Vetasa: 22 definitions
Introduction:
Vetasa means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi, 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)
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgrahaVetasa (वेतस) refers to the medicinal plant known as “Homonoia riparia Lour.” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes.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 vetasa] 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).
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha ChikitsaVetasa (वेतस) 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: “The bite victim can be given a paste made out of the bark of Vetasa, Arjuna, the shell of Suraṭha and jaggery. A measure of the combination of powdered Vega, Phalgu and Palāśa can be used internally as a drink and externally as ointment”.
Agriculture (Krishi) and Vrikshayurveda (study of Plant life)
Source: Shodhganga: Drumavichitrikarnam—Plant mutagenesis in ancient IndiaVetasa (वेतस) (identified with Calamus rotang) is used in various bio-organical recipes for plant mutagenesis such as changing plants into creepers, according to the Vṛkṣāyurveda by Sūrapāla (1000 CE): an encyclopedic work dealing with the study of trees and the principles of ancient Indian agriculture.—Accordingly, “A seed of the Limonia acidissima should be cultured hundred times with milk boiled along with the roots of Emblica officinalis, Acorus calamus, Terminalia chebula, Aspota (?), Aśmapānā (?), Calamus rotang [e.g., Vetasa], Dalbergia sissoo, Leptadenia reticulata, Hiptage benghalensis and Butea superba for over a month and then should be sown in a pit keeping in water mixed with clarified butter, and flesh of the boar. Thereafter, the pit should be filled with good quality soil measuring four fingers in thickness and then it should be watered with the decoction of Hordeum vulgare, Vigna mungo, Sesamum indicum, honey, fish and flesh. The seed then grows into a creeper without fail”.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany1) Vetasa (वेतस) is a Sanskrit word referring to Salix caprea (goat willow), a plant species in the Salicaceae family. Certain plant parts of Vetasa are eaten as a vegetable (śāka), according to Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Ayurvedic work. The plant is therefore part of the Śākavarga group of medicinal plants, referring to the “group of vegetables/pot-herbs”. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic value of the plant.
According to the Rājanighaṇṭu (verse 9.106), goat willow (vetasa) has 7 synonyms: Nicula, Vañjula, Dīrghapatraka, Kalana, Mañjarīnamra, Suṣeṇa and Gandhapuṣpaka.
Properties: Vetasa is pungent and sweet. It is cooling and alleviates the effects of bad spirits. It vitiates pitta and is appetizer. It is very good digestive stimulant. It cures the diseases due to rakta-pitta and kuṣṭha (leprosy and allied skin diseases).
Botanical description: Vetasa is a medium sized tree, growing 10-30 ft. in height. It is found in Kashmir, Persia, Iran and the North-West Frontier Provinces. The plant grows near water and its yellowish red flowered, drooping infloresence presents a beautful look to the river banks.
2) Vetasa (वेतस) is a Sanskrit word referring to the Calamus viminalis (rattan cane), a palm tree from the Arecaceae family of flowering plants. The word is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā and the Suśruta-saṃhitā. It is a climbing palm with pale yellow fruits (about 0.5 cm across) resembling small, pointed cones, arranged in a raceme. These are known commonly known as “canella berries”. The Sanskrit word Vetasa is derived from Veta or Vetra, meaning “cane” or “reed”. In a different context, Vetasa can mean “ a lancet shaped like the ratan-leaf”.

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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Google Books: Muhurtha: (Electional Astrology)Varahamihira says that if one sees a Vetasa (Calamus viminalis) plant in a waterlass tract, one can find water by digging the ground at a distance of 3 cubits to the west of it, half a purusa (about 3 1/2, feet) below the earth. Soil conditions are influenced by climatic factors which in their turn have reference to planetary radiations. Therefore when wells are dug under favourable planetary conditions, a plentiful supply of water is expected without much expense.

