Introduction

Introduction:

Katuka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, 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.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

1) Kaṭuka (कटुक) is a Sanskrit word referring to Helleborus niger, a perennial flowering plant from the Ranunculaceae family, and is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. The plant is commonly known in English as “black hellebore” or “Christmas rose”.

2) Kaṭukā (कटुका) is another name for Śakulādanī (Picrorhiza kurroa) according to the Bhāvaprakāśa, which is a 16^th century medicinal thesaurus authored by Bhāvamiśra. It can also be spelled as Kaṭuka (कटुक). It is also known as Kaṭurohiṇī or Kaṭvī, or in the Nepali language it is known as Kuṭkī. The term is used throughout Ayurvedic literature. Certain plant parts of Śakulādanī are eaten as vegetables.

The plant (Kaṭuka) is also mentioned as a medicine used for the treatment of all major fevers (jvara), as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) which forms the first chapter of the Sanskrit work called Mādhavacikitsā. In this work, the plant is also known by the names Tiktā, Tiktakarohiṇī or Rohiṇī.

Source: archive.org: Sushruta samhita, Volume I

Katuka—A taste, which produces a burning sensation at the tip of the tongue attended with a tingling of the part and headache, and is instantaneously followed by a running at the nose (fluent coryza) is called pungent (Katuka). [...] Katuka (pungent), astringent and bitter ones are dry and light in character. The pungent, acid and saline ones exercise fiery or heat making virtues. Tastes such as pungent, bitter and astringent tend to subdue the deranged Kapha.

Katuka (pungent taste) is largely possessed of attributes, which mark the elementary principles of air (vāyu or pavana) and fire (agni or dahana). [...] A pungent taste, which is possessed of the same properties as the Pitta, respectively increases the heat, pungency, dryness, lightness and non-sliminess of the latter with the help of similar properties of its own. [...] A pungent taste is endued with properties which are contrary to those of the Kapha, hence the sweetness, oiliness, heaviness, coldness and sliminess of the latter, are respectively destroyed by the pungency, dryness, lightness, heat and non-sliminess of the former.

Virtueof Katuka—A pungent taste is endued with appetising, resolving (Pachana) and purifying properties in respect of ulcers etc.), and destroys obesity, languor, deranged Kapha and intestinal parasites. It is antitoxic in its character, proves curative in cases of Kushta (skin diseases) and itches, and removes the stiffness of the ligaments. It acts as a sedative and reduces the quantity of semen, milk and fat.

Downfall of Katuka—A pungent taste, though possessed of the aforesaid virtues, may bring on vertigo, loss of consciousness, dryness of the throat, palate and lips, burning sensation and a high temperature of the body, loss of strength, tremor, a sort of aching or breaking pain, and a neuralgic pain (Vata-simla) in the back, sides and the extremities, etc. in the event of its being largely partaken of in exclusion of all other tastes.

Source: archive.org: Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita (first 5 chapters)

Kaṭuka (कटुक) refers to “pungent (flavour)” and is mentioned in verse 3.4 of the Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna) by Vāgbhaṭa.—Accordingly, “[...] pre-spring etc.—by these three (seasons) one shall know the northern course (of the sun), and this (is named) ‘absorption’ (as) it absorbs strength from man every day. [...] then the (rough) flavours bitter [tikta], astringent [kaṭuka], (and) pungent (are) strong in succession. Therefore (the period of) absorption (is) fire-like”.

Note: Tikta (“bitter”) and. kaṭuka (“pungent”) have been translated by thsa(-ba) and khu-ba respectively, on which see 1.14.

