Kapha: 30 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Ayurveda
2. General definition
In Jainism
1. General definition
India history
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Hindi
4. Prakrit
5. Kannada
6. Nepali
See also
Buy products

Introduction:

Kapha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, 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.

Alternative spellings of this word include Cuff.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

: Wisdom Library: Raj Nighantu

Kapha (啶曕か) refers to one of the three 诲辞峁蝉 (the other being V膩ta and Pitta), according to the second chapter (诲丑补谤补峁噛腻诲颈-惫补谤驳补), verses 67-68. Accordingly, 鈥渢he substances, which alleviate 惫腻迟补, are good digestive and appetizers. Similarly, a drug which alleviates kapha, is also appetizer and slightly digestive stimulant. But, a drug reducing the action of pitta, is not a good digestive. A substance which is heavy (guru), 艣墨迟补, 惫墨谤测补 and anti-pitta, will aggravate 惫腻迟补-do峁. Similarly, a substance which is light, 耻峁ａ箛补, 惫墨谤测补, anti-惫腻迟补, will alleviate kapha and increase 辫颈迟迟补-诲辞峁鈥�.

Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)

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

Kapha (啶曕か) refers to 鈥減hlegm鈥�, according to the 17th century Bhojanakut奴hala (诲谤补惫测补驳耻峁嚹乬耻峁嘺-办补迟丑补苍补), and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as 笔腻办补艣腻蝉迟谤补 or 笔腻办补办补濒腻.鈥擶ater drunk at the beginning of a meal leads to thinness of body and will dampen the digestive fire. Water drunk excessively in the middle of a meal prevents the digestion of food. Water drunk at the end of a meal leads to corpulence and aggravation of kapha.

Procedure to alleviate kapha (phlegm) after meals: The excess phlegm in the human body can lead to the weakening of digestive fire. Sleeping immediately after the meal will result in the aggravation of phlegm. The excess phlegm must be alleviated by employing fumes of the fragrant substances such as agaru (aloe wood) or consuming fruits like 辫奴驳补 (areca-nut), 办补谤辫奴谤补 (camphor), 办补蝉迟奴谤颈 (musk), 濒补惫补峁単补 (clove) and sumanas (spanish jasmine) that are pungent, astringent and bitter. After a meal, one must walk a few steps. Practising this lightens the food mass and imparts comfort in the neck, knees and loins. The excess phlegm can also be alleviated by savoring betel leaves along with fragrant substances.

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita鈥擳ext on Visha Chikitsa

Kapha (啶曕か, 鈥減hlegm鈥�) refers to one of the ten symptoms of a snake-bite (诲补峁兣沘肠别峁ａ弓颈迟补) that could be potentially fatal, as taught in the Ce峁ａ弓ita (鈥渟ymptoms of snake-bites鈥�) section of the K膩艣yapa Sa峁僪it膩: an ancient Sanskrit text from the P膩帽car膩tra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Vi峁cikits膩鈥攁n important topic from 膧yurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Agadatantra or Sarpavidy膩).鈥擳he ten symptoms of a bite ordained by time/death that could be fatal mentioned by Ka艣yapa are鈥攈orripilation, thirst/burning sensation, profuse sweat, phlegm (kapha), inflammation/irritation of all the organs of the body, debility/lack of control of all the organs, salivation, incoherent blabbering, lack of memory and finally death.

Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)

: archive.org: The Elephant Lore of the Hindus

Kapha (啶曕か) refers to the 鈥減hlegm鈥� (of an elephant), according to the 15th century 惭腻迟补峁単补濒墨濒腻 composed by N墨laka峁囜弓ha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.鈥擺Cf. chapter 5, 鈥渙n marks of the stages of life鈥漖: 鈥�18. Constantly weeping, with phlegm (kapha) ever oozing from his trunk [satata峁� ka峁璦sruta办补辫丑补岣�], with skin discolored and rough, going outside the herd through fear, deserted by thoughts of love and by the growth of tusks, without heroism, with constantly closing eyes, in the eighth stage his wounds do not heal quickly, and the skin, on which the lines of hair are destroyed, shrinks greatly鈥�.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Wisdom Library: 膧yurveda and botany

Kapha (啶曕か) refers to one of the three Do峁s (迟谤颈诲辞峁), representing the 鈥渨ater element鈥� of the human body. It is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-sa峁僪it膩 and the 厂耻艣谤耻迟补-sa峁僪it膩. The three 诲辞峁蝉 are three bodily humors, which when in balance, sustain perfect human health. According to D峁涐笉habala, Kapha-do峁 is situated in the 艣颈谤补蝉 (head). The quantum of Kapha-do峁 fluctuates during Childhood, morning and early hours of night and after meals. It also fluctuates according to the different seasons: during during early winter (hemanta) it accumulates, during spring (vasanta) it aggrevates and during summer (驳谤墨峁补) it pacifies. It is important to keep track of these fluctuations in order to prevent seasonal disorders.

: Google Books: Essentials of Ayurveda

Kapha (啶曕か) is the principle of water and as such maintains the body-fluid, controls growth and strength in the body.

Causes of aggravation:鈥擪apha is aggravated by intake of sweet, sour, salty, unctuous, slimy and heavy substances, day-sleep, lack of physical exercise, in spring season, first phase of day and night, and childhood.

Symptoms:鈥擜ggravated Kapha gives rise to heaviness, diminution of digestive fire, nausea, salivation, lassitude, horripilation, sweetness in body and mouth, itching in throat, drowsiness, excessive sleep, depression of body and mind, pal,lor or whiteness and abnormal growth.

Treatment:鈥擵膩ta, Pitta and Kapha should be treated with eliminative therapy (known as 鈥榩a帽cakarma鈥�). Thereafter they should be pacified with prescribed measures relating to diet, drug and activity. Kapha is pacified with bitter astringent and pungent substances; application of irritant, hot and rough items; keeping awake in night and physical activity.

: Google Books: A Practical Approach to the Science of Ayurveda

Kapha (啶曕か).鈥擮ne of the three biological humors (迟谤颈诲辞峁).鈥擮ften kapha is translated as mucus or phlegm, which is an important part of kapha, particularly in disease, but kapha is much more than that. It represents potential energy in the body. Kapha-do峁 provides nourishment to all parts of the body and regulates the other two 诲辞峁蝉, pitta and 惫腻迟补.

Kapha provides moistness, oiliness and smoothness to the body organs. It lubricates and connects joints and bones, increases libido, strength, enthusiasm, heals wounds improves immunity, provides energy for mental and physical activities, and it is responsible for behavioral and psychological changes. Kapha is also the pramry cause for sleep, lethargy and inertia (tamas).

The five types of kapha according to their locations and functions are:

kledaka (located in the stomach),
avalambaka (located in the chest),
bodhaka (located in the tongue and throat),
tarpaka (located in the head),
艣濒别峁办补 (located in the bones and joints).

: archive.org: Sushruta samhita, Volume I

Kapha (it鈥檚 origin) is ascribed to the presence of watery (saumya) principle in the body. Sweetness, oiliness, heaviness, coldness and sliminess form the specific properties of Kapha.

: Easy Ayurveda: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms

Kapha can be managed by avoiding foods which are cold, oily, stale, refrigerated, heavy to digest, slimy, food rich in sweet, sour and salt taste, keeping away from low moods and depression, avoiding excess of sleep, lack of exercise and sex, sedentary life activities, managing cold season etc – This will prevent stagnations and blocks in the cells and tissues and thus prevent pressure on nerves and tendons

: Hand book of domestic medicine: Basic principles of 膧yurveda

Kapha is also called 艢le峁a. One of its main functions is to provide nutrition to the bodily tissues. Kapha is also of five types viz.

