As a deity name
Name 57 of the Ganesha Sahasranāma — Ganesha Purana (Upasana Khanda), as taught by Sage Vyasa / Lord Ganesha
As a Hindi name
शालक · noun · masculine
पटुआ । नाड़ी शाक · मसखरा । दिल्लगीबाज । भाँड़ · एक प्रकार का राग — Śabdasāgara
As a Sanskrit word
Meaning
a jester, buffoon, Sch.
Scripturally attested Verified derivationMultiple readings (12)Why this matches what you typed
M3 · meaning shifts "śālaka" is derived from "śāla" with the ka/kan suffix — a related word whose meaning shifts, so both meanings are shown.
1. śāla mfn. (fr. śṛ for śri) being in a house &c., ŚBr. (˚lam ind. ‘at home’, ib.)
śāla m. (also written sāla), an enclosure, court, fence, rampart, wall, Inscr.; Kāv.
śālaka mfn. (ifc.) = 1. śāla or = śālā (see tri-, pīta-, priya-ś˚)
śālaka m. (prob.) a jester, buffoon, Pāṇ. i, 4, 106, Sch.
Dictionary citations
śālaka mfn. (ifc.) = 1. śāla or = śālā (see tri-, pīta-, priya-ś˚)
śālaka m. (prob.) a jester, buffoon, Pāṇ. i, 4, 106, Sch.
1. śāla mfn. (fr. śṛ for śri) being in a house &c., ŚBr. (˚lam ind. ‘at home’, ib.)
śāla m. (also written sāla), an enclosure, court, fence, rampart, wall, Inscr.; Kāv.
Alternative readings
More than one analysis survives full verification. That ambiguity is real, so we show every reading rather than pick one silently.
Caveats
Sources contain errors and engines have limits; every claim above carries its citation so you can verify it. This is guidance about names and their sources — not religious or astrological consultation. How we work · Our sources