Vakula, Vakulā, Vākula: 21 definitions
Introduction:
Vakula means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: archive.org: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)One of the Hands indicating Trees.—Vakula, the Saṃdaṃsa hand;
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Dharmashastra (religious law)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-śāstraVakula (वकुल) is a Sanskrit word, identified with Mimusops elengi by various scholars in their translation of the Śukranīti. This tree is mentioned as bearing good fruits. The King should plant such domestic plants in and near villages. He should nourish them by stoole of goats, sheep and cows, water as well as meat.
The following is an ancient Indian recipe for such nourishment of trees:
According to Śukranīti 4.4.105-109: “The trees (such as vakula) are to be watered in the morning and evening in summer, every alternate day in winter, in the fifth part of the day (i.e., afternoon) in spring, never in the rainy season. If trees have their fruits destroyed, the pouring of cold water after being cooked together with Kulutha, Māṣa (seeds), Mudga (pulse), Yava (barley) and Tila (oil seed) would lead to the growth of flowers and fruits. Growth of trees can be helped by the application of water with which fishes are washed and cleansed.”
Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1) Vakulā (वकुला).—A river of the Ketumālā.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 44. 17.
2) Vakula (वकुल).—A Janapada of the Ketumālā.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 44. 15.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Śrīmad Devī BhāgavatamVakula (वकुल) is the name of a tree found in maṇidvīpa (Śakti’s abode), according to the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa 12.10. Accordingly, these trees always bear flowers, fruits and new leaves, and the sweet fragrance of their scent is spread across all the quarters in this place. The trees (e.g. Vakula) attract bees and birds of various species and rivers are seen flowing through their forests carrying many juicy liquids. Maṇidvīpa is defined as the home of Devī, built according to her will. It is compared with Sarvaloka, as it is superior to all other lokas.
The Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa, or Śrīmad-devī-bhāgavatam, is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, a type of Sanskrit literature containing cultural information on ancient India, religious/spiritual prescriptions and a range of topics concerning the various arts and sciences. The whole text is composed of 18,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 6th century.
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha ChikitsaVakula (वकुल) refers to an herbal ingredient which is included in a (snake) poison antidote recipe , 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).—Kāśyapa prescribes various antidotes to quell the poison by administering them through nasal drugs, collyrium, ointment, herbal drinks and diet. According to Kāśyapasaṃhitā (verse VIII.23)—“Another nasal prescription as potent antidote for snake poison—a Nasya prepared from a paste of Guñjā, Hingu, Vakula, juice of the bark of Śigru and pepper, inhaled twice can form a formidable antidote to quell poison”.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraVakula (वकुल) or Vākula is another name for the Bhikṣu Bakkula, whose story occurs during the time of Buddha Vipaśyin, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 36.—Accordingly, “thus, at the time of the Buddha Pi-p’o-che (Vipaśyin), the Bhikṣu Po-kiu-lo (Bakkula) offered a a-li-lö (harītakī) fruit to the Community. For ninety-one kalpas he enjoyed happiness among gods and men. He was never sick. And today, having met the Buddha Śākyamuni, he went forth from home (pravrajita), destroyed his impurities (kṣīṇāsrava) and became Arhat”.
Note: This is a well-known monk called Bakkula, Vakula and Vākula in Sanskrit; Bakkula, Bākula and Vakkula in Pāli. The name means ‘Two families’ (dvakkula, dvikkula).
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.
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhist Teachers, Deities and other Spiritual beingsVakula (वकुल) is another name for Bakula—one of the Sixteen Arhats (known in Tibetan as gnas brtan bcu drug) who were chosen by Buddha Shakyamuni to remain in the world and protect the Dharma until the arrival of the future Buddha Maitreya. They vowed to maintain the Dharma for as long as beings could benefit from it. These legendary Arhats [e.g., Vakula] were revered in countries such as China, Japan, India and Tibet—a tradition which continues up until this day, for example in Zen Buddhism and Tibetan art.
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.
India history and geography
Source: Shodhganga: Cultural history as g leaned from kathasaritsagaraVakula or Bakula is the name of a tree mentioned in the Kathasaritsagara by Somadeva (10th century A.D).—Vakula is always mentioned with the Ela-lavanga trees. It is known for its delicate and fragrant flowers.
Somadeva mentions many rich forests, gardens, various trees (e.g., Vakula), creepers medicinal and flowering plants and fruit-bearing trees in the Kathasaritsagara. Travel through the thick, high, impregnable and extensive Vindhya forest is a typical feature of many travel-stories. Somadeva’s writing more or less reflects the life of the people of Northern India during the 11th century. His Kathasaritsagara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Vakula, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravahanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyadharas (celestial beings).