Kledaka Kapha,
Avalambaka Kapha,
Tarpaka Kapha,
Bodhaka Kapha
and 艢le峁ka Kapha.

: Cogprints: Concepts of Human Physiology in Ayurveda

Kapha performs the functions like protection, strength, stability and resistance. Functions of immune system and all such other protective mechanisms in the body have been grouped under 鈥楰apha鈥� in Ayurveda.

During the first stage of digestion, there occurs the release of froth-like 鈥楰apha鈥� (Carakasa峁僪it膩 Cikits膩sth膩na 15/9). Salivary juice and mucous secreted in the stomach serve many protective functions but do not directly participate in the actual process of digestion. These are therefore indicative of froth-like 鈥楰apha鈥�, which is 鈥楳alar奴p墨鈥� in nature.

Ojas is also closely related with Kapha. When the 艢le峁a (Kapha) is in normal state, it is called 鈥楤ala鈥� as well as 鈥極jas鈥�; but when it attains an abnormal state, it is then called 鈥楳ala鈥� (Waste) and 鈥楶膩pm膩鈥� (Disease) (Carakasa峁僪it膩 S奴trasth膩na 27/117).

: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

Kapha (啶曕か):鈥擜 synonym for 艢le峁膩. One of the three bodily Do峁s responsible for stability, unctousness, lubrication, immunity, and cohesion. This is predominant of P峁泃hvi and Jala Mah膩bh奴tas. The attributes of Kapha are: Guru (heavy), Manda (dull), Hima (cold), Snigdha (unctuous), 艢lak峁ａ箛a (smooth), M峁泃sna (soft) and Sthira (stable). Major seats of Kapha are: thorax, throat, head, Kloma, joints, stomach, Rasa, meda, nose and tongue. This is of five types: Avala峁僢aka, Kledaka, Bodhaka, 艢le峁ka, Tarpaka.

context information

膧yurveda (啶嗋く啷佮ぐ啷嵿さ啷囙う, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of 膧yurveda 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)

: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Kapha is the body fluid principle which relates to mucus, lubrication, and the carrier of nutrients.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Kapha (啶曕か) refers to 鈥減hlegm鈥� and represents one of the seven magic powers, according to chapter 4.7 [sanatkum膩ra-cakrin-caritra] of Hemacandra鈥檚 11th century Tri峁峁ａ弓i艣al膩k膩puru峁caritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly:鈥斺€淸...] Magic powers were acquired by him enduring all the trials hard to endure, indifferent to any expedient for relief. The seven magic powers, namely: phlegm (kapha), 惫颈辫谤耻峁�, dried perspiration, impurity, excrement, touch, and also 鈥榚verything鈥�, are called remedies鈥�.

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, 鈥榮elf-reliance鈥�) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

India history and geography

: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Kaph膩.鈥攄8墨 (Chamba), same as kapahad8墨. Note: 办补辫丑腻 is defined in the 鈥淚ndian epigraphical glossary鈥� 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 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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

kapha (啶曕か).鈥攎 C (Or kapa) Cotton or similar substance used as tinder. 2 A block (with or without a pulley).

--- OR ---

kapha (啶曕か).鈥攎 (S) Phlegm, one of the three humors: also the mucus hawked up. 2 Watery froth or foam gen.

: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

kapha (啶曕か).鈥�m Phlegm; watery froth.

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

: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Kapha (啶曕か).鈥擺kena jalena phalati phal-岣峚 Tv.]

1) Phlegm, one of the three humours of the body (the other two being 惫腻迟补 and pitta); 啶曕か啶距お啶氞く啶距う啶距ぐ啷嬥啷嵿く啷堗啶啶侧ぎ啶距ざ啶ぞ啶椸啶ㄠた啶︵啶啶むた啶� (办补辫丑腻pacay膩d膩rogyaikam奴lam膩艣ay膩gnid墨pti岣�) Da艣akum膩racarita 16; 啶啶班ぞ啶｀お啷嵿ぐ啶ぞ啶｀じ啶く啷� 啶曕か啶掂ぞ啶むお啶苦い啷嵿い啷堗 啶曕ぃ啷嵿啶距さ啶班啶оえ啶掂た啶о 啶膏啶ぐ啶｀ 啶曕啶むじ啷嵿い啷� (pr膩峁嘺pray膩峁嘺samaye kapha惫腻迟补pittai岣� ka峁囜弓h膩varodhanavidhau smara峁嘺峁� kutaste) Udb.

