In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Upodghātādhikāra (उपोद्घाताधिकार) (lit. “introductory chapter”) is the name of chapter 1 of the Viśvāmitrasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2600 Sanskrit verses covering topics such as initiation (dīkṣā) and the construction, decoration and consecration of temples and icons, as well as routines of regular and special worship cycles.

Description of the chapter [upodghātādhikāra]: The work opens with a description of Viśvāmitra’s hermitage, situated in an idyllic setting, where the sage resides (1-21). He knows all about the Pāñcarātra system, having seen the farthest horizon of the “Ocean of Pāñcarātra” [pañcarātra-mahāmbhodhi-pāradṛśvā], and he organizes his habits according to the pañcakāla observances. He is further described as one who wears the twelve ūrdhvapuṇḍra marks, the white clay for these having been collected from all the proper holy places (22-28).

He is approached by Kāśyapa who seeks to know the Highest Wisdom [tattvajñāna] by which he may be guided across the ocean of transmigration (29-44). Viśvāmitra acknowledges that the instruction he is going to give Kāśyapa came to him first from Brahmā; for Viśvāmitra had once approached Brahmā, and, having pleased Brahmā with various penances, was afforded a direct vision of that holy being. In this encounter Viśvāmitra asked Brahmā the very same question that Kāśyapa now asks. So Viśvāmitra determines to repeat now what Brahmā then told him (45-69).

Brahmā narrates: Long ago when the demons stole the Vedas and they were recovered by Nārāyaṇa, Brahmā asked the Lord to give him the quintessence of these vast books so difficult to understand (70-76a). Bhagavān (=Nārāyaṇa) replies that the means of attaining the highest goal as well as the source of the Highest Wisdom as well as the inner essence of all the Vedas will be discovered in the Pañcaratra. This Pañcarātra (system) pleases Him above all other things. This Pañcarātra is what He, therefore, intends to present to Brahmā in response to his question (76b-77).

Brahmā, turning from his resumé to Viśvāmitra, once again, says that because the Pañcarātra will henceforth be promulgated on earth by none other than Viśvāmitra, it will henceforth be named after him that is, it shall be known as the “Viśvāmitrīya-tantra” (78-81a).

Viśvāmitra, having told Kāśyapa this much, now says that this knowledge is to be given to him, since all Viśvāmitra had thus far been waiting for was the arrival of a proper recipient (81b-83).

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: Upodghata, Adhikara.

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Full-text: Upodghata, Mahambhodhi, Paradrishva, Tattvajnana, Vishvamitriyatantra, Vishvamitriya.

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