Mar. kāḷāvāḷā); स्तनन्यस्तोशीरम् (stananyastośīram) Ś.3.9.

-rī A sort of grass, a small sort of Saccharum.

Derivable forms: uśīraḥ (उशीरः), uśīram (उशीरम्), uṣīraḥ (उषीरः), uṣīram (उषीरम्).

See also (synonyms): uśīraka.

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Uṣīra (उषीर).—= उशीर (uśīra) q. v.

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

Uśīra (उशीर).—mn.

(-raḥ-raṃ) The root of a fragrant grass, (Androdogon muricatum.) f. (-rī) A sort of grass, a small sort of Saccharum. E. vaś ta desire, īran Unadi affix; also with kan added uśīraka.

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Uṣīra (उषीर).—mn.

(-raḥ-raṃ) The root of the Andropogon muricatum. E. vaś to desire, īran affix, śa becomes ṣaḥ see uśīra.

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

Uśīra (उशीर).—m. and n. The root of a fragrant grass, Andropogon muricatum, [Rāmāyaṇa] 2, 55, 14.

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

Uśīra (उशीर).—[masculine] [neuter] a kind of fragrant root.

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

1) Uśīra (उशीर):—[from uśat] mn. ([Uṇādi-sūtra iv, 31]), the fragrant root of the plant Andropogon Muricatus, [Suśruta; Śakuntalā; Hemādri’s Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi] etc.

2) Uṣīra (उषीर):—[varia lectio] for uśīra q.v.

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

1) Uśīra (उशीर):—[(raḥ-raṃ)] 1. m. n. A root of a fragrant grass, (Andropogon.)

2) Uṣīra (उषीर):—[(raḥ-raṃ)] 1. m. n. Andropogon.

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

Uśīra (उशीर) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Usīra.

[Sanskrit to German]

Ushira 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.

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Prakrit-English dictionary

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

Usīra (उसीर) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Uśīra.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Uśīra (ಉಶೀರ):—

1) [noun] the plant Sorghum nitidum ( = Andropogon serratus) of Poaceae family.

2) [noun] its fragrant root.

context information

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

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