Source: WorldCat: Rāj nighaṇṭu

1) Kaṭukā (कटुका) is another name for Tiktatuṇḍī, a medicinal plant identified with Coccinia indica (ivy gourd ) from the Cucurbitaceae or “gourd family” of flowering plants, according to verse 3.64-65 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. The third chapter (guḍūcyādi-varga) of this book contains climbers and creepers (vīrudh). Together with the names Kaṭukā and Tiktatuṇḍī, there are a total of six Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

2) Kaṭukā (कटुका) also represents a synonym for Kṣudracuñcu which is a variety of Cuñcu, an unidentified medicinal plant possibly identified with (i) Marsilea dentata Linn., (ii) Marsilea quadrifolia Linn. or (iii) Marsilea minuta Linn., according to verse 4.148-149. The fourth chapter (śatāhvādi-varga) of this book enumerates eighty varieties of small plants (pṛthu-kṣupa). Together with the names Kaṭukā and Kṣudracuñcu, there are a total of eight Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

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

1) Kaṭuka (कटुक) refers to “pungent” (in taste) and represents a particular dietetic effect according to 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.—Accordingly, the dietetic effect kaṭuka is associated with the following conditions: Food utensils made of Hastikarṇīpatra (coral tree leaf).

2) Kaṭuka (कटुक) is used in the process of chewing betel (tāmbūla).—Accordingly, betel leaves (tāmbūla) are generally chewed with areca-nut and limestone powder. One who holds the betel savored in combination with [viz., kaṭuka], can stimulate his appetite and clear the bad smell of his mouth. Five niṣkas of areca-nut, two palas of betel leaf and two guñjas of limestone powder is the best proportion for betel chewing.

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Botanical identification of plants described in Mādhava Cikitsā

Kaṭuka (कटुक) refers to the medicinal plant Picrorrhiza kurroa Benth., and is used in the treatment of atisāra (diarrhoea), according to the Ayurvedic Formulary of India (as well as the Pharmacopoeia).—Atisāra refers to a condition where there are three or more loose or liquid stools (bowel movements) per day or more stool than normal. The second chapter of the Mādhavacikitsā explains several preparations [including Kaṭuka] through 60 Sanskrit verses about treating this problem.

The plant plant Picrorrhiza kurroa Benth. (Kaṭuka) is known as Rohiṇī or Kaṭurohiṇī according to the 7th century Mādhavacikitsā chapter 2.

Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgraha

Kaṭukā (कटुका) refers to the medicinal plant known as “Abelmoschus moschatus Medikus” 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 kaṭukā] 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).

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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 8: Bondage of karmas

Kaṭuka (कटुक, “pungent”) refers to one of the five types of Rasa (taste) which represents one of the various kinds of Nāma, or “physique-making (karmas)”, which represents one of the eight types of Prakṛti-bandha (species bondage): one of the four kinds of bondage (bandha) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra chapter 8. The karmas rise of which gives the taste attribute to the body are called taste body-making karma (eg., kaṭuka).

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 geogprahy

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Kaṭuka.—(EI 13; HD), an official designation of uncertain import; cf. Mahākaṭuka. See Ep. Ind., Vol XIII, p. 117. Note: kaṭuka is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

kaṭuka : (adj.) sharp; severe, painful; pungent.

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

Kaṭuka, (adj.) (Sk. kaṭu(ka), from *(s)qǔer to cut; cp. Sk. kṛṇoti (kṛṇtati), Lat. caro “cutlet. ” — k. is almost exclusively poetical; usually explained in prose by aniṭṭha, tikhiṇa, ghora (of niraya); often combined with khara, opp. madhura, e.g. PvA. 119) sharp, bitter, acid, severe.—1. severe, sharp (fig.), of dukkha, vedanā, kāmā, etc. M. I, 10=A. II, 143; J. VI, 115; Th. 2, 451 (=ThA. 281); SA 56.—painful, terrible, frightful (-applied to the fruits of evil actions and to the sufferings in Niraya: see kammapphala & niraya) J. III, 519; Pv. I, 10², 11¹; IV, 1⁸, 7⁶.—bitter, or perhaps pungent of taste DhS 291; Miln. 65, 112; J. III, 201.—2. (nt.) pungency, acidity, bitterness D. II, 349=J. I, 380; Th. 2, 503 (pañca°); J. VI, 509.—Note. Is k. to be written instead of kadukkha at VvA. 316, where it explains maraṇa? Cp. J. III, 201: tesaṃ taṃ kaṭukaṃ āsi, maraṇaṃ ten’upāgamuṃ.

