In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Sampradāyatrayanirūpaṇa (सम्प्रदायत्रयनिरूपण) (lit. “description of the three traditions”) is the name of chapter 3 of the (first part of the) Śāṇḍilyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 3600 Sanskrit verses dealing with devotion towards Kṛṣṇa who is identified with the Supreme, as well as ethical behavior and pious practices to be observed by devotees (bhaktas).

Description of the chapter [sampradāyatrayanirūpaṇa]: Śāṇḍilya is asked by the rşis what are the three traditions [sampradaya] of bhakti that were given to and have followed in the wake of Brahmā, Śiva and Viṣṇu. He replies by going back to the cosmological beginnings of the Universe when all was darkness, and Hari made Himself into the (creative?) Nārāyaṇa, and at the same time Maheśvarī, the eternal beings, and the 20 tattvas also came into being along with the world and the Milky Ocean, etc. (1-14). He proceeds with the story to point out how Viṣṇu is the source of Brahmā, Vāmadeva, Mahādeva. These latter two later become Saṃkarṣaṇa and Aniruddha respectively. Brahmā’s creative activities then commence, but meanwhile he is instructed by Nārāyaṇa, in the form of Haṃsa, about bhakti and about the tārakamantra (15-29). As for this world’s creation, the Asuras, etc.—Brahmā is the source of these. Brahmā handed down his knowledge about bhakti to Vasiṣṭha, he to Śakti, he to Parāśara, he to Vyāsa, he to Madhu, and from him it spread across Karnatic country and other places in the South (30-43). However, Viṣṇu found it necessary to give the secret teaching on bhakti to Nārada (twice—once from Sanaka, again from Viṣṇu), and also separately to Lakṣmī. She, in turn, gave it to Viṣvaksena, who gave it to Agastya, etc. and this sampradāya is also prevalent in the South (44-88). In any case, several bhakti-traditions have come from Viṣṇu Himself, just as a tradition has come from Śiva and one from Brahmā. All of these different traditions, as they have developed and flourished in the various ages and areas, account for the qualities of devotional religion found in the world (89-103).

[During the course of Lakṣmī’s instruction, she asks why the Lord is so willing to give his secret doctrine to so many. He replies that His grace shines alike on all—just as the Sun shines on all. Indeed, the Pāñcarātra system is so called because it comprises the Vedas, Āraṇyakas, the Śaiva teachings and the Sāṃkhya and Yoga and gives Ātmānanda to all; certain other meanings of things in five are also given in explanation of the name Pañcarātra 62ff. ]

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: Sampradayatraya, Nirupana.

Query error!

Full-text: Sampradayatraya.

Relevant text

No search results for Sampradayatrayanirupana, Sampradāyatrayanirūpaṇa, Sampradāyatraya-nirūpaṇa, Sampradayatraya-nirupana; (plurals include: Sampradayatrayanirupanas, Sampradāyatrayanirūpaṇas, nirūpaṇas, nirupanas) in any book or story.