Vrika, Vṛka, Vṛkā: 27 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Hindi
4. Kannada
See also

Introduction:

Vrika means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi. 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 Vṛka and Vṛkā can be transliterated into English as Vrka or Vrika, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Vrak.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)

Source: Shodhganga: Portrayal of Animal Kingdom (Tiryaks) in Epics An Analytical study

Vṛka (वृक) refers to the Wolf (Canis lupus), according to scientific texts such as the Mṛgapakṣiśāstra (Mriga-pakshi-shastra) or “the ancient Indian science of animals and birds” by Hamsadeva, containing the varieties and descriptions of the animals and birds seen in the Sanskrit Epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Vṛka (वृक) refers to the “wolf” and is mentioned as one of the sworn enemies of Snakes (Sarpas), as taught in 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 (Agadatantra or Sarpavidyā).—The Kāśyapasaṃhitā (verse IV.33) talks about the sworn enemies of Sarpas (snakes): Boar, lightning, peacock, eagle, cat, mongoose and wolf (vṛka) are its sworn enemies.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

Vṛka (वृक) is a Sanskrit word referring to the animal “wolf”. The meat of this animal is part of the māṃsavarga (‘group of flesh’), which is used throughout Ayurvedic literature. The animal Vṛka is part of the sub-group named prasaha, refering to animals “who take their food by snatching”. It was classified by Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Ayurvedic work. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic properties of the substance.

Source: archive.org: Sushruta samhita, Volume I

Vṛka (वृक)—Sanskrit word for the animal “wolf”. This animal is from the group called Guhāśaya (‘which have a lair’, or, ‘cave-dwelling mammals’). Guhāśaya itself is a sub-group of the group of animals known as Jāṅghala (living in high ground and in a jungle).

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Bhagavata Purana

Vṛka (वृक):—Son of Bharuka (son of Vijaya, who was the son of Sudeva). He had a son named Bāhuka. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.8.2)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

1) Vṛka (वृक).—A son born to Dhṛṣṭaketu, the king of Kekaya by his wife Dūrvā. (Bhāgavata, Skandha 9).

2) Vṛka (वृक).—A son of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. born by his wife Mitravindā. (Bhāgavata, Skandha 10).

3) Vṛka (वृक).—An asura. This asura wanted to bring the Devas under his control. "How to achieve it? The only way is to please one of the three god-heads." The asura saw Nārada and asked him which of the three god-heads could easily be pleased. Nārada replied that it was Śiva. Vṛka resolved to please Śiva and began to do penance. He cut each of his organs and offered it in the fire as oblation. At last when Vṛkāsura was beginning to cut his head to offer it in fire, Śiva made his appearance, and asked him what his wish was. The boon he requested for, was that any one whose head he touched with his finger should die instantly. Śiva granted that boon.

The asura decided to try the boon, on the giver himself first. Terrified at this, Śiva began to run. The asura chased him. At last Śiva sought protection from Viṣṇu. Assuming the form of a boy, Mahāviṣṇu stood on the way and stopped Vṛkāsura, who was running after Śiva. The boy asked him why he was running. The asura told the boy everything. Then the boy laughed and said "Oh! Asura! What Śiva said was a lie. He has no divine power now. He was making fun of you. Not an ant would die by the touch of your fingers. You just try on your head and see for yourself." Hearing this the asura became dejected. He thought what the boy said was true. The poor creature touched his own head with his finger. The moment he touched his head, he fell down dead. (Bhāgavata, Skandha 10). This story has similarity with that of Bhasmāsura. (See under Bhasmāsura).

4) Vṛka (वृक).—A king. It is stated in Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva, Chapter 185, Stanza 10, that this king had been present at the Svayaṃvara (marriage) of Draupadī. Mention is made in Mahābhārata, Karṇa Parva, Chapter 25, Stanza 16, that this king was killed by a mountain King in the battle of Bhārata.

5) Vṛka (वृक).—A warrior who fought on the side of the Pāṇḍavas. He was killed by the teacher Droṇa in the battle of Bhārata. (Mahābhārata Droṇa Parva, Chapter 21, Stanza 16).

