What Does Puta Mean? Exploring the Multifaceted Definitions

Introduction

The term “Puta” originates from ancient Indian languages and traditions, carrying a rich tapestry of meanings across various disciplines. Far from being a simple, singular definition, “Puta” reveals itself as a multifaceted word, deeply embedded in the cultural, religious, scientific, and linguistic heritage of India and surrounding regions. Understanding “What Does Puta Mean” requires a journey through Hinduism, Buddhism, Ayurveda, Natyashastra, and several Indian languages including Pali, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi, and more. This exploration will uncover the diverse applications and interpretations of this intriguing term.

A stone carving depicting a footprint, representative of the diverse cultural contexts where the term “Puta” is found, from religious art to medicinal practices.

Puta in Hinduism

Within the vast landscape of Hinduism, “Puta” assumes a variety of meanings, often related to purity, containment, and specific processes within different schools of thought.

Ayurveda: The Science of Life

In Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine system, “Puta” (पुट) is prominently featured, particularly in Rasashastra, the branch dealing with alchemy and herbo-mineral preparations. Here, “Puta” refers to burning pits used in the calcination process of minerals. This process, crucial in preparing Ayurvedic medicines, involves intense heating to purify and transform raw materials like mercury, mica, and gold into medicinal bhasmas (ashes).

The Puta process is not merely about heating; it’s a carefully orchestrated procedure, almost considered a yantra (instrument) due to its complexity. It dictates the degree of incineration, ensuring the raw materials are properly transformed for therapeutic use. Different types of Puta exist, each with specific arrangements and heating levels depending on the desired bhasma. Essentially, in Ayurveda, Puta represents a graded heating system essential for transforming metals, minerals, and marine products into potent medicines.

An Ayurveda book cover, symbolizing the ancient Indian system of medicine where “Puta” signifies a crucial process in preparing herbo-mineral remedies.

Natyashastra: The Art of Theatre and Drama

Moving from medicine to the performing arts, “Puta” (पुट) in Natyashastra, the ancient Indian treatise on dramaturgy and dance, takes on a completely different meaning. In this context, Puta refers to eyelids. According to Natyashastra, eyelids are considered one of the upangas or subsidiary limbs, essential for Angikabhinaya – the gesture language of the limbs used in classical Indian dance forms like Bharatanatyam.

The Natyashastra meticulously details nine distinct gestures of the eyelids (puta), each corresponding to the movements of the eyeballs (tara). These eyelid gestures, such as unmesha (opening), nimesha (closing), and prasrita (expanding), are vital components of histrionic representation (abhinaya) in Indian classical dance and theatre. Furthermore, Puta is also mentioned as another name for Patuvritta, a type of syllabic metre in Sanskrit prosody, highlighting its presence in poetic structures as well.

A Natyashastra book cover, illustrating the ancient Indian treatise where “Puta” refers to eyelids as key elements in expressive dance and drama.

Chandas: The Study of Sanskrit Meter

In the realm of Chandas, the study of Sanskrit prosody and poetic meters, “Puta” (पुट) is identified as one of the 135 metres mentioned in Vrittaratnavali by Nanjunda. This signifies “Puta’s” role in the structure and rhythm of Sanskrit poetry, showcasing its application in linguistic and literary contexts. The specific characteristics of the “Puta” metre are defined by the arrangement of light (laghu) and heavy (guru) syllables within a four-line verse (pada), each containing twelve syllables.

A book cover on Chandas, representing the field of Sanskrit prosody where “Puta” denotes a specific poetic meter.

Shaktism: The Shakta Philosophy

Within Shaktism, the Hindu tradition revering the Goddess Devi, “Puta” (पुट) takes on a more esoteric meaning. According to the ManthÄnabhairavatantra, a significant Tantric text, Puta refers to a capsule. Specifically, it describes the visarga-puta-madhyastha, “established in the middle of the capsule of emission,” within a complex spiritual and energetic context related to goddess worship and yogic practices. This “capsule” is associated with energy (kala) and the raining down of nectar, symbolizing a mystical and transformative concept within Shakta philosophy.

A Shaktism book cover, indicative of the Hindu tradition where “Puta” symbolizes a “capsule” in esoteric Tantric texts.

Kavya: Sanskrit Poetry

In Kavya, or Sanskrit poetry, “Puta” (पुट) is referenced in a literary context, specifically in Bana’s Kadambari. Here, Puta refers to the cavities of the ears (shravana-puta). This usage highlights the word’s broader meaning related to hollow spaces or receptacles, extending beyond physical containers to anatomical features. Bana’s use of “ear-cavities” in Kadambari illustrates the term’s nuanced application within descriptive and metaphorical language in Sanskrit literature.

