Vasaka, aka: Vāsaka, Vaśakā, Vāśaka, Vashaka; 8 Definition(s)

Introduction

Vasaka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, 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.

The Sanskrit terms Vaśakā and Vāśaka can be transliterated into English as Vasaka or Vashaka, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Vāsaka (वासक, “perfuming”):—Another name for Vāsā, a medicinal plant (Adhatoda vasica) used in the treatment of fever (jvara), as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) which is part of the Mādhavacikitsā, a Sanskrit classical work on Āyurveda.

Ayurveda also extracts drugs from the Vasaka (adusa) shrub, which regulate excessive menstrual flow. In Sanskrit botany this modest shrub is named Lion’s Muzzle and Stallion’s Tooth, after the shape and white colour of its flower. Ayurvedic physicians now regard vasaka as the rival of ashoka in its value to women. The Sanskrit word vasaka means ‘little dweller’ or ‘protector of the dwelling place’.

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.

Nāṭyaśāstra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Vāsaka (वासक).—The meeting of women by the king for “conjugal union” (vāsaka) should take place at night. The following six are reasons for the vāsaka (“conjugal union”):

1. scheduled order (paripāṭī),
2. desire for progeny (phala),
3. newness of relation (navatva),
4. birth of a child (prasava),
5. time of sorrow (duḥkha)
6. time of joy (pramoda).

Conjugal union being due, kings should go to the bed-chamber of a wife even if she may be in her menses and may not be his favourite.

context information

Nāṭyaśāstra (नाट्यशास्त्र, natya-shastra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition of performing arts, (e.g., 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 (nāṭya) and poetic works (kāvya).

In Buddhism

Pali

Vāsaka, vāsika (adj.) (-°) (fr. vāsa²) living, dwelling; vāsaka: see saṃ°. vāsika: gāma° villager Mhvs 28, 15; Bārāṇasi° living in Benares J. III, 49. See also ante°. (Page 610)

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.

India history and geogprahy

Vāsaka (वासक) mountain under the Prakrit name Vasaa is mentioned in Pādāna Rock inscription. Pandit Bhagvanlal Indraji thinks that Vāsaka is the original name of the Padana hill, about seven miles north of Bombay, eighteen miles south of Sopara and three miles north-east of Goregaon station on the Western Railway. Padana hill was also called Musalaka due to a sage of that name, who lived on its top.

Vāsaka (वासक) refers to a name-ending for place-names mentioned in the Gupta inscriptions (reigned from 3rd century CE). Vāsaka means an abode or inhabitation. An inhabitation can be big or small. In referring to a big inhabitation it denotes a city.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as 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

Marathi-English dictionary

vasakā (वसका).—& vasakaṇēṃ Preferably vacakā & vacakaṇēṃ.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Vaśakā (वशका).—An obedient wife.

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Vāśaka (वाशक).—a. Roaring, sounding.

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Vāsaka (वासक).—a. (-kā or -sikā f.) [वास्-वस्-णिच् वा ण्वुल् (vās-vas-ṇic vā ṇvul)]

1) Scenting, perfuming, infusing, fumigating &c.

2) Causing to dwell, populating.

-kaḥ Scent.

-kā (also vāsikā)

1) An abode, habitation.

2) A bed-chamber.

-kam Clothes.

Relevant definitions

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