6) Vṛka (वृक).—An ancient King who was a pure vegetarian. (Mahābhārata Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 115, Stanza 63).

7) Vṛka (वृक).—One of the sons born to Śūra by his wife Māriṣā. Vṛka married Dūrvākṣī. Two sons named Takṣa and Puṣkara were born to the couple. (Bhāgavata Skandha 9).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Vṛka (वृक).—A son of Pṛthu and Arcis: was entrusted with the western part of the kingdom by his elder brother.^*

* Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. 22. 54; 24. 2.

1b) An Asura who followed Vṛtra against Indra; a son of Hiraṇyākṣa.^*

* Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 10. [20]; VII. 2. 18.

1c) A son of Bharuka and father of Bāhuka.^*

* Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 8. 2.

1d) A son of Devamīḍha and Māriṣā; married Durvārkṣī and had Takṣa and other sons.^*

* Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 24. 29 and 43.

1e) A son of Vatsaka and Miśrakeśī.^*

* Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 24. 43.

1f) A son of Kṛṣṇa and Mitravindā.^*

* Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 61. 16.

1g) A son of Śakuni and an Asura; met Nārada who advised him to perform tapas in honour of Śiva. He did so by cutting his own flesh for six days and on the seventh was about to cut off his head when Śiva appeared and blessed that whosesoever head he touched that person should die. He attempted it on Śiva who ran to Vaikuṇṭha. Hari in the form of a Brahmacārin asked him to try the boon on himself. The wicked Asura did so and met with his death.^*

* Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 88. 13-36.

1h) A son of Kṛṣṇa and Satyā (Mādrī, Viṣṇu-purāṇa).^*

* Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 90. 33; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 71. 252; Viṣṇu-purāṇa V. 32. 4.

1i) Sonless, adopted Saumi and Kauśika.^*

* Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 71. 192.

1j) A Vānara chief.^*

* Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 242; 51. 11.

1k) A son of Ruruka and father of Bāhu.^*

* Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 63. 119; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 3. 25-6.

1l) A son of Śūra.^*

* Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 71. 149.

1m) A son of Śiṣṭa.^*

* Matsya-purāṇa 4. 39.

1n) A son of Rohita.^*

* Matsya-purāṇa 12. 38.

1o) A son of Chāyā and Puṣṭi (Sṛṣti, Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa).^*

* Vāyu-purāṇa 62. 83; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 36. 98.

1p) One of the sons of Nāganajit.^*

* Vāyu-purāṇa 96. 243.

2) Vṛkā (वृका).—A Janapada.^*

* Vāyu-purāṇa 45. 111.

Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Vṛka (वृक) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.177.9) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Vṛka) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

Vṛka (वृक) is the son of Kuruka and grandson of Vijaya, according to the Vaṃśānucarita section of the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, [...] Dṛḍhāśva’s son was Hariścandra and Rohita was the son of Hariścandra. Dhundhu was the son of Rohita. Dhundhu had two sons—Sudeva and Vijaya. Kuruka was born to Vijaya. Vṛka was born of Kuruka, and from Vṛka was born Bāhu.

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.

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: Prācyā: Animals and animal products as reflected in Smṛti texts

Vṛka (वृक) refers to the animal “Wolf” (Canis lupus).—The Smṛtis mention several domestic as well as wild animals that are enumerated in context of specifying expiation for killing them, the flesh being used as a dietary article to give satisfaction to the Manes (Pitṛs) in Śrāddha rites, the law of transmigration due to various sins committed as well as in the context of specifying gifts to be given on various occasions. These animals [viz., Vṛka] are chiefly mentioned in the Manusmṛti, Parāśarasmṛti [Chap.6], Gautamasmṛti [17.2 and 15.1], Śātātapasmṛti [II.45-54], Uśānasmṛti [IX.7-9; IX.12-13], Yājñavalkyasmṛti [I.170-171; I.175; I.258- 260], Viṣṇusmṛti [51.3;51.6;51.26;51.33;80.3-14], Uttarāṅgirasasmṛti [X.15-17], Prajāpatismṛti [Śrāddhatyājyavastuvarṇanam. 138-143], 9 Kāśyapasmṛti [Section on Prāyaścittavarṇanam], Vṛddha Hārītasmṛti [6.253-255] and Kātyāyanasmṛti [27.11].

context information

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.

Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)

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

Vṛka (वृक) refers to “wolves” (which were commonly the victim of hunters), 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, “Hunting on horseback (āśvina) represents one of the eight subdivisions of Hunting (mṛgayā). [...] It leads to the acquisition of religious merit, by killing ferocious animals such as wolves (vṛka) and tigers, by the protection of standing crop, by the slaughter of stags and other animals, by an inspection of the forest, which serves so many useful purposes, by frightening the thieves, and by conciliating forest tribes. [...]”.

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Hinduism

Vṛka (वृक) is a Sanskrit word referring to a “wolf”. (also see vṛkī, ‘she-wolf’)

Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and Subjects

1) Vṛka (वृक, ‘wolf’) is mentioned frequently in the Rigveda, and also later. It was an enemy of sheep and of calves, being dangerous even to men. Its colour is stated to be reddish (aruṇa). The ‘she-wolf’, Vṛkī, is also mentioned several times in the Rigveda.

2) Vṛka (वृक) in two passages of the Rigveda denotes ‘plough’.

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Vrika (व्रिक).—A Panchala prince who fell in battle.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Vṛka (वृक) refers to “(the outer suffering of) the wolf”, as mentioned in the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XXXI in the section called “four foundations of mindfulness (smṛtyupasthāna)”.—Accordingly:—“[...] there are two kinds of suffering (duḥkha): inner suffering and outer suffering. [...] Outer suffering (bāhyaduḥkha) is of two types: i) the king (rājan), the victorious enemy (vijetṛ), the wicked thief (caura), the lion (siṃha), tiger (vyāghra), wolf (vṛka), snake (sarpa) and other nuisances (viheṭhana); ii) the wind (vāta), rain (vṛṣṭi), cold (śīta), heat (uṣna), thunder (meghagarjita), lightning (vidyut), thunderbolts, etc: these two kinds of suffering are outer suffering”.

context information

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

vṛka (वृक).—m S A wolf.

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

vṛka (वृक).—m A wolf.

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.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Vṛka (वृक).—[Uṇādi-sūtra 3.41]

1) A wolf; पापारम्भकयोर्मृगीव वृकयोर्भीरुर्गता गोचरम् (pāpārambhakayormṛgīva vṛkayorbhīrurgatā gocaram) Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 5.24.

2) A hyena.

3) A jackal.

4) A crow.

5) An owl.

6) A robber.

7) A Kṣatriya.

8) Turpentine.

9) A compound perfume, a mixture of various fragrant articles.

1) Name of a demon.

11) Name of a tree (bakavṛkṣa).

12) Name of a fire in the stomach.

13) A plough.

14) The moon; Nir.5.2.

15) The sun; Nir.5.21.

Derivable forms: vṛkaḥ (वृकः).

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

Vṛka (वृक).—m.

(-kaḥ) 1. A wolf. 2. A crow. 3. The Vaka-pushpa tree, (Sesbana grandiflora.) 4. A jackal. 5. A hyena. 6. A rat, a mouse. 7. A Kshetriya. 8. Name of a demon. 9. Name of a fire in the stomach. 10. Turpentine. 11. Compounded perfume. f.

(-kā) A plant, (Cissampelos hexandra.) E. vṛk to take, aff. ka; or vṛ to hide or screen, Unadi aff. kak .

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

Vṛka (वृक).—perhaps akin to vraśc, I. m. 1. A wolf, [Pañcatantra] 19, 13. 2. A crow. 3. A jackal. 4. Turpentine. 5. Compounded perfume. 6. A tree. Sesbana grandiflora. Ii. f. kā, A plant, Cissampelos hexandra.

