Bakula, Bākula: 25 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
1. Purana
2. Ayurveda
3. Shaktism
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
In Jainism
1. General definition
India history
Biology
Languages
1. Pali
2. Marathi
3. Sanskrit
4. Kannada
See also
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Introduction:

Bakula means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, 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.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Bhavishya-purana

Bakula (बकुल):—The consequences of using various flowers in worship, (e.g. bakula flowers) leads to the acquisition of a beautiful daughter, according to the Bhaviṣya-purāṇa (brahmaparva, 197:1-11)

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.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)

Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval India

Bakula (बकुल) refers to Mimusops elengi, the fruit of which is mentioned in a list of potential causes for indigestion in the 17th century Bhojanakutūhala (dravyaguṇāguṇa-kathana), and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—A complete section in Bhojanakutūhala is devoted for the description of agents that cause indigestion [viz., fruit of bakula (Mimusops elengi)]. These agents consumed on a large scale can cause indigestion for certain people. The remedies [viz., bākulabīja (Mimusops elengi) or jīraka (cumin seed)] for these types of indigestions are also explained therewith.

The fruit of Bakula [viz., bakulaphala] is also mentioned as a remedy for indigestion caused by ḍaḍima (pomegranate) or āmalaka (gooseberry) or tāla (palm fruit) or tinduki (Diospyros embryopteris) or bījapūra (citron) or fruit of lavalī (averrhoa acida).

The seed of Bākula (बाकुल) [viz., bākulabīja] is also mentioned as a remedy for indigestion caused by the fruit of Bakula [viz., bakulaphala].

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Bakula (बकुल) [=vakula?] is the name of an ingredient used in the treatment of Rājilā-snake-bites, 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).—The tenth Adhyāya prescribes antidotes for Rājilā snake venom.—According to the Kāśyapasaṃhitā verse X.9cd-11: “Bhasma or ash/powder of dry ginger and Vandāka made into a tablet or Gulikā with salt and jaggery and smelt by nose is also recommended. Two of these tablets mixed with Trikaṭu, shell of Vakula (bakula-asthi) and root of Dakṣiṇāvarta tree and milk can be prescribed as both Pāna and Nasya”.

Agriculture (Krishi) and Vrikshayurveda (study of Plant life)

Source: Shodhganga: Drumavichitrikarnam—Plant mutagenesis in ancient India

Bakula (बकुल) (identified with Mimusops elengi) is used in various bio-organical recipes for plant mutagenesis such as manipulating the scent of flowers, 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, “All types of flowering plants produce excellent fragrance if earth strongly scented by their own flowers is filled around the base (of the trees) and then fed with water mixed with Cyperus rotundus, Erythrina stricta, and Valeriana wallichii leaves. The same treatment used in the evening at their blossoming time along with fat, milk, blood and water extract of Saussurea lappa intensifies the natural fragrance of the blossoms of Calophyllum inophyllum, Mesua ferrea, Mimusops elengi [e.g., Bakula], etc.”.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Google Books: Essentials of Ayurveda

Bakula (बकुल).—The Sanskrit name for an important Ayurvedic drug.—The plant bears flowers having alcoholic flavour. It is useful in the diseases of mouth and teeth.

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Bakula (बकुल) refers to one of the thirty-six sacred trees, according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “According to the Kula teaching (these) [i.e., Bakula] are the most excellent Kula trees that give accomplishments and liberation. (They are full of) Yoginīs, Siddhas, Lords of the Heroes and hosts of gods and demons. One should not touch them with one’s feet or urinate and defecate on them or have sex etc. below them. One should not cut etc. or burn them. Having worshipped and praised them regularly with their own flowers and shoots, one should always worship the Śrīkrama with devotion with their best fruits and roots. [...]”.

Source: Addaiyan Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Tantra Literature of Kerala- Special Reference to Mātṛsadbhāva

Bakula (बकुल) or “cherry” refers to of the trees used for making Bimbas or Pratimās, according to the Mātṛsadbhāva, one of the earliest Śākta Tantras from Kerala.—Mātṛsadbhāva is a Kerala Tantric ritual manual dealing with the worship of Goddess Bhadrakālī (also known as Rurujit) along with sapta-mātṛs or Seven mothers. [...] There are many descriptions about the flora and fauna in Mātṛssadbhāva. [...] In the fourth chapter the author discussed about different types of trees [e.g., bakula] can be used to make pratimā or bimba.

context information

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.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Bākula (बाकुल) 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).

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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Bakula (बकुल) is the name of the caitya-tree (identified with Mimusops elengi) under which the parents of Nami are often depicted in Jaina iconography, according to both the Śvetāmbara and Digambara tradition. 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.

Nami is the twenty-first 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).

Source: archive.org: Economic Life In Ancient India (as depicted in Jain canonical literature)

Bakula (बकुल) refers to a kind of tree (vṛkṣa) commonly found in the forests (vaṇa) of ancient India, mentioned in the Jñātādharmakathāṅga-sūtra. Forests have been a significant part of the Indian economy since ancient days. They have been considered essential for economic development in as much as, besides bestowing many geographical advantages, they provide basic materials for building, furniture and various industries. The most important forest products are wood and timber which have been used by the mankind to fulfil his various needs—domestic, agricultural and industrial.

Different kinds of trees (e.g., the Bakula tree) provided firewood and timber. The latter was used for furniture, building materials, enclosures, staircases, pillars, agricultural purposes, e. g. for making ploughs, transportation e. g. for making carts, chariots, boats, ships, and for various industrial needs. Vaṇa-kamma was an occupation dealing in wood and in various otherforest products. Iṅgāla-kamma was another occupation which was concerned with preparing charcoal from firewood.

context information

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.