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

kāṭūka (काटूक) [or कांटूक, kāṇṭūka].—n A fragment of wood; a little stick or chip; a chat.

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

kāṭūka (काटूक).—n A fragment of wood or a little stick or chip.

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-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Kaṭuka (कटुक).—a.

1) Sharp, pungent; मधुरो गुडः कटुकं शृङ्गबेरम् (madhuro guḍaḥ kaṭukaṃ śṛṅgaberam) Mahābhārata on P.II.1.1.

2) Impetuous, hot; Rv.1. 85.34.

3) Disagreeable, unpleasant.

4) Fierce. स संप्रहारस्तुमुलः कटुकः शोणितोदकः (sa saṃprahārastumulaḥ kaṭukaḥ śoṇitodakaḥ) Mb.6.7.12.

5) Harsh; यदा ह्यस्य गिरो रुक्षाः श्रुणोमि कटुकादयाः (yadā hyasya giro rukṣāḥ śruṇomi kaṭukādayāḥ) Mb.12.1.4.

-kaḥ 1 Pungency, acerbity.

2) Name of several plants :-पटोल, सुगन्धितृण, कुटज, अर्क, राजसर्षप (paṭola, sugandhitṛṇa, kuṭaja, arka, rājasarṣapa).

-kā Name of several plants :- कटुरोहिणी, ताम्बुली, राजिका, तिक्तालावुक (kaṭurohiṇī, tāmbulī, rājikā, tiktālāvuka).

-kī = कटुरोहिणी (kaṭurohiṇī).

-kam 1 Pungency; (at the end of comp. in a bad sense; as dadhikaṭukam 'bad curds').

2) A compound of ginger, black and long pepper.

3) unpleasant works, speech; क्षमिणं तादृशं तात ब्रुवन्ति कटुकान्यपि (kṣamiṇaṃ tādṛśaṃ tāta bruvanti kaṭukānyapi) Mb.3.28.13.

--- OR ---

Kaṭukā (कटुका).—f. Name of plant, Picrorrhiza Kurroa (Mar. kuṭakī, bāḷakaḍū).

--- OR ---

Kāṭuka (काटुक).—Acidity.

Derivable forms: kāṭukam (काटुकम्).

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

Kaṭuka (कटुक).—(so Index, for text kuṭaka), m. or nt., pool, pond: Śikṣāsamuccaya 249.14 udapānaṃ vā kaṭukaṃ vā kūpaṃ vā puṣkariṇīṃ vā khānayet; Tibetan renders ka° and puskar° both by rdziṅ, pond.

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

Kaṭuka (कटुक).—mf. (-kaḥ-kī) 1. A plant, the bark and seed of which have an acrid and bitter taste, and are used in medicine for worms, dysentery, &c. (Wrightea antidysenterica.) 2. Gigantic swallow wort, (Colotropis gigantea. 3. A fragrant kind of grass. 4. Mustard. 5. A gourd: see paṭola f. (-kā or -kī) A medicinal plant, used as a sedative and laxative; also kaṭurohiṇī. n.

(-kaṃ) A compound of three pungent substances, a black pepper, long papper, and dry ginger: see trikaṭu. E. kaṭu pungent, and kan aff.

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

Kaṭuka (कटुक).—[kaṭu + ka], I. adj., f. kā, Sharp, pungent; of taste, [Kathāsaritsāgara, (ed. Brockhaus.)] 11, 23; of smell, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 16, 17; of words, Mahābhārata 13, 6645. Ii. n. Pungency.