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)Vetasa (वेतस) is classified as a “usable tree” which should be saved from being cut (for the purpose of gathering wood materials for Temple construction), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, the architect is suggested to go to the forest to collect appropriate wood for temples in an auspicious day after taking advice from an astrologer. [...] Here, the eco-friendly suggestions of Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa are seen to protect the greenery and to balance a pollution free environment. [...] The text gives importance in saving the usable trees and that is why the trees [viz., Vetasa, etc.] are advised not to be cut as these trees and their fruits are very essential for livelihood.

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and SubjectsVetasa (वेतस) is the name of the water plant Calamus Rotang, or a similar reed, in the Rigveda1 and later. It is called ‘golden’ (hiraṇyaya) and ‘water-born’ (apsuja).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism1) Vetasa (वेतस) is the name of the caitya-tree under which the parents of Nemi are often depicted in Jaina iconography, according to the Śvetāmbara tradition. According to the Digambara tradition the tree is known as Meṣaśṛṅga. The term caitya refers to “sacred shrine”, an important place of pelgrimage and meditation in Jainism. Sculptures with such caitya-trees generally shows a male and a female couple seated under a tree with the female having a child on her lap. Usually there is a seated Jina figure on top of the tree.
Nemi is the twenty-second of twenty-four tīrthaṅkaras: enlightened beings who, having conquered saṃsāra (cycle of birth and death), leave a path behind for others to follow. His father is Samudravijaya and his mother is Śivādevī, according to the Ācāradinakara (14th century work on Jain conduct written by Vardhamāna Sūri).
2) Vetasa (वेतस) refers to the caityavṛkṣa (sacred-tree) associated with the Udadhi or Udadhikumāra class of the bhavanavāsin species of Devas (gods), according to Jain cosmology. They are defined according to the cosmological texts, such as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition, or the Trilokasāra in the Digambara tradition.
Source: archive.org: The Jaina IconographyVetasa (वेतस) or Mahāveṇu is the Kevala-tree of Neminātha: the twenty-second of twenty-four Tīrthaṃkaras or Jinas, commonly depicted in Jaina iconography.—Neminātha’s emblem is known to be a conch-shell from the Jaina canonical texts. The Śāsana-devatās who attend upon him are Yakṣa Gomedha and Yakṣiṇī Ambikā (Digambara: and Kuṣmāṇḍinī). The Chowri-bearer, in his case, is King Ugrasena. His Kevala-tree is called Mahāveṇu or Vetasa.

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)
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)1) Vetasa in India is the name of a plant defined with Calamus extensus in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices.
2) Vetasa is also identified with Calamus rotang It has the synonym Palmijuncus monoecus (Roxb.) Kuntze (etc.).
3) Vetasa is also identified with Calamus tenuis It has the synonym Palmijuncus heliotropium Kuntze (etc.).
4) Vetasa is also identified with Salix caprea.
5) Vetasa is also identified with Salix tetrasperma It has the synonym Pleiarina tetrasperma (Roxb.) N. Chao & G.T. Gong (etc.).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Revisio Generum Plantarum (1891)
· Hortus Bengalensis, or ‘a Catalogue of the Plants Growing in the Hounourable East India Company's Botanical Garden at Calcutta’ (1814)
· Proceedings of the Indian Science Congress Association (1976)
· Flora Indica, or ‘Descriptions of Indian Plants’ ed. 1832 (1832)
· Plants of the Coast of Coromandel (1795)
· Alsographia Americana (1838)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Vetasa, for example health benefits, diet and recipes, chemical composition, extract dosage, pregnancy safety, side effects, 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
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryvetasa : (m.) the rattan reed.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryVetasa, (Vedic vetasa) the ratan reed, Calamus rotang J. V, 167; SnA 451. (Page 647)