A Kavya book cover, representing Sanskrit poetry, where “Puta” can refer to the “cavities of the ears” in literary works.

Shaivism: Shaiva Philosophy

In Shaivism, the Hindu tradition centered on the worship of Shiva, “Puta” (पूत) in its form Puta, signifies (having) purified. This meaning is found in the Matsyendrasamhita, a 13th-century Kubjika-Tripura-oriented Tantric Yoga text. In this context, Puta relates to ritual purification, particularly in practices involving wine and meat consumption. The text emphasizes purifying wine with mantras before drinking and purifying meat before consumption, highlighting the importance of ritual cleansing within Shaiva Tantric practices.

A Shaivism book cover, symbolizing the Hindu tradition where “Puta” signifies “purified” within ritualistic contexts.

Purana and Itihasa: Epic History and Mythology

Within the Purana and Itihasa, the vast body of Sanskrit literature preserving ancient Indian history and mythology, “Puta” (पूत), again as Puta, signifies having sanctified (one’s body) (due to austerities). This meaning appears in the Shivapurana, where it describes the sage Pippalada, whose body is puta-vigraha – sanctified by austerities. This usage underscores “Puta’s” connection to purity achieved through spiritual practices and asceticism, reflecting a moral and spiritual dimension of the term.

A Purana book cover, representing ancient Indian epic history where “Puta” can mean “sanctified” through austerities.

Puta in Buddhism

“Puta” also finds relevance in Buddhism, particularly in Tibetan Buddhism, where it pertains to the structure of mandalas.

Tibetan Buddhism: Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism

In Tibetan Buddhism, specifically within the context of the Herukamandala, “Puta” (पुट) refers to the four layers (puta) of this five-fold mandala. The Herukamandala, central to the Samvara scriptural tradition, is structured into these four layers, representing the Buddha’s fourfold body. These layers are:

1. Sahaja (innate)
2. Dharma (dharma)
3. Sambhogha (enjoyment)
4. Nirmana (emanation)

In this Buddhist context, “Puta” signifies a layer or level within a complex spiritual and cosmological framework, highlighting the term’s application in describing structured arrangements.

A Tibetan Buddhism book cover, illustrating the Buddhist tradition where “Puta” denotes “layers” within mandalas.

Puta in Biology

Interestingly, “Puta” extends beyond religious and philosophical contexts into the realm of biology.

Biology (Plants and Animals)

In India, “Puta” is also the name of a plant identified as Commiphora mukul, also known as Indian Bedellium or Guggul. This plant is significant in Ayurveda and traditional medicine for its medicinal properties. In this biological context, “Puta” is simply a plant name, showcasing the word’s presence in natural nomenclature and its connection to the botanical world.

A Biology book cover, representing the field of biology where “Puta” is the name of a medicinal plant, Commiphora mukul.

Puta in Languages of India

“Puta” is deeply rooted in numerous languages of India, each contributing nuances to its meaning.

Pali-English Dictionary

In Pali, an ancient Indian language closely related to Sanskrit and the language of Theravada Buddhism, “Puta” (पुट) primarily means container. It can refer to:

• A container, usually made of leaves, for carrying fruits or provisions – a leaf-basket or pocket.
• A bag or sack, especially for food carried on a journey – a knapsack.
• A tube or hollow, such as a nostril (nasa-puta) or the hollow of the hand (hattha-puta).
• A box or container in general.

The Pali usage emphasizes the container aspect of “Puta,” highlighting its tangible, physical meaning related to holding or enclosing something.

A Pali book cover, representing the Pali language where “Puta” primarily signifies “container” in various forms.

Marathi-English Dictionary

In Marathi, a major Indo-Aryan language spoken in India, “Puta” (पुट) retains the sense of something folded or doubled to form a cup or concavity. This includes:

• A cup formed by hands or leaves.
• A valve of a shell.
• A hemisphere.
• A single application or coating, particularly in preparing medicines.
• A nostril (nasika-puta).
• A crucible.

Marathi expands on the “container” meaning, emphasizing the shape and form of a cup or concavity, while also retaining the medicinal application aspect.

A Marathi dictionary cover, illustrating the Marathi language where “Puta” means “folded cup” and related concepts.