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryvakula : (m.) the tree Mimusops Elengi.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryVakula, (cp. *Sk. vakula) a tree (Mimusops elengi) J. V, 420. (Page 591)
[Pali to Burmese]
Source: Sutta: Tipiṭaka Pāḷi-Myanmar Dictionary (တိပိဋက-ပါဠိမြန်မာ အဘိဓာန်)vakula—
(Burmese text): ချယားပင်၊ ခရေပင်။
(Auto-Translation): Cinderella, Princess.
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.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryVakula (वकुल).—See बकुल (bakula).
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Vākula (वाकुल).—See बाकुल (bākula).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryVakula (वकुल) or Bakkula or Bakula or Vakkula or Vatkula.—(1) (= Pali Bakkula, Bākula, Vakkula), name of a disciple of Buddha: Bakkula Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 2.5; 207.4; Bakula (the same per- son?) Karmavibhaṅga (and Karmavibhaṅgopadeśa) 76.11, called king of Kashmir and son of Dharmayaśas, noted for his health and long life, which in Pali is a characteristic of the thera Ba°; Vakkula Lalitavistara 2.2 (v.l. Vakula; Tibetan Ba ku la); Sukhāvatīvyūha 92.8; Mahāvyutpatti 1065 (var. Vakula; Tibetan Ba ku la, or Bag ku la); Vakula Sukhāvatīvyūha 2.9; Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya i.192.18 ff.; Vatkula Divyāvadāna 396.2 f.; (2) name of two vakṣas: Mahā-Māyūrī 6, 54 (Lévi Vakula).
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Vakula (वकुल).—see Ba°.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryVakula (वकुल).—m.
(-laḥ) A plant, (Mimusops elengi.) f. (-lī) A sort of drug, commonly Kakoli. E. vak to be crooked, aff. ulac .
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryVakula (वकुल).—I. m. A plant, Mimusops elengi, [Ṛtusaṃhāra] 2, 25 (bakula); [Mālavikāgnimitra, (ed. Tullberg.)] (Weber, n. 73). Ii. f. lī, A sort of drug.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryVakula (वकुल).—etc. v. bakula.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Vakula (वकुल):—etc. See bakula.
2) Vākula (वाकुल):—See bākula.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryVakula (वकुल):—(laḥ) 1. m. A plant, (mimusops elengi). f. (lī) A drug Kākolī.
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusVakula (ವಕುಲ):—
1) [noun] the large, evergreen tree Mimusops elengi of Sapotaceae family.
2) [noun] its flower.
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Vakuḷa (ವಕುಳ):—[noun] = ವಕುಷ್ಟಕ [vakushtaka].
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryVakula (वकुल):—n. → बकुल [bakula]
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+1): Vakuladi, Vakuladi, Vakuladitaila, Vakuladitaila, Vakuladya, Vakuladya, Vakuladyataila, Vakuladyataila, Vakulai, Vakulam, Vakulamalinigitaparinaya, Vakulaparanam, Vakulaparanar, Vakulaparna, Vakulappaccai, Vakulappikam, Vakulapuppha, Vakulapushanar, Vakulasthi, Vakulataila.
Full-text (+42): Bakula, Vakulam, Vakkula, Vakulapushanar, Vakulapuppha, Kakkula, Bakkula, Vakulaparanar, Vakul, Vatkula, Dantadhavana, Vakulaparna, Vakuladi, Gudhapushpaka, Kukula, Cirapushpa, Strimukhamadhudohada, Vakulasthi, Makula, Sixteen arhats.
Relevant text
Search found 51 books and stories containing Vakula, Vaka-ula, Vakulā, Vākula, Vakuḷa; (plurals include: Vakulas, ulas, Vakulās, Vākulas, Vakuḷas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Avadāna of Bakkula < [III. Recollection of the community (saṃgānusmṛti)]
Satirical works of Kshemendra (study) (by Arpana Devi)
2. Kavisamaya or the poetic convention < [Chapter 4 - Literary study of the Three Satirical Works]
Tirumantiram by Tirumular (English translation)
Verse 1003: Flowers for Archana (Worship with Flowers) < [Tantra Four (nankam tantiram) (verses 884-1418)]
A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 3 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)
Yāmuna (Introduction) < [Chapter XIX - The Philosophy of Yāmunācārya]
The backdrop of the Srikanthacarita and the Mankhakosa (by Dhrubajit Sarma)
Part 6 - Kavisamaya or the poetic convention < [Chapter III - Literary Assessment Of The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]
Part 5 - Śrīkaṇṭhacarita - Summary of contents < [Chapter II - The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Page 125 < [Volume 19 (1915)]