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
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryvētasa (वेतस).—m S A ratan, Calamus rotang or verus.
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.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryVetasa (वेतस).—[aj-asun tukca vībhāvaḥ Uṇādi-sūtra 3.118]
1) The ratan, reed, cane; यद्वेतसः कुब्जलीलां विडम्बयति स किमात्मनः प्रभावेण ननु नदीवेगस्य (yadvetasaḥ kubjalīlāṃ viḍambayati sa kimātmanaḥ prabhāveṇa nanu nadīvegasya) Ś.2; अविलम्बितमेधि वेतसस्तरुवन्माधव मा स्म भज्यथाः (avilambitamedhi vetasastaruvanmādhava mā sma bhajyathāḥ) Śiśupālavadha 16.53; R.9.75.
2) The citron.
3) Name of Agni.
-amlaḥ Rumex Vesicarius (Mar. cukā).
Derivable forms: vetasaḥ (वेतसः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryVetasa (वेतस).—mf. (-saḥ-sī) 1. The ratan, (Calamus rotang.) 2. The citron. E. veñ to sew or weave, Unadi aff. asac, tuk augment.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryVetasa (वेतस).—[ve + tas + a], m. The ratan, Calamus rotang, [Nala] 12, 112; Vāmanap. ap. Aufrecht, Ujjvalad. 251, n.
— Cf. [Old High German.] wīda; [Anglo-Saxon.] widhig; [Latin] vitex, vitis;
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryVetasa (वेतस).—[masculine] [feminine] ī the ratan, a kind of large reed.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Vetasa (वेतस):—m. (cf. veta and vetra) the ratan (Calamus Rotang) or a similar kind of cane, a reed, rod, stick, [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.
2) the citron (Citrus Medica), [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]
3) Name of Agni, [ib.]
4) n. a lancet shaped like a pointed leaf of the ratan, [Vāgbhaṭālaṃkāra]
5) Name of a city, [Kathāsaritsāgara]
6) cf. [according to] to some, [Greek] ἰτέα; [Latin] vitis; [German] wīda, Weide; [English] withy.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryVetasa (वेतस):—[(saḥ-sī)] 1. m. 3. f. The ratan.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Vetasa (वेतस) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Veasa, Veḍasa.
[Sanskrit to German]
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 corpusVētasa (ವೇತಸ):—[noun] the rattan Calamus rotang of Arecaceae family; water rattan.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Vetasacarman, Vetasagriha, Vetasah, Vetasaka, Vetasakiya, Vetasamalin, Vetasamaya, Vetasamla, Vetasaparikshipta, Vetasapatra, Vetasapatraka, Vetasapattra, Vetasapushpa, Vetasari, Vetasashakha, Vetasavana, Vetasavritti.
Full-text (+70): Amlavetasa, Ambuvetasa, Vetasavritti, Vetasapatra, Jalavetasa, Vetasagriha, Vaitasa, Manjarinamra, Bhurivetasa, Vetasah, Vetasini, Vetasaka, Vetasashakha, Vetasaparikshipta, Vetasapushpa, Vetasamalin, Vetasamaya, Pancavalkala, Vanjula, Viravetasa.
Relevant text
Search found 48 books and stories containing Vetasa, Vētasa; (plurals include: Vetasas, Vētasas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Page 69 < [Volume 7 (1909)]
Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter CXCVI - Therapeutic properties of drugs < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
Chapter CXCIV - Medical treatments of Sinus etc < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
Chapter CCXXVII - Different names of the Ayurvedic Drugs < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Minerals (uparasa) (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 3 - Preparations of Hingula < [Chapter XXIII - Uparasa (23): Hingula (cinnabar)]
Some less known central nervous system depressant < [Volume 23 (issue 1), Jul-Sep 2003]
Pharmaco – therapeutics of dasemani drugs < [Volume 3 (issue 3), Jan-Mar 1984]
MEDICINAL PLANT WEALTH OF ANDHRA PRADESH – Part II < [Volume 7 (issue 1), Jul-Sep 1987]
Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study) (by A. Yamuna Devi)
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