Valhika, Vālhīka, Valhīka: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Valhika means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)
Vālhīka (वाल्हीक) is another name for Hiṅgu, a medicinal plant identified with either (1) Ferula nerthex Boiss, or (2) Ferula foetida Regel., from the Apiaceae or “parsley” family of flowering plants, according to verse 6.72-74 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu.—The sixth chapter (pippalyādi-varga) of this book enumerates ninety-five varieties of plants obtained from the market (paṇyauṣadhi). Together with the names Vālhīka and Hiṅgu, there are a total of sixteen Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Vālhīka (वाल्हीक) is another name (synonym) for Hiṅgu, which is a Sanskrit name for the plant Ferula assa-foetida (asafoetida). This synonym was identified by Narahari in his 13th-century Rājanighaṇṭu (verses 6.72-75), which is an Ayurvedic medicinal thesaurus.
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.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Vālhīka (वाल्हीक) is the name of a country pertaining to the Pāñcālī (Pāñcālamadhyamā) local usage (pravṛtti) according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 14. These pravṛttis provide information regarding costumes, languages, and manners in different countries of the world. It is mentioned that this local usage (adopted by these countries) depends on the grand style (sāttvatī) and the violent style (ārabhaṭī).
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).
Kavya (poetry)
Vālhīka (वाल्हीक) is the name a locality mentioned in Rājaśekhara’s 10th-century Kāvyamīmāṃsā.—In the Rāmāyaṇa, this region between Bias and Sutlej, north of Kekaya. According to the Mahābhārata (karna. Ch-44) Baihikas living in Balkh are foreigners who invaded into India. They had Sakala or Sialkot as their capital which was to the west of the Ravi. In the Kātyayaṇa derivation of this word from ‚ििhas‛. Bahikas were contemptuous in the public eye and were compared as cows. C.f. ‚िाhīko gauिḥ‛
Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Vālhīka (वाल्हीक) is the name of an ancient kingdom, according to chapter 4.2 [vāsupūjya-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly, as Vasupūjya and Jayā spoke to Vāsupūjya:—“All the existing kings, among men and the Vidyādharas, who are of good family, capable, heroic, wealthy, famous, possessing the fourfold army, known for guarding their subjects, free from blemish, faithful to engagements, always devoted to dharma, in Madhyadeśa, Vatsadeśa, [...] and also [... the Vālhīkas, ...] and other realms in the north. [...] These now, son, beg us constantly through messengers, who are sent bearing valuable gifts, to give their daughters to you. [...]”.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Valhika in India is the name of a plant defined with Crocus sativus in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Geanthus autumnalis Raf. (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Nomenclator Botanicus (1840)
· Gardeners Dictionary, ed. 8 (1768)
· Fl. Ital. (1860)
· Gard. Chron. (1879)
· Irid. Gen. (1827)
· Illustrations of the Botany of the Himalayan Mountains (1834)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Valhika, for example chemical composition, health benefits, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, side effects, extract dosage, have a look at these references.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Valhika (वल्हिक) or Valhīka (वल्हीक).—See बल्हिक, बल्हीक (balhika, balhīka).
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Pravalhika, Trigarttaka, Valhi, Vahika, Dakshikantha, Hingu, Janamejaya, Balhika.
Relevant text
Search found 14 books and stories containing Valhika, Vālhīka, Valhīka, Valhikas; (plurals include: Valhikas, Vālhīkas, Valhīkas, Valhikases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section CLVI < [Ghatotkacha-badha Parva]
Section XCV < [Jayadratha-Vadha Parva]
Section CIII < [Bhagavat-Gita Parva]
Important medicinal plants of jammu and kashmir i. kesar (saffron) < [Volume 5 (issue 1), Jul-Sep 1985]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 167 < [Volume 3 (1874)]
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Part 7: Refusal to marry < [Chapter II - Vāsupūjyacaritra]
Narada Purana (English translation) (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 56.40 - Kūrmavibhāga (Division of the Globe) < [Part 2 - Pūrva-bhāga: Dvitīya-pāda]
Brahma Purana (critical study) (by Surabhi H. Trivedi)