Oshadhi, Osadhi, Osadhī, Oṣadhi, Oṣadhī: 25 definitions
Introduction:
Oshadhi 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 Oṣadhi and Oṣadhī can be transliterated into English as Osadhi or Oshadhi, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Google Books: Cultural History from the Vāyu PurānaOṣadhi (ओषधि): In the Ṛgveda plants (oṣadhi) are personified as divine and a whole and long hymn is devoted to their praise mainly with reference to their healing powers. The same Veda often refers to Soma as the king of the plant-world. In the Vāyu-purāṇa also the plant-world is closely associated with Soma who is called the “consecrated lord” of the vegetable kingdom.
Classification of Plants: Rudimentary ideas about classification of plants can be found in the Ṛgveda and the Atharvaveda. Roughly speaking the vegetable wold is divided, in the Vedic literature, between oṣadhi or vīrudh (plants) and vana or vṛkṣa (trees). The Manu-smṛti, however, divides the plant-world into four classes which are also found in the works of Caraka and Suśruta.
This fourfould classification is:
- Vanaspati: Trees not bearing flowers.
- Vānaspatya: Trees bearing flowers and fruits.
- Auṣadhis: Plants. Commentators further subdivide it into two classes, such as (a) annuals or perennials and (b) grass or tṛṇa.
- Vīrudh: Creeper. They are further subdivided into (a) latā and (b) vallī and gulma.
The Vāyu-purāṇa classification of plants into grāmyāraṇya (or grāmya and āraṇya) and yajñiya is not found in any of these works.
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationOṣadhi (ओषधि) refers to “medicinal herbs”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.36. Accordingly, as Bṛhaspati said to Indra:—“[...] there is the presiding deity of sacrifices who dispenses the fruits of all sacrifices. He does it with reference to the performer. He is not independent of the performer. Neither Mantras nor medicinal herbs [viz., oṣadhi], nor black magic, nor worldly activities, nor the Vedas, nor the two systems of Mīmāṃsās, nor other sacred texts based on Vedic passages are able to know Śiva—so the ancient authorities say. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexOṣadhī (ओषधी).—A goddess enshrined at Uttarakuru.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 13. 50.
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)
Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)
Source: Wisdom Library: Raj NighantuOṣadhi (ओषधि) or Auṣadha refers to “[those plants] which perishes after ripening of fruits” and represents one of the five kinds of aṅkura or “substances (dravya) produced (ja) through a sprout (aṅkura)”, as defined in the first chapter (ānūpādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). The Anūpādi-varga covers some 16 major topics regarding land and vegetations (e.g., Oṣadhi) .
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha ChikitsaOṣadhi (ओषधि) refers to “medicines”, 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).—Kāśyapa posits that the collection or gathering of medicinal herbs must be done in a specified manner, accompanied by japa or prayer. If plucked without the relevant prayers or mantras, the medicines are liable to lose their potency which is paramount for effective treatment and complete remedy of any ailment. The Creator created people and also the medicines (oṣadhi) to safeguard and protect humanity. He also created the moon to protect the medicinal potency of the flora.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botanyOṣadhi (ओषधि, “herb”).—One the classifications of plants according to their stature. Oṣadhis are plants that wither after fructification, such as Kalama (a species of paddy) or Wheat. The term is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Suśruta-saṃhitā and the Caraka-saṃhitā.
Oṣadhi is listed as a classification for plants in the following sources:
The Manusmṛti 1.46-48 by Manu (also known as the Manusaṃhitā and Mānavadharmaśāstra).
The Carakasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna I.36-37) by Caraka.
The Suśrutasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna I.23) by Suśruta.
The Praśastapādabhāṣya by Praśastapāda and its two commentaries Nyāyakaṇḍalī and Kiraṇāvalī.
The Bhāvārthadīpikā 3.10.19 (commentary on the Bhāgavatapurāṇa) by Śrīdhara.
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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: WikiPedia: HinduismOshadhi (“herbs useful to humans”).
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names1. Osadhi - The morning star, used in describing typical whiteness (odata, odatavanna, etc.) (D.ii.111), and also great brightness and purity (parisuddha Osadhataraka viya) (It.20; MA.ii.638, 772; also Vsm.ii.412).