2) A watery foam or froth in general.

Derivable forms: 办补辫丑补岣� (啶曕か啶�).

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

Kapha (啶曕か).鈥攎.

(-辫丑补岣�) 1. Phlegm, one of the three humours of the body. 2. Watery froth or foam in general. E. ka water, and phala to bud or flower, 岣峚 aff.

: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Kapha (啶曕か).鈥攎. Phlegm, one of the three humours of the body, [厂耻艣谤耻迟补] 1, 4, 8.

: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Kapha (啶曕か).鈥擺masculine] phlegm (one of the three humours of the body).

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

1) Kapha (啶曕か):鈥�m. phlegm (as one of the three humors of the body See also 惫腻测耻 and pitta), [厂耻艣谤耻迟补]

2) watery froth or foam in general (cf. abdhik, megha-k, etc.)

: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Kapha (啶曕か):鈥�(辫丑补岣�) 1. m. Phlegm; froth.

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

Kapha (啶曕か) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Kapha, Kaha.

[Sanskrit to German]

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled 啶膏啶膏啶曕啶むぎ啷� (蝉补峁僺办峁泃补尘), 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

: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

1) Kapha (啶曕か) [Also spelled cuff]:鈥�(nm) phlegm, mucus; ~[kara] phlegmatic; ~[苍腻艣补办补] anti-phlegmatic.

2) Kapha (啶曕か) [Also spelled cuff]:鈥�(nm) a cuff.

context information

...

Prakrit-English dictionary

: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary

Kapha (啶曕か) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Kapha.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

Kannada-English dictionary

: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Kapha (嗖曕搏):鈥�

1) [noun] phlegm a) that one of the three humors of the body, as per膩yurv膿da, which causes sluggishness or dullness; b) the thick, stringy mucus secreted by the mucous glands of the respiratory tract and discharged from the throat, as during a cold.

2) [noun] a usu. allergic respiratory disease, often with paroxysms of difficult breathing; asthma.

context information

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

Nepali dictionary

: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

Kapha (啶曕か):鈥攏. 1. phlegm; spittle; 2. one of the tree humors of the body, viz. 啶曕か, 啶た啶む啶�, 啶掂ぞ啶� [kapha, pitta, 惫腻迟补 ] ;

context information

Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.

Relevant text

Search found 86 books and stories containing Kapha, Kaph膩; (plurals include: Kaphas, Kaph膩s). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

12. The Five Kaphas < [Chapter 7 - The Physiological and the Pathological concepts of Tridosha Theory]

7. Classification of the Three Dosas < [Chapter 7 - The Physiological and the Pathological concepts of Tridosha Theory]

5. Physical properties of Kapha < [Chapter 7 - The Physiological and the Pathological concepts of Tridosha Theory]

+ 28 more chapters / show preview

Interrelationship between tridosha and nadi < [2023: Volume 12, January issue 1]

Study of udana vayu its ayurvedic and applied aspecta review < [2020: Volume 9, June issue 6]

Role of chitrak haritki avaleh in pratishaya < [2022: Volume 11, August issue 11]

+ 4048 more chapters

Relation of prakruti and ahara w.s.r to dietary routine and recommendations < [2016, Issue VIII August]

Role of ayurveda in adolescent age < [2018, Issue III, march,]

AN INSIDE REVIEW OF DANTA SHAREER w.s.r. to KRIMIDANTA (DENTAL CARIES) < [2020, Issue 12, December]

+ 2865 more chapters / show preview