Alternative spellings of this word includePuchchha.

In Hinduism

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Puccha (पुच्छ) refers to the “tail” (of Rāhu), according to theBṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 5), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “Some say that Rāhu, theasura, though his head was cut, dies not but lives in the shape of a planet having tasted of ambrosia. That he has a disc like the sun and moon and as that disc is black it is invisible when in the sky except on the occasion of eclipses in virtue of a boon from Brahmā. Others say that he resembles a serpent in shape with his head severed from his tail [i.e.,puccha]; a few that he is bodiless, that he is mere darkness and that he is the son of Siṃhikā. [...]”.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष,jyotiṣa orjyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Puccha (पुच्छ) or “tail” refers to one of the thirteen sources of Jaṅgama (mobile) poison, as described in 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).—Kaśyapa states in the fourth Adhyāya that Śiva taught him that poisons are of five kinds viz. immobile, mobile, artificial, caused by planets and (arising out of) doubt. The sources of these five kinds ofviṣa, Kaśyapasaṃhitā deals mainly with thesthāvara (immobile),jaṅgama (mobile) poison according to Kaśyapa are thirteen in number [viz., tail (puccha)].

Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)

Puccha (पुच्छ) refers to the “tail” (of an elephant), according to the 15th centuryMātaṅgalīlā composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 6, “on determination of measurements”]: “12. Below the flanks are the two hindquarters to be recognized; theniṣkośa at (between?) flank and back; the belly after these two; (after or behind?) these two (niṣkośas) are the two parts named theutkṛṣṭas (‘elevated parts’). 13. But the region of the tail root (puccha-mūla-samīpa) shall be (called) thepecaka. Below the throat, upon the breast, one shall recognize theantarmaṇi, fastened at the joint of the neck”

context information

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.

Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)

Puccha (पुच्छ) refers to the “tail (of a bird)”, according to theŚyainika-śāstra: a Sanskrit treatise dealing with the divisions and benefits of Hunting and Hawking, written by Rājā Rudradeva (or Candradeva) in possibly the 13th century.—Accordingly, [while discussing the yellow-eyed division of hawks]: “The Vājas are of five kinds. Their descriptions are given separately. [...] Mahārāvaṇa, the king of Vājas, is that in whose tail and feathers (puccha-chada) are to be found marks like the Aśvatha or pipal leaf. Only one who has heaped up much religious merit becomes the possessor of such a pleasure-giving bird. It is called Mahārāvaṇa because it makes other birds cry in fear on its approach”.

context information

This section covers the skills and profiencies of the Kalas (“performing arts”) and Shastras (“sciences”) involving ancient Indian traditions of sports, games, arts, entertainment, love-making and other means of wordly enjoyments. Traditionally these topics were dealt with in Sanskrit treatises explaing the philosophy and the justification of enjoying the pleasures of the senses.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Puccha (पुच्छ) refers to the “tails (of Nāgas)”, according to theVajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, [as the Bhagavān teaches the offering manual of the root-heart] “[...] If Nāgas are desirous of destroying that province, hot sand will fall on their heads. As many heads, tails (puccha) and trunks they have, that many sword-rain showers fall on their bodies. Then all Nāgas will roam terrified and frightened. Then they send forth rain showers in Jambudvīpa duly at the proper time. All hostile Nāgas will be subdued. [...]”

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are manysūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

puccha :(nt.)tail. || pucchā (f.) a question.

Puccha, (nt.) (cp. Vedic puccha (belonging with punar to Lat. puppis) & P. piccha) a tail DhsA. 365 (dog’s tail). See puñcikata. (Page 463)

— or —

Pucchā, (f.) (cp. Class. Sk. pṛcchā=Ohg. forsca question) a questionSn. 1023; SnA 46, 200, 230. A system of questions (“questionnaire”) is given in the Niddesa (and Commentaries), consisting of 12 groups of three questions each. In full at Nd1 339, 340=Nd2 under pucchā (p. 208). The first group comprises the three adiṭṭha-jotanā pucchā, diṭṭha-sa ‘sandanā p. , vimaticchedanā p. These three with addition of anumati p. and kathetu-kamyatā p. also at DA. I, 68=DhsA. 55. The complete list is referred to at SnA 159.—apuccha (adj.) that which is not a question,i.e. that which should not be askedMiln. 316.—puccha-vissajjanā question and answer PvA. 2.—At Nett 18 p. occurs as quâsi synonym of icchā and patthanā. (Page 463)

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Marathi-English dictionary

puccha (पुच्छ).—n (S) A tail.puccha phuṭaṇēṃ-vāḍhaṇēṃ-lāmbaṇēṃTo be extended or enlarged beyond the original computation--a business, expenses, labor.

puccha (पुच्छ).—n A tail.puccha phuṭaṇēṃ-vāḍhaṇēṃ-lāmbaṇēṃTo be extended beyond the originalcomputation-business, expenses, labour.

Sanskrit dictionary

Puccha (पुच्छ).—

1) A tail in general;पश्चात् पुच्छं वहति विपुलम् (paścāt pucchaṃ vahati vipulam) Uttararāmacarita 4.27.

2) A hairy tail.

3) A peacock's tail.

4) The hinder part.

5) The end of anything.

Derivable forms:pucchaḥ (पुच्छः),puccham (पुच्छम्).

Puccha (पुच्छ).—mn.

(-cchaḥ-cchaṃ) 1. A tail, the tail, the hinder part. 2. A horse’s tail. 3. The tail of the peacock. 4. Any hairy tail. 5. The end of anything. E.puccha to be careless,ac aff.

Puccha (पुच्छ).—m. and n. 1. A tail, [Draupadīpramātha] 5, 8. 2. The hinder part, Mahābhārata 7, 206.

Puccha (पुच्छ).—[masculine] [neuter] tail; poss.vant†.

1) Puccha (पुच्छ):—mn. (ifc. f(ā orī).cf. [Pāṇini 4-1, 55], [vArttika] 1-3) a tail, the hinder part, [Atharva-veda] etc. etc.

2) last or extreme end (as of a year), [Śāṅkhāyana-brāhmaṇa]

Puccha (पुच्छ):—[(cchaḥ-cchaṃ)] 1.m. n. A tail.

[Sanskrit to German]

Puccha in German

Puccha (पुच्छ) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word:Puṃcha.

Hindi dictionary

Puccha (पुच्छ) [Also spelled puchchh]:—(nm) a tail, tail-like structure; rear, hind part.

Prakrit-English dictionary

1) Puccha (पुच्छ) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word:Pracch.

2) Pucchā (पुच्छा) also relates to the Sanskrit word:Pṛcchā.

Kannada-English dictionary

Puccha (ಪುಚ್ಛ):—

1) [noun] =ಪುಕ್ಕ[pukka]3.

2) [noun] the distinct flexible appendage to the rear end of the body of a few types of animals as dog, tiger, elephant; a tail.

3) [noun] the rear portion of anything.

4) [noun] the end or terminating portion (in the rear portion).

5) [noun] anything appended; adjunct.

Nepali dictionary

Puccha (पुच्छ):—n. 1. a tail (in general); 2. a hairy tail;

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text