|
Mahāmrityunjaya Mantra
The ''Mahamrityunjaya Mantra'' (), also known as the ''Rudra Mantra'' or ''Tryambakam Mantra'', is a verse (''ṛc'') of the ''Rigveda'' (RV 7.59.12). The ''ṛc'' is addressed to Tryambaka, "The Three-eyed One", an epithet of Rudra who is identified with Shiva in Shaivism. The verse also recurs in the ''Yajurveda'' ( TS 1.8.6; VS 3.60). The mantra The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra reads: : : Translation by Jamison and Brereton: : "We sacrifice to Tryambaka the fragrant, increaser of prosperity.Like a cucumber from its stem, might I be freed from death, not from deathlessness." Origin The mantra first appears in Rigveda 7.59.12, which is a composite hymn attributed to Vasiṣṭha Maitrāvaruṇi. The last four verses (in which the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is found) are late additions to the hymn, and they make references to the Sākamedha, the last of the four-monthly rituals. The Sākamedha ends with an oblation to Rudra Tryambaka, which is why the last verse of the four ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rigveda
The ''Rigveda'' or ''Rig Veda'' (, , from wikt:ऋच्, ऋच्, "praise" and wikt:वेद, वेद, "knowledge") is an ancient Indian Miscellany, collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns (''sūktas''). It is one of the four sacred canonical Hindu texts (''śruti'') known as the Vedas. Only one Shakha of the many survive today, namely the Shakala Shakha, Śakalya Shakha. Much of the contents contained in the remaining Shakhas are now lost or are not available in the public forum. The ''Rigveda'' is the oldest known Vedic Sanskrit text. Its early layers are among the oldest extant texts in any Indo-European language. Most scholars believe that the sounds and texts of the ''Rigveda'' have been orally transmitted with precision since the 2nd millennium BCE, through Indian mathematics#Styles of memorisation, methods of memorisation of exceptional complexity, rigour and fidelity, though the dates are not confirmed and remain contentious till concrete evidence surfaces. Philolog ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vibhuti
In Hinduism, ''vibhuti'' (), also called ''bhasmam'' or ''tirunīru'', is sacred ash made of burnt dried wood, burnt cow dung and/or cremated bodies used in Agamic rituals. Devotees of Shiva apply ''vibhuti'' traditionally as three horizontal lines across the forehead (also known as '' tripundra)'' and other parts of the body. According to the '' Shiva Purana'', the particles of ash which cling to the skin when ''tripundra'' is applied are to be considered to be individual lingams. The scriptures further state that ''bhasma'' purifies the soul and elevates the devotee of Shiva, and that works done without wearing ''bhasma'' are fruitless. There are various methods for the application of the ashes, according to the ''Shiva Purana'', and various mantras to be recited during application. Other uses Another meaning of ''vibhuti'' is a 'glorious form', in contrast with avatar, a reincarnation of Brahman. In the third chapter of the Yoga Sutras, which is called ''vibhuti-pada'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shanti Mantras
The Shanti Mantras, or Pancha Shanti mantras, are Hindu prayers for peace (''Inner peace, shanti'') found in the Upanishads. Generally, they are recited at the beginning and end of religious rituals and discourses. Shanti Mantras are invoked in the beginning of some topics of the Upanishads. They are believed to calm the mind and the environment of the reciter. Shanti Mantras always end with the sacred syllable ''om'' (''auṃ'') and three utterances of the word "''shanti''", which means "peace". The reason for the three utterances is regarded to be for the removal of obstacles in the following three realms: * The physical or ''ādhibhautika'' realm can be a source of obstacles coming from the external world, such as from wild animals, people, natural calamities. * The divine or ''ādhidaivika'' realm can be a source of obstacles coming from the extra-sensory world of spirits, ghosts, deities and demigods. * The internal or ''ādhyātmika'' realm is a source of obstacles arisin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Om Namah Shivaya
Om Namah Shivaya (Sanskrit, Hindi, Devanagari: ; IAST: Oṃ Namaḥ Śivāya) is one of the most popular Hindu mantras and the most important mantra in Shaivism. Namah Shivaya means "O salutations to the auspicious one!", or "adoration to Lord Shiva". It is called Shiva Panchakshara Stotra, Siva Panchakshara, or Shiva Panchakshara or simply Panchakshara meaning the "five-syllable" mantra (viz., excluding the ''Om'') and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Shiva. This Mantra appears as 'Na' 'Ma' 'Śi' 'Vā' and 'Ya' in the Shri Rudram Chamakam which is a part of the Krishna Yajurveda and also in the Rudrashtadhyayi which is a part of the Shukla Yajurveda. The five-syllabled mantra (excluding the Oṁ) may be chanted by all persons including Sudras, śūdras and Chandala, cāṇḍalas; however the six-syllabled mantra (with Oṁ included) may only be spoken by Dvija, dvijas. Origin of the mantra The mantra without the initial Om was originally a verse in the eighth hymn of the ''Namak ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shri Rudram Chamakam
