In Hinduism

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Academia.edu: The Rite of Durgā in Medieval Bengal

Like the śāvarotsava, the śamīpūjā was a civic rite involving all citizens, but unlike the egalitarianism of its eastern counterpart where all men temporarily became equal and casteless for a day, the śamīpūjā could only be performed by a royal personage in his representative capacity while leading the community and the troops.

A king accompanied by his citizens, having gone to a śamī tree on the eastern border of the capital, would worship the guardians of the ten quarters and perform a vāstupūjā on the tree. This was because, as far as the conventional nirukti in the hymn suggests, a śamī tree was meant to bring an end (śamanīṃ) to inauspicious elements and evil deeds.

Then, having sung benedictory verses, the king would stride (kramet) to the east, in a gesture symbolic of his mastery over the Earth, make an image of his enemy, contemplate it in his mind and then strike the opponent’s heart with an arrow. The same procedure was followed for each of the directions, followed by a lavish and ornate procession of the king’s horses, elephants, foot soldiers and various colourful spectacles. Next, the king was to worship the goddess Aparājitā (she who is unconquered) with her attendants Jayā and Vijayā in the north-eastern corner of a village. The rite was performed for the goddess’s protection and the bestowal of victory.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Shami, Puja, Cami.

Starts with: Shamipujana, Shamipujavidhi.

Query error!

Full-text: Shamipujavidhi, Shamipujana.

Relevant text

No search results for Shamipuja, Sami-puja, Śamī-pūjā, Śamīpūjā, Samipuja, Shami-puja; (plurals include: Shamipujas, pujas, pūjās, Śamīpūjās, Samipujas) in any book or story.