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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Svayamvyaktādiprāsādadevatānirṇaya (स्वयम्व्यक्तादिप्रासाददेवतानिर्णय) (lit. “regarding ancient temple deities (and the divine origin of the Śrīraṅgam temple)”) is the name of chapter 10 (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 [svayamvyaktādiprāsādadevatānirṇaya (-raṅgavimānāvirbhāvādi)]:—Sanaka asks to know about the scope and nature of temples and temple worship (1-2). Śāṇḍilya commences to describe the cosmic symbolism of the temple, its various levels representing the various worlds and their concerns. The 25 tattvas are to be understood to be reflected in the various parts of the temple—e.g., “inhalation” is represesnted in the beak-like projection of the śukanāsā, “sight” by the gavākṣa-window, etc., (3-106a). Sanaka asks to know particularly about temples that are considered self-manifested and eternal [svayamvyakta] and Śāṇḍilya narrates how, during the Creation of the World, Viṣṇu gave a vimāna-prototype (described 150-208) to Brahmā who in turn gave it to Ikṣvāku, the solar deity, as a boon for his penitential desire to see God. As well, he gave the king the way to worship God in the vimāna in the Pauṣkara Samhitā. Rāma got these two marvellous things as his heritage, and from him these were given to Vibhīṣaṇa. This latter person set the vimāna-prototype down at its present site on the Kauveri River—intending to move it later—where it became “rooted” and has ever since remained and where it has provided a home for Lord Raṅganātha. So great is this [Śrīraṅga/Śrīraṅgam] temple of divine origin that even people who live in its vicinity are made the better for being near to it (106b-311).

There are three ways in which God may be worshipped—the ways handed down by God Himself, the ways recommended by sages, and the ways evolved by certain saintly men. Each one of these ways is appropriate to use in one or another kind of temple—like those established by God Himself, those set up by sages, and those maintained by men (312-333).

Sanaka then asks about where the rules for worship are to be found, and Śāṇḍilya says that they may be found in śāstras of three types—bhagavatśāstra, divyaśāstra, and ṛṣiśāstra. These are respectively also the sāttvika, rājasa and mānasa types of śāstras, says Śāṇḍilya. A fourth class, pauruṣaśāstra, is also mentioned, but these are to be avoided when any of the other traditions are alternatively available. Then seventeen titles representing these types of śāstras are listed and categorized, and caution is given to understand these before employing them in worship (334-386a).

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: Nirnaya.

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