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

Kaṭuka (कटुक).—[adjective] = [preceding] adj.; [abstract] kaṭukatā [feminine], kaṭukatva [neuter]

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

1) Kaṭuka (कटुक):—[from kaṭ] mf(ā and ī)n. sharp, pungent, bitter

2) [v.s. ...] fierce, impetuous, hot, bad, [Ṛg-veda x, 85, 34; Mahābhārata; Kathāsaritsāgara] etc.

3) [v.s. ...] m. Name of several plants, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

4) [v.s. ...] Name of a man

5) [v.s. ...] f(ā, ī). Name of several plants, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

6) [v.s. ...] n. pungency, acerbity, [Mahābhārata ii]

7) [v.s. ...] (ifc. in a bad sense e.g. dadhi-kaṭuka m. bad coagulated milk, [Pāṇini 6-2, 126])

8) [v.s. ...] n. Name of a plant, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

9) [v.s. ...] an aggregate of three pungent substances (See -traya), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

10) Kāṭuka (काटुक):—n. ([from] kaṭuka) acidity [gana] yuvādi.

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. 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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with (+13): Katukabadari, Katukabhakshin, Katukabhanda, Katukabhava, Katukadi, Katukagana, Katukala, Katukalabu, Katukalavu, Katukama, Katukamata, Katukamyata, Katukancukata, Katukanda, Katukanjani, Katukankarantakalyadi, Katukapabhedana, Katukaphala, Katukapphala, Katukaraja.

Ends with: Akatuka, Atikatuka, Dadhikatuka, Kandakatuka, Kannakatuka, Kedarakatuka, Krishnakatuka, Lavanakatuka, Madhuramlakatuka, Mahakatuka, Sakatuka, Tikatuka, Trikatuka, Tukatuka, Ushnakatuka, Utkatuka, Vipakakatuka.

Full-text (+67): Katukarohini, Katukavalli, Katukatraya, Katukaphala, Sakatuka, Katukata, Katukatva, Kataki, Katukabhakshin, Katukavitapa, Kutaka, Bhadrarohini, Benaka, Krishnakatuka, Akatuphala, Lavanakatuka, Kashthavallika, Akatuka, Katukodaya, Shritrikatukavihara.

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Search found 15 books and stories containing Katuka, Kaṭukā, Kaṭuka, Kāṭūka, Kāṭuka; (plurals include: Katukas, Kaṭukās, Kaṭukas, Kāṭūkas, Kāṭukas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Sushruta Samhita, Volume 6: Uttara-tantra (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)

Chapter LXIII - Different Combinations of six different Rasas < [Canto V - Tantra-bhusana-adhyaya (embellishing chapters)]

Chapter XXXIX - Symptoms and Treatment of Fever (Jvara) < [Canto III - Kaya-chikitsa-tantra (internal medicine)]

Chapter LI - Symptoms and Treatment of Asthma (Shvasa) < [Canto III - Kaya-chikitsa-tantra (internal medicine)]

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Kautilya Arthashastra (by R. Shamasastry)

Chapter 22 - Regulation of Toll-Dues < [Book 2 - The duties of Government Superintendents]

Chapter 15 - The Superintendent of Store-house < [Book 2 - The duties of Government Superintendents]

Chapter 3 - The Application of Medicines and Mantras < [Book 14 - Secret Means]

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Brihat Samhita (by N. Chidambaram Iyer)

Chapter 77 - Preparation of Perfumes (gandhayukti)

Appendix 8 - Glossary of Medical and Botanical terms

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Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)

Part 2 - Punishments for prohibited sexual activity < [Section I.3 - Abstention from illicit love]

Part 2 - The true nature, the nature of phenomena and the summit of existence < [Chapter I - Explanation of Arguments]

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The Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)

Chapter CXCIII - Medical treatment of fever etc < [Dhanvantari Samhita]

Chapter CCXXVII - Different names of the Ayurvedic Drugs < [Dhanvantari Samhita]

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Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Appendix 1.2: types of karma < [Appendices]

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