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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Devatāvāhanāntavidhāna (देवतावाहनान्तविधान) (lit. “rules up through invocation of gods for mahotsava proceedings”) is the name of chapter 16 (Kriyākāṇḍa) of the Pārameśvarasaṃhitā: an important Pāñcarātra text of 8700 verses followed closely by the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam—dealing with priestly concerns such as their daily routines, occasional liturgies and expiatory services.

Description of the chapter [devatāvāhanāntavidhāna]: Sanaka asks about festivals. He is told that the meaning of utsava [festival] is as a “remover” [ut] of “misery” [sava]. These utsava-occasions come regularly at stated times (nitya) or irregularly as occasions require (naimittika) or as one schedules them for a particular purpose (kāmya) (1-8). All big utsavas require, as part of the preliminary ceremonies, dhvajārohaṇa-flag hoisting rites; if a flag-pole was provided the temple at the time of pratisthā- rites, it is not necessary to construct a new one for each succeeding utsava—although flag-hoisting rites must still be observed (9-38). When the big utsavas may be observed, hence when flag-hoisting ceremonies are to be done, is given; how to attend to the flag-hoisting ceremonies from start to finish-along with attendant aṅkurārpaṇa-germinations-is also given (39-465).

The festive-rites begin in earnest as the āvāhana-invocations to the various gods for their presence at the festivities are made; these are accompanied by the ritual beating of drums to certain specified rhythms which vary according to the different gods invoked at the different directions (465-538). During the course of the ensuing mahotsava-period, the Ācārya must observe certain rules of behavior and attend to specified duties (539-549). If he dies before the utsava period is completed, his place must be taken only by his son or his śiṣya once the appropriate prāyaścitTas have been taken care of (550-551).

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Vidhana.

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