In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Māyāsūtra (मायासूत्र) refers to the “red-colored thread” (symbolizing the bonds to the earthly life), as discussed in the sixteenth chapter of the Jayākhyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra Āgama text composed of 4500 verses in 33 chapters dealing with topics such as mantra (formulas), japa (repetitions), dhyāna (meditations), mudrā (gesticulations), nyāsa (concentrations) etc.—Description of the chapter [dīkṣā-vidhāna]:—[...] The auspicious time for this śiṣyadīkṣā having been selected, the śiṣya prepares himself by taking a sacramental bath, and the accoutrements for the ceremonies are gathered, placed and sanctified (89-124a). Blindfolded, the aspirant is led to a mandala and there, in the presence of the Lord, is asked to offer flowers; where these fall, determines the name he will be given (126- 127a). Later, entwined in the symbolic bonds—the red-colored māyāsūtra—that bind him to this earthly life and into which the tattvas are to be imagined, he witnesses and/or assists in various homa, bali and other rites (127b-195).

2) Māyāsūtra (मायासूत्र) refers to a “cord that is white-red-and-black” (used during Dīkṣā—initiation), as discussed in chapter 2 (Caryāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [dīkṣāvidhi]: [...] The cakrābjamaṇḍala having been prepared, pots are placed on the design and the qualifying candidate appears before the Ācārya. The latter puts the puṇḍra-marks on the candidate’s forehead, he is made to clean his teeth ritually, and he is led before God for his blessing. Then the māyāsūtra (a cord that is white-red-and-black) is wound around the initiate’s body a (symbolic) number of times before he goes to sleep (7b-40a). [...]

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: Maya, Sutra.

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Full-text: Dikshavidhana, Dikshavidhi.

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