''Shri Rudram'' ( ), is a Vedic mantra or chant in homage to Rudra (an epithet of Shiva) taken from the ''Krishna Yajurveda's'' ''Taittiriya Samhita'' (TS 4.5, 4.7). In Shukla Yajurveda, it is found in Chapters 16 and 18. It is composed of two parts: the ''Namakam'' and ''Chamakam''. ''Chamakam'' () is added by scriptural tradition to the ''Shri Rudram''. The text is important in Shaivism, where Shiva is viewed as the Parabrahman. The hymn is an early example of enumerating the names of a deity.C Fuller (2001), ''Orality, literacy and memorisation: priestly education in contemporary south India'', Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 35, Issue 1, pages 14-15 with footnote 6 ''Shri Rudram'' is also famous for its mention of the Shaivite holy mantra '' Namah Shivaya'', which appears in the text of the ' in the eighth ''anuvāka'' of ''Taittiriya Samhita'' (TS 4.5.8.1). In Shukla Yajurveda it is found in chapter 16, verse 41. It also contains the mantra ''Aum namo bhagavate rudraya'' an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Homa (ritual)
In Indian religions, a homa (Sanskrit: होम), also known as havan, is a fire ritual performed on special occasions. In Hinduism, by a Hindu priest usually for a homeowner (" grihastha": one possessing a home). The grihasth keeps different kinds of fire including one to cook food, heat a home, among other uses; therefore, a Yajna offering is made directly into the fire. A homa is sometimes called a "sacrifice ritual" because the fire destroys the offering, but a homa is more accurately a " votive ritual". The fire is the agent, and the offerings include those that are material and symbolic such as grains, ghee, milk, incense, and seeds. It is rooted in the Vedic religion, and was also adopted in ancient times by Buddhism and Jainism. The practice spread from India to Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Homa rituals remain an important part of many Hindu ceremonies, and variations of homa continue to be practiced in current-day Buddhism, particularly in parts ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Japa
''Japa'' () is the meditative repetition of a mantra or a divine name. It is a practice found in Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, with parallels found in other religions. ''Japa'' may be performed while sitting in a meditation posture, while performing other activities, or as part of formal worship in group settings. The mantra or name may be spoken softly, loud enough for the practitioner to hear it, or it may be recited silently within the practitioner's mind. Etymology The Sanskrit word ''japa'' is derived from the root ''jap-'', meaning "to utter in a low voice, repeat internally, mutter". It can be further defined as ''ja'' to destroy birth, death, and reincarnation and ''pa'' meaning to destroy ones sins. Monier-Williams states that the term appears in Vedic literature such as in the Aitareya Brahmana (Rigveda) and the Shatapatha Brahmana (Yajurveda). The term means muttering, whispering or murmuring passages from the scripture, or charms, or names of deity. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Moksha
''Moksha'' (; , '), also called ''vimoksha'', ''vimukti'', and ''mukti'', is a term in Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism for various forms of emancipation, liberation, '' nirvana'', or release. In its soteriological and eschatological senses, it refers to freedom from '' saṃsāra'', the cycle of death and rebirth. In its epistemological and psychological senses, ''moksha'' is freedom from ignorance: self-realization, self-actualization and self-knowledge. In Hindu traditions, ''moksha'' is a central concept and the utmost aim of human life; the other three aims are ''dharma'' (virtuous, proper, moral life), '' artha'' (material prosperity, income security, means of life), and '' kama'' (pleasure, sensuality, emotional fulfillment). Together, these four concepts are called Puruṣārtha in Hinduism. In some schools of Indian religions, ''moksha'' is considered equivalent to and used interchangeably with other terms such as ''vimoksha'', ''vimukti'', '' kaivalya'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
RV 7
The seventh Mandala of the Rigveda ("book 7", "RV 7") has 104 hymns. In the Rigveda Anukramani, all hymns in this book are attributed to '' Vashista''. Hymn 32 is additionally credited to Sakti Vashista, and hymns 101-102 (to Parjanya) are additionally credited to Kumara Agneya. It is one of the "family books" (mandalas 2-7), the oldest core of the Rigveda, which were composed in early vedic period (1500-1000 BCE). The hymns are dedicated to Agni, Indra, the Visvadevas, the Maruts, Mitra-Varuna, the Asvins, Ushas (Dawn), Indra-Varuna, Varuna, Vayu (Wind), two each to Sarasvati, Rudra, the Waters, the Adityas, Vishnu, Vastospati, Brhaspati, one each to the Apris, to Vashista, Savitar, Bhaga, the Dadhikras, the Rbhus, Dyaus and Prthivi (Heaven and Earth), Parjanya (Rain) and Indra- Soma. 7.103 is dedicated to the frogs. The rivers mentioned in the 7th Mandala are the Sarasvati, Asikni, Parusni and possibly the Yamuna (in 7.18.19 the name of a helper of Ind ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vasishtha
Vasishtha (, ) is one of the oldest and revered Vedic rishis or sages, and one of the Saptarishis (seven great Rishis). Vasishtha is credited as the chief author of Mandala 7 of the ''Rigveda''. Vasishtha and his family are mentioned in Rigvedic verse 10.167.4, other Rigvedic mandalas and in many Vedic texts. His ideas have been influential and he was called the first sage of the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy by Adi Shankara. The '' Yoga Vasishtha'', ''Vasishtha Samhita'', as well as some versions of the '' Agni Purana'' and ''Vishnu Purana'' are attributed to him. He is the subject of many stories, such as him being in possession of the divine cow Kamadhenu and Nandini her child, who could grant anything to their owners. He is famous in Hindu stories for his legendary conflicts with sage Vishvamitra. In the Ramayana, he was the family priest of the Raghu dynasty and teacher of Rama and his brothers. Etymology Vasishtha is also spelled as ' and is Sanskrit for "most ex ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