Sanskrit Dictionary

Sanskrit, the classical language of India, offers a comprehensive range of meanings for “Puta” (पुट):

• Fold.
• Hollow space, cavity, concavity, including anatomical cavities like nasaputa (nostril) and karnaputa (ear cavity).
• A cup made of folded leaves, a vessel of leaves.
• Any shallow receptacle.
• The pod or capsule enveloping young shoots.
• A sheath, cover, covering.
• An eyelid (putri is also eyelid).
• A horse’s hoof.
• A cloth to cover privities.
• A casket.
• The contracting or folding of anything.
• Two vessels joined for medical purposes.
• Nutmeg.

Sanskrit provides the most extensive definition set, encompassing both concrete and abstract meanings, from physical containers and body parts to processes and objects. The term Puta in Sanskrit is incredibly versatile, reflecting its deep historical and cultural significance.

A Sanskrit dictionary cover, representing the Sanskrit language where “Puta” has a wide array of meanings, including “fold,” “cavity,” and “container.”

Hindi Dictionary

In Hindi, a widely spoken Indo-Aryan language, “Puta” (पुट) carries meanings related to:

• Seasoning, slight admixture.
• Light touch, a little mixing.
• A hollow space, concavity (anjaliputa – hollowed palms).
• Fold, cavity (karnaputa – ear cavity).
• Putapaka, a specific Ayurvedic drug preparation method involving wrapping substances in leaves and heating.

Hindi usage retains the “hollow space” and “cavity” senses, and importantly, links “Puta” to a specific Ayurvedic medicinal preparation technique, highlighting its continued relevance in traditional practices.

A Hindi dictionary cover, illustrating the Hindi language where “Puta” signifies “seasoning,” “cavity,” and an Ayurvedic drug preparation method.

Kannada-English Dictionary

Kannada, a Dravidian language spoken in South India, presents a diverse set of meanings for “Puta” (ಪುಟ):

• Page of a book.
• Folded layer.
• Hollowed place.
• Leaf cup.
• Anything enveloped by leaves.
• Shallow cup-like vessel.
• Hollowed palms.
• Lid or cover.
• Loin-cloth.
• Eyelid.
• Early plant ear.
• Casket.
• Horse hoof.
• Nutmeg.
• Nostril.
• Crucible.
• Ayurvedic medicine preparation method.
• Layer of mud or cement.
• Gold purification.
• Prosodic metre.

Kannada expands “Puta’s” meaning significantly, incorporating both container-related definitions and more abstract concepts like “page” and “layer,” while still retaining connections to Ayurveda and ritualistic practices.

A Kannada dictionary cover, representing the Kannada language where “Puta” can mean “page,” “fold,” “crucible,” and more.

Tamil Dictionary

In Tamil, another major Dravidian language, “Puta” (புத) takes on fewer but distinct meanings:

• Gate or door (putha).
• Crane or heron (putha).
• A principal tubular vessel of the human body (puta as puta).

Tamil usage diverges somewhat, focusing on “Puta” as related to entrances (“gate,” “door”), birds (“crane,” “heron”), and anatomical structures (“tubular vessel”), showcasing the language’s unique interpretation of the term.

A Tamil dictionary cover, illustrating the Tamil language where “Puta” can mean “gate,” “crane,” or a “tubular vessel.”

Nepali Dictionary

Nepali, an Indo-Aryan language spoken in Nepal, defines “Puta” (पुट) as:

• Proof or evidence.
• Fold.
• Hollow space, cavity.
• Vessel of leaves.
• Shallow receptacle.
• Sheath, cover.
• Hand cup.
• Pod or capsule.

Nepali usage aligns closely with Sanskrit and Hindi, emphasizing the “container,” “hollow space,” and “covering” aspects of “Puta,” while also introducing the meaning of “proof” or evidence, adding a unique dimension.

A Nepali dictionary cover, representing the Nepali language where “Puta” signifies “proof,” “fold,” and “hollow space.”

Conclusion

Exploring “what does puta mean” reveals a word of remarkable depth and versatility. From its roots in ancient Indian traditions to its presence in modern languages, “Puta” demonstrates a rich semantic evolution. Its meanings span from concrete objects like containers, cups, and eyelids, to abstract concepts like purification, layers, and poetic meters. Understanding “Puta” requires appreciating its context – whether in Ayurveda, Natyashastra, Sanskrit literature, or various Indian languages. This multifaceted nature makes “Puta” a fascinating example of how a single word can embody a wealth of cultural, scientific, and linguistic heritage.

For further exploration, consider delving into the provided resources and related definitions to deepen your understanding of “Puta” and its diverse applications across Indian traditions.