Buddhaghosa says (MA.ii.714) that it is so called because, when it appears in the sky, people gather medicines and drink them by its sign. (Sukka taraka tassa udayato patthaya tena sannanena osadhani ganhanti pi pivanti pi: tasma Osadhi taraka ti vuccati.)
The Itivuttaka Commentary (ItA.72) gives another explanation: that it contains bright rays of light, and that it gives efficacy to various medicines (ussanna pabha etaya dhiyati osadhinam va anubalappadayikatta Osadhi).
It is also used in similes to typify constancy, like the star Osadhi, which, in all seasons, keeps to the same path and never deviates there from (sabbautusu attano gamanavithim vijahitva annaya vithiya na gacchati sakavithiya va gacchati). (BuA.89)
2. Osadhi - The city at the gates of which Anomadassi Buddha performed the Twin Miracle (BuA.143) and, therefore, a former name of Sankassa.
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraOṣadhi (ओषधि) refers to “medicinal herbs” according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter VI. Accordingly, “There are monks (pravrājita) who compound medicinal herbs (oṣadhi), plant grain and cultivate trees, etc. Those who follow these impure means of livelihood (aśuddhā-jīva) ‘eat with their face down’”.
Source: archive.org: Bulletin of the French School of the Far East (volume 5)Oṣadhi (ओषधि) [?] (in Chinese: Yeou-chai-ti) is the name of an ancient kingdom associated with Bharaṇī or Bharaṇīnakṣatra, as mentioned in chapter 18 of the Candragarbha: the 55th section of the Mahāsaṃnipāta-sūtra, a large compilation of Sūtras (texts) in Mahāyāna Buddhism partly available in Sanskrit, Tibetan and Chinese.—Chapter 18 deals with geographical astrology and, in conversation with Brahmarāja and others, Buddha explains how he entrusts the Nakṣatras [e.g., Bharaṇī] with a group of kingdoms [e.g., Oṣadhi] for the sake of protection and prosperity.
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
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryosadhī : (f.) medicinal plant; name of a brilliant star.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryOsadhī, (f.) (Vedic avaṣa + dhī: bearer of balm, comfort, refreshment). There is no difference in meaning between osadha and osadhī; both mean equally any medicine, whether of herbs or other ingredients. Cp. e.g. A. IV, 100 (bījagāma-bhūtagāmā . . osadhi-tiṇavanappatayo) Pv. II, 610, with Sn. 296 (gāvo ... yāsu jāyanti osadhā); D. I, 12, cp. DA. I, 98; Pv III, 53; PvA. 86; J. IV, 31; VI, 331 (? trsln. medicinal herb). Figuratively, “balm of salvation” (amatosadha) Miln. 247. Osadhi-tārakā, star of healing. The only thing we know about this star is its white brilliance, S. I, 65; It. 20 = A. V, 62; Vv 92; Pv. II, 110; cp. PvA. 71; Vism. 412. Childers calls it Venus, but gives no evidence; other translators render it “morning star” . According to Hindu mythology the lord of medicine is the moon (oṣadhīśa), not any particular star. (Page 171)
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 Dictionaryōṣadhī (ओषधी).—f (S) An annual or deciduous plant. 2 A tree, shrub, or herb gen.
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ōṣadhī (ओषधी).—a (S) Medicinal, of healing virtue.
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 dictionaryOṣadhi (ओषधि) or Oṣadhī (ओषधी).—f. [oṣaḥ pāko dhīyate atra-dhā-ki Tv.]
1) A herb, plant (in general); ओषध्यः फलपाकान्ताः (oṣadhyaḥ phalapākāntāḥ) Manusmṛti 1.46; cf. संजीवन° (saṃjīvana°).
2) A medicinal plant or drug.
3) An annual plant or herb which dies after becoming ripe.
Derivable forms: oṣadhiḥ (ओषधिः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryOṣadhi (ओषधि).—(= Pali osadhi), n. or epithet of a particular star: n. sg. °dhi or °dhī, Mahāvastu ii.56.20 and 58.13 (verse) tāra- varā va oṣadhī, by Senart's em., which is proved by the Pali parallel Jātaka (Pali) v.398.30. In Pali more often called osadhi-tārakā, star of medicine.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryOṣadhi (ओषधि).—f.
