Terms with Seven or More Meanings

Sanskrit: सप्तार्थकबह्वर्थकनामानि

Terms with seven or more meanings. These represent the most polysemous terms in Ayurvedic nomenclature. Examples include: 1. Bala (बल) — Has multiple meanings including Sida cordifolia plant, strength/power, military forces, a young child, and several other referents. 2. Rasa (रस) — Has many meanings including juice, taste, mercury, essence, emotion, and several more. These highly polysemous terms are the most prone to misidentification and require the greatest care in textual interpretation.

What is Terms with Seven or More Meanings (Saptarthaka and Bahvarthaka / सप्तार्थक एवं बह्वर्थक)?

Terms with seven or more meanings. These represent the most polysemous terms in Ayurvedic nomenclature. Examples include: 1. Bala (बल) — Has multiple meanings including Sida cordifolia plant, strength/power, military forces, a young child, and several other referents. 2. Rasa (रस) — Has many meanings including juice, taste, mercury, essence, emotion, and several more. These highly polysemous terms are the most prone to misidentification and require the greatest care in textual interpretation.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 23

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