Murdheshtaka, Murdha-ishtaka, Mūrdheṣṭakā: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Murdheshtaka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Mūrdheṣṭakā can be transliterated into English as Murdhestaka or Murdheshtaka, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Shodhganga: Temple management in the ĀgamasMūrdheṣṭakā (मूर्धेष्टका) or Mūrdheṣṭakasthāpana refers to “fixing of the headstone” and represents a ceremony that is to be performed while establishing a temple or a new settlement.—The Ādiśaiva has a critical role to play in the establishment of a temple or even a new settlement, right from selecting and clearing the ground. [...] The Ādiśaiva-Ācārya has to perform the proper rituals before fixing of the headstone (mūrdheṣṭakā) on the temple gopura. He then fixes the headstone with the chanting of mūlamantras.
The Ācāryas were honoured with dakṣiṇā on the occasion of [various] ritual ceremonies. Besides that, they received a share of the naivedya and nirmālya each day. [...] After laying of the top stone or mūrdheṣṭaka-sthāpana, the Mūrtidhāraka is to be honoured with five niṣka of gold. The Daivajña, Śilpi and guru are to be honoured with one and a half times of that—7.5 niṣka.
Source: eScholarship: The descent of scripture: a history of the KamikagamaMūrdheṣṭakā (मूर्धेष्टका) refers to the “crowning bricks” (of a temple), according to the Kāmikāgama: an ancient Śaiva Āgama scripture in 12,000 Sanskrit verses dating to at least the 5th century and represented as an encyclopedic account of ritual instructions (kriyāpāda).—In modern print editions, the Kāmika-āgama is structured in two major parts. The Pūrvabhāga consists of 75 chapters (paṭalas) [...] Chapter 59 explains the placement of particular features such as the drainage outlet. Chapter 60 outlines the characteristics of multi-storey temples, ranging from one-storey to 16-storey designs. Chapter 61 describes the placement of crowning bricks (mūrdheṣṭakā-sthāpana).
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (vastu)1) Mūrdheṣṭakā (मूर्धेष्टका) refers to the “placement of the roof-bricks”, as discussed in chapter 9 (Kriyāpāda) 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 [mūrdheṣṭakāvidhi-vimānadevatākalpana]: [...] The narrative turns to the ritual complementary to that of laying the “first bricks” (see chapter 5), namely the “last bricks” or mūrdheṣṭakā-ceremonies. First, four (neuter) bricks are placed on an altar atop a heap of grains, and after appropriate worship of ritual pots, fire-offerings and śāntihomas are done. The Ācārya, the Yajamāna and an especially selected assistant, after spending a night in vigil, ritually bathe the four bricks the next morning with the contents of 25 pots. Ṛtviks, invited for the occasion, carry the bricks with great ceremony to the vimāna where the assistant places them one by one into the (top of the) structure (4-20b). After this, the Ācārya is richly rewarded, and he in turn pays off and discharges the carpenters. (21-23) [...]
2) Mūrdheṣṭakā (मूर्धेष्टका) refers to the “last bricks” (ceremonies) is discussed in chapter 4 of the Puruṣottamasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text consisting of more than 1800 verses devoted to temple-building and the practical concerns of the Pāñcarātra priestly community.—Description of the chapter [ālayalakṣaṇa-mūrdheṣṭakā-vidhāna]: After telling about the requirements for proper pratiṣṭhā-installation procedures (1-6), Vasiṣṭha then tells about the stones to be collected for making icons (7-9a). [...] Then Vasiṣṭha turns to the rites of placing the “last bricks” [mūrdheṣṭakā] (51-72), after which the artisans and workers are paid and discharged and the stūpikākīla is put in place (73-78a) This finial is topped by the śikhākumbha and a cakra-symbol (73b-79) .
3) Mūrdheṣṭakā (मूर्धेष्टका) refers to the “rite of placing the last-bricks”, as discussed in in chapter 9 of the Śrīpraśnasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 5500 Sanskrit verses covering a number of subjects ranging from selecting a temple site through building and furnishing it to sanctifying and maintaining worship in the sacred complex.—Description of the chapter [prāsāda-bhedādayaḥ]: Viṣṇu names and identifies 17 types of vimāna-constructions [...] Then he turns to the mūrdheṣṭakā-rites, which involve placing the “last-bricks” at the top of the vimāna-dome in a ritual manner. This is done in the morning, and over it the Śilpins will construct 1, 3, 4, 8, 12, 16 ог 20 stūpīs. The stūpikākīla-finials are to be placed there in varying numbers according to what gains the Yajamāna is seeking (41- 53). The vimāna-tower should be populated with images of the Lord in His various forms placed in niches in different directions and on various storeys (54-63). These should be painted according to Shastraic injunctions (64-96).
Source: OpenEdition books: Architectural terms contained in Ajitāgama and RauravāgamaMūrdheṣṭakā (मूर्धेष्टका) refers to “crowning bricks (put in place at the end of construction work) §§ 2.8, 12, 26; 3.31.”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama TextsMūrdheṣṭakā (मूर्धेष्टका) refers to the “ritual of worshiping and placing the five bricks”, as discussed in the tenth chapter of the Kapiñjalasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra work consisting of 1550 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as worship in a temple, choosing an Ācārya, architecture, town-planning and iconography. Description of the chapter [prāsāda-vidhi]:—The fruits of temple-building are first rehearsed (1-3a.). A temple may be made of stone, bricks or wood (3b-4). [...] The text then turns to a description of the mūrdheṣṭakā-rites, which are to be attended to after the temple has been constructed. Directions are given for the special maṇḍapa to be constructed in which the five bricks are worshipped, etc., before being placed in the roof (114b-125). The stūpikā is similarly treated, and after it is properly assembled, it is put into place and cemented there (126-132a). The Ācārya and the Śilpin are honored at the end of the temple-building process (132b-133a).
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: Ishtaka, Murdha.
Starts with: Murdheshtakasthapana, Murdheshtakavidhana, Murdheshtakavidhi, Murdheshtakavidhivimanadevatakalpana.
Query error!
Full-text (+8): Murdheshtakasthapana, Murdheshtakavidhana, Murdheshtakavidhi, Nagara, Garudamandapa, Dramida, Antarala-mandapa, Antarala, Sarvatonirgama, Stupi, Kila, Dinmurti, Vesara, Vritta, Dravida, Alayalakshanamurdheshtakavidhana, Ardhamandapa, Asthanamandapa, Shikhakumbha, Prasadabheda.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Murdheshtaka, Murdha-ishtaka, Mūrdha-iṣṭakā, Murdha-istaka, Mūrdheṣṭakā, Murdhestaka; (plurals include: Murdheshtakas, ishtakas, iṣṭakās, istakas, Mūrdheṣṭakās, Murdhestakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad (by Prasanna Kumar Acharya)
A Summary of the Shilparatna of Shrikumara < [Chapter 4 - Shilpa Shastras]
A Summary of the Amsumad-Bheda of Kasyapa < [Chapter 4 - Shilpa Shastras]
Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study) (by K. Vidyuta)
2. Kāśyapa Śilpaśāstra (Introduction) < [Chapter 2 - Author and his Works]
Related products
