elavAlu

elavālu (ka)

Much confusion exists concerning this substance as will become
apparent from the material collected:
(1) Bpn, karpūrādivarga 120: it is also called kapitthatvac (the bark
of kapittha). Acc. to the Hindī comm. (p. 262-263) the substance is
described somewhere in Bhā. pra. as resembling kaṅkola and smelling
like kuṣṭha. In the same comm. three different identifications are made [Page-531+ 39]
mention of: a) PRUNUS CERASUS LINN., b) GISEKIA PHARNACIOIDES
LINN., c) MUKIA SCABRELLA ARN. (Index Kewensis: MELOTHRIA
MADERASPATANA COGN. = MUKIA SCABRELLA ARN. = MUKIA MADERA-
SPATANA M. ROEM).
(2) DWH 2, p. 105-107: GISEKIA PHARNACIOIDES LINN.; p. 105:
“This plant is called in Sanskrit vāluka and elavāluka on account of
the number of large raphides contained in the leaves, and which give
them the appearance of being full of sand (vālu).” (Raphides are
minute intracellular crystals, usually of an acicular form).
(3) Gul: cherry tree (PRUNUS CERASUS LINN.).
(4) HB, p. 21: GISEKIA PHARNACIOIDES LINN.; ibid., footnote 70:
“elavālu is mentioned Su. Sū. 38, 14, where Ḍa.’s comm. explains it as
a reddish powder (harivāluka), resembling that of the seeds of the
kṛṣṇagandhā (kṛṣṇagandhikaphala). The latter is a name of the horse-
radish tree or śigru or śobhāñjana;” ibid., p. 91, footnote 74: “In
the Phar. Ind. (= DWH) 2, p. 105, it is wrongly identified with vāluka;
the seeds, supplied to me by a native druggist, seem to be simply those
of chickweed.”
(5) HK: quotes the identifications of PW and Hoernle.
(6) Kav, p. 37: a kind of red powder made of some seeds obtainable
of every native druggist, not identified; p. 294: a fragrant powder of
a bark sold under that name; it is believed to come from the Spice
Islands; p. 642: Gaṅgādhara takes it as implying tejavala, a kind of
wood apparently dry but juicy within; it is brought from Nepal.
(7) KB 2, p. 1187-1188: GISEKIA PHARNACIOIDES LINN.
(8) MW: the fragrant bark of FERONIA ELEPHANTUM (kapitthatvac);
a granular substance (apparently a vegetable of a reddish-brown
colour, used as a drug and perfume).
(9) PW: the fragrant bark of FERONIA ELEPHANTUM (kapitthatvac),
used medicinally.
(10) V 7, p. 67: GISEKIA PHARNACIOIDES.
(11) Vśs: name of a perfume; a red powder sold under that name;
the seed of some plant.
(12) Ḍa. on Su. Sū. 38, 14 (printed ed., different from Hoernle’s text):
“a reddish powder (harivāluka), resembling the black, fragrant kaṭpha-
la;” kaṭphala is usually identified as MYRICA NAGI THUNB.

lnum: 32

image: 530

cologne link: एलवालु