(-dhiḥ) An annual plant or herb, one that dies after becoming ripe. E. oṣa heat, and dhā to have, ki affix; or with ṅīṣ, oṣadhī; or with iñ affix, auṣadhi.
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Oṣadhī (ओषधी).—f. (-dhī) An annual plant or deciduous herb: see the preceding.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryOṣadhi (ओषधि).—oṣadhī, i. e. uṣ + a-dhā (cf. nidhi), f. 1. A plant, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 1, 46. 2. A medicinal herb, [Caurapañcāśikā] 47.
Oṣadhi can also be spelled as Oṣadhī (ओषधी).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryOṣadhi (ओषधि).—[feminine] a herb or plant.
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Oṣadhī (ओषधी).—[feminine] a herb or plant.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Oṣadhi (ओषधि):—[=oṣa-dhi] f. ([etymology] doubtful; probably [from] oṣa above, ‘light-containing’ See, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa ii, 2, 4, 5; Nirukta, by Yāska ix, 27]) a herb, plant, simple, [especially] any medicinal herb, [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Mahābhārata] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] an annual plant or herb (which dies after becoming ripe), [Manu-smṛti i, 46, etc.; Suśruta i, 4, 16; 18; Yājñavalkya] etc.
3) [v.s. ...] a remedy in general, [Suśruta i, 4, 15.]
4) Oṣadhī (ओषधी):—[from oṣa-dhi] f. (only [Vedic or Veda] and not in [nominative case] [case] [Pāṇini 6-3, 132]; but occasional exceptions are found) = oṣa-dhi above.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Oṣadhi (ओषधि):—(dhiḥ) 2. f. An annual plant.
2) Oṣadhī (ओषधी):—(dhī) 3. f. Idem.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Oṣadhi (ओषधि) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Osahi, Hī.
[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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryOṣadhi (ओषधि):—(nf) a medicinal herb; medicine.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusŌṣadhi (ಓಷಧಿ):—
1) [noun] a herb; a plant (in gen.).
2) [noun] any plant used as a medicine; a medicinal herb.
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)
Partial matches: Osha, Dhi, Ti.
Starts with (+4): Oshadhidhara, Oshadhigarbha, Oshadhihoma, Oshadhija, Oshadhikalpa, Oshadhiloka, Oshadhimadya, Oshadhimant, Oshadhimat, Oshadhinamamala, Oshadhinamavali, Oshadhinatha, Oshadhipati, Oshadhiprastha, Oshadhiprasthanagara, Oshadhiraja, Oshadhisamshita, Oshadhisha, Oshadhishvara, Oshadhisukta.
Ends with: Divyaushadhi, Mahaushadhi, Mantraushadhi, Mridvoshadhi, Oshati, Pashvoshadhi, Ratnoshadhi, Samjivanshadhi, Sarvoshadhi, Vanshadhi.
Full-text (+96): Aushadhi, Oshadhipati, Oshadhija, Oshadhisukta, Oshadhimat, Oshadhiprastha, Oshadhivanaspati, Oshadhinamavali, Oshadhivallabha, Oshadhisamshita, Oshadhisha, Oshadhihoma, Oshadhimant, Oshadhigarbha, Oshadhiloka, Oshadhyanuvaka, Oshadhitvara, Aushadha, Mahaushadhi, Takila.
Relevant text
Search found 42 books and stories containing Oshadhi, Oṣa-dhi, Osa-dhi, Osadhi, Osadhī, Oṣadhi, Oṣadhī, Ōṣadhī, Ōsadhi, Ōṣadhi, Osha-dhi; (plurals include: Oshadhis, dhis, Osadhis, Osadhīs, Oṣadhis, Oṣadhīs, Ōṣadhīs, Ōsadhis, Ōṣadhis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Markandeya Purana (Study) (by Chandamita Bhattacharya)
Sushruta Samhita, volume 4: Cikitsasthana (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)
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6h. Hymn against a Rival Woman < [Chapter 2 - The Strīkarmāṇi Hymns of the Atharvaveda]
6b. Hymn to Win the Love of a Husband < [Chapter 2 - The Strīkarmāṇi Hymns of the Atharvaveda]
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