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

Vṛka (वृक).—[adjective] tearing, harming (cf. avṛka). [masculine] (the tearer, either) wolf or plough, [Name] of an Asura etc.; [feminine] vṛkī a she-wolf.

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

1) Vṛka (वृक):—[from vṛk] m. ([probably] ‘the tearer’ connected with √vraśc, cf. vṛkṇa), a wolf, [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc. ([cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] also ‘a dog; a jackal; a crow; an owl; a thief; a Kṣatriya’)

2) [v.s. ...] a plough, [Ṛg-veda i, 117, 21; viii, 22, 6]

3) [v.s. ...] a thunderbolt, [Naighaṇṭuka, commented on by Yāska ii, 20]

4) [v.s. ...] the moon, [Nirukta, by Yāska v, 20]

5) [v.s. ...] the sun, [ib. 21]

6) [v.s. ...] a kind of plant (= baka), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

7) [v.s. ...] the resin of Pinus Longifolia, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

8) [v.s. ...] Name of an Asura, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]

9) [v.s. ...] of a son of Kṛṣṇa, [ib.]

10) [v.s. ...] of a king, [Mahābhārata]

11) [v.s. ...] of a son of Ruruka (or Bharuka), [Harivaṃśa; Bhāgavata-purāṇa]

12) [v.s. ...] of a son of Pṛthu, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]

13) [v.s. ...] of a son of Śūra, [ib.]

14) [v.s. ...] of a son of Vatsaka, [ib.]

15) [v.s. ...] ([plural]) Name of a people and a country (belonging to Madhya-deśa), [Mahābhārata; Purāṇa] (cf. vārkeṇya)

16) Vṛkā (वृका):—[from vṛka > vṛk] f. a kind of plant (= ambaṣṭhā), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

17) Vṛka (वृक):—[from vṛk] cf. [Greek] λύκος; [Latin] lupus; [Slavonic or Slavonian] vlŭkŭ; [Lithuanian] vílas; [Gothic] wulfs; [German] [English] wolf

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

Vṛka (वृक):—(kaḥ) 1. m. A wolf, a jackal, a crow, vakapushpa tree; turpentine, a perfume. f. A plant, Cissampelos hexandra.

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

Vṛka (वृक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Vaya, Via.

[Sanskrit to German]

Vrika 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.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Vṛka (वृक) [Also spelled vrak]:—(nm) a wolf.

context information

...

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Vṛka (ವೃಕ):—

1) [noun] any of various wild canines (esp. genera Vulpes or Urocyon) with bushy tails and, commonly, reddish-brown or gray fur; a fox.

2) [noun] any of several wild dogs mostly yellowish-gray in colour and smaller than the wolf; a jackal.

3) [noun] any of a genus (Corvus, family Corvidae) of large, nonmigratory passerine birds with glossy black plumage and a typical harsh call; a crow.

4) [noun] any of an order (Strigiformes) of predatory night birds distinguished by a large, flat face, eyes surrounded by stiff-feathered disks, a short, hooked beak, feathered legs with sharp talons, and soft plumage which permits noiseless flight; an owl.

5) [noun] (astron.) a southern constellation near the Milky Way between Centaurus and Scorpius; the Lupus; the Wolf.

context information

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

Relevant text

Search found 48 books and stories containing Vrika, Vṛka, Vṛkā, Vrka; (plurals include: Vrikas, Vṛkas, Vṛkās, Vrkas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Rig Veda 1.105.11 < [Sukta 105]

Rig Veda 7.38.7 < [Sukta 38]

Rig Veda 10.95.14 < [Sukta 95]

+ 25 more chapters / show preview

Verse 5.1.24 < [Chapter 1 - Advice to Kaṃsa]

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Part 14 - Vajranamani (Vajra Nama) < [Chapter 4 - Second Adhyaya (chapter) of the Nighantu (study)]

Fourth Adhyaya (chapter) of the Nighantu (study)

Appendix

+ 1 more chapters / show preview

Chapter 230 - Vṛka’s Conquest of Indra’s Kingdom < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]

Chapter 231 - Importance of Ekādaśī Vrata < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]