Shankhapushpa, Śaṅkhapuṣpa, Shamkhapushpa, Shankha-pushpa: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Shankhapushpa means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.
The Sanskrit term Śaṅkhapuṣpa can be transliterated into English as Sankhapuspa or Shankhapushpa, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation1) Śaṅkhapuṣpa (शङ्खपुष्प) refers to “Śaṅkha flowers” which is used in the worship of Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.13:—“[...] then the Ācamana shall be offered and cloth dedicated. Gingelly seeds, barley grains, wheat, green gram or black gram shall then be offered to Śiva with various mantras. Then flowers shall be offered to the five-faced noble soul. Lotuses, rose, [Śaṅkha flowers, viz., śaṅkhapuṣpa], and Kuśa flowers, Dhattūras, Mandāras grown in a wooden vessel, holy basil leaves or Bilva leaves shall be offered to each of the faces in accordance with the previous meditation or according to one’s wish. By all means Śiva favourably disposed to His devotees shall be worshipped with great devotion. If other flowers are not available, Bilva leaves shall be used exclusively in the worship of Śiva”.
2) Śaṅkhapuṣpa (शङ्खपुष्प) refers to the “flowers of the Śaṅkha plant”, which are used in the worship of Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.14:—“[...] a prastha of Śaṅkha flowers [viz., Śaṅkhapuṣpa] constitutes a hundred thousand, says Vyāsa who shows the exact measurement and calculation. [...] The devotee shall perform the worship of Śiva with different flowers after considering these modes of calculation for the fulfilment of desires if he has any or for the sake of salvation if he has no desire”.
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)
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha ChikitsaŚaṅkhapuṣpa (शङ्खपुष्प) is the name of an ingredient used in the treatment (cikitsā) of rat poison (ākhu-viṣa), 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 has recommended a slew of generic formulae that successfully neutralise rat poison.—According to Kāśyapasaṃhitā (verse 11.86): “A kalka or paste made of Kākādani with its juice or Kākamācī or both, with their oils. effectively combat poison. The oils of Kapittha and Śaṅkhapuṣpa or both mixed with ghee, Kākādanī and Kākamāci will be equally effective”.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and DrugsShankha-Pushpa [शंख पुष्प] in the Konkani language is the name of a plant identified with Clitoria ternatea L. from the Fabaceae (pea) family. For the possible medicinal usage of shankha-pushpa, 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.
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)Shankhapushpa in India is the name of a plant defined with Clitoria ternatea in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Lathyrus spectabilis Forssk. (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Fl. Senegal (1954)
· Hort. Calcuttensis (1845)
· Bot. Commelins (1983)
· Encyclopédie Méthodique. Botanique (1811)
· Inst. Rei Herb. (1766)
· Moscosoa (1990)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Shankhapushpa, for example health benefits, side effects, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, chemical composition, extract dosage, 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
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusŚaṃkhapuṣpa (ಶಂಖಪುಷ್ಪ):—[noun] = ಶಂಖಪುಷ್ಪಿ [shamkhapushpi].
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: Pushpa, Shankha.
Starts with: Shankhapushpam, Shankhapushpap.
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Full-text: Shankhapushpap, Shankhapushpam, Sankhapuspam-nila, Kakadani, Mushakavisha, Kapitthap, Kakamaci.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Shankhapushpa, Śaṃkhapuṣpa, Samkhapuspa, Śaṅkha-puṣpa, Sankha-puspa, Śankha-puṣpa, Śaṅkhapuṣpa, Sankhapuspa, Śankhapuṣpa, Shamkhapushpa, Shankha-pushpa; (plurals include: Shankhapushpas, Śaṃkhapuṣpas, Samkhapuspas, puṣpas, puspas, Śaṅkhapuṣpas, Sankhapuspas, Śankhapuṣpas, Shamkhapushpas, pushpas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
General introduction of shankhpushpi according to ayurveda < [2021: Volume 10, April issue 4]
Ayurveda for chemo-radiotherapy induced side effects in cancer patients < [2022: Volume 11, October special issue 14]
Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra (by Shanta Srinivasan)
2. Description of Adhivasa Diksha < [Chapter 3 - The preliminary rites of Diksha]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
A conceptual study to review the vishaghna properties of aparajita (clitoria ternatea linn.) from nighantu’s < [2022, Issue 10, October]
Multivariate Analysis of Tridoshagna Varga of Sidhhamantra Nighantu < [Volume 9, Issue 6: November-December 2022]