India history and geography

Source: Shodhganga: Cultural history as g leaned from kathasaritsagara

Bakula or Vakula 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., Bakula), 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 Bakula, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravahanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyadharas (celestial beings).

context information

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.

Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and Drugs

Bakula [बकुला] in the Nepali language is the name of a plant identified with Vicia faba L. from the Fabaceae (pea) family. For the possible medicinal usage of bakula, you can check this page for potential sources and references, although be aware that any some or none of the side-effects may not be mentioned here, wether they be harmful or beneficial to health.

Bakula in the Kannada language is the name of a plant identified with Manilkara hexandra from the Sapotaceae (Mahua) family having the following synonyms: Mimusops hexandra.

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

1) Bakula in India is the name of a plant defined with Argemone mexicana in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Echtrus trivialis Lour. (among others).

2) Bakula is also identified with Mimusops elengi It has the synonym Mimusops elengi Bojer (etc.).

3) Bakula in Nepal is also identified with Vicia bakeri It has the synonym Vicia pallida sensu Baker (etc.).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Prodr. (DC.) (1844)
· Species Plantarum (1753)
· Bot. Žurn. (1991)
· Mem. Torrey Bot. Club (1958)
· Cytologia (1988)
· Gardener’s Magazine and Register of Rural and Domestic Improvement (1830)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Bakula, for example extract dosage, diet and recipes, side effects, chemical composition, pregnancy safety, health benefits, have a look at these references.

context information

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: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Bakula, (cp. Class. Sk. bakula, N. of the tree Mimusops elengi, and its (fragrant) flower) in milāta°-puppha is v. l. KhA 60 (see App. p. 870 Pj.) for °ākuli°, which latter is also read at Vism. 260. (Page 481)

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.

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

bakula (बकुल).—m (S) A flowertree and its flower, Mimusops Elengi, 2 n C The flower.

--- OR ---

bakūḷa (बकूळ).—f (bakula S) See bakula the plant; and n the flower. 2 Ixora Bandhucca or Jungle geranium.

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

bakula (बकुल).—m A flower-tree and its flower.

--- OR ---

bakūḷa (बकूळ).—f See bakula.

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

Bakula (बकुल).—

1) A kind of tree, Mimusops Elengi, (said according to the convention of poets to put forth blossoms when sprinkled by young women with monthfuls of wine); काङ्क्षत्यन्यो (kāṅkṣatyanyo) (kesaraḥ or bakulaḥ) वदनमदिरां दोहदच्छद्यनाऽस्याः (vadanamadirāṃ dohadacchadyanā'syāḥ) Meghadūta 8; बकुलः सीधुगण्डूषसेकात् (bakulaḥ sīdhugaṇḍūṣasekāt) (vikasati); तव निश्वसितानुकारिभिर्बकुलैरर्धचितां समं मया (tava niśvasitānukāribhirbakulairardhacitāṃ samaṃ mayā) R.8.64; (for similar conventions about other trees see the quotation under aśoka).

2) a kind of drug.

-lam The fragrant flower of this tree; कृती मालाकरो बकुलमपि कुत्रापि निदधे (kṛtī mālākaro bakulamapi kutrāpi nidadhe) Bv.1.54.

-lī A kind of drug.

Derivable forms: bakulaḥ (बकुलः).

--- OR ---

Bakūla (बकूल).—The Bakula tree.

Derivable forms: bakūlaḥ (बकूलः).

--- OR ---

Bākula (बाकुल).—The fruit of the Bakula tree.

Derivable forms: bākulam (बाकुलम्).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Bakula (बकुल) or Bakkula or Vakkula or Vakula 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).

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

Bakula (बकुल).—see vakula.

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

Bakula (बकुल).—[masculine] a kind of tree; [neuter] its flower.

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

1) Bakula (बकुल):—m. (also written vakula) a kind of tree, Mimusops Elengi (said to put forth blossoms when sprinkled with nectar from the mouth of lovely women), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

2) Name of Śiva, [Mahābhārata xiii, 1223]

3) of a country, [Buddhist literature]

4) Bakulā (बकुला):—[from bakula] f. Helleborus Niger, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

5) Bakula (बकुल):—n. the fragrant flower of Mimusops Elengi, [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature etc.]

6) Bakūla (बकूल):—[from bakula] m. the Bakula tree, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

7) Bākula (बाकुल):—mfn. relating to or coming from the Bakula tree, [Suśruta]

8) n. the fruit of the Bakula tree, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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

Bakula (बकुल) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Baula.

[Sanskrit to German]

Bakula 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.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Bakula (ಬಕುಲ):—[noun] = ಬಕುಳ [bakula].

--- OR ---

Bakuḷa (ಬಕುಳ):—

1) [noun] the large, evergreen tree Manilkara hexandra ( = Mimusops hexandra) of Sapotaceae family.

2) [noun] another tree Mimusops elengi of the same family.

--- OR ---

Bākuḷa (ಬಾಕುಳ):—[noun] = ಬಾಗುಳ [bagula].

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 50 books and stories containing Bakula, Bākula, Bakūḷa, Bakūla, Bakulā, Bakuḷa, Bākuḷa; (plurals include: Bakulas, Bākulas, Bakūḷas, Bakūlas, Bakulās, Bakuḷas, Bākuḷas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

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