Vishnumurti, Vishnu-murti, Viṣṇumūrti: 4 definitions

Introduction:

Vishnumurti means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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 Viṣṇumūrti can be transliterated into English as Visnumurti or Vishnumurti, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

[«previous next»] — Vishnumurti in Vaishnavism glossary
Source: ISKCON Press: Glossary

Viṣṇumūrti (विष्णुमूर्ति).—The Deity form of the Lord worshiped in the temple.

Vaishnavism book cover
context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

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Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śilpa-śāstra

Viṣṇumūrti (विष्णुमूर्ति) refers to “images of Viṣṇu”.The term is used throughout Śilpaśāstra literature.

The following are commonly found classes of Viṣṇumūrtis:

  1. Āsanamūrti (seated Viṣṇu),
  2. Sthānakamūrti (standing Viṣṇu),
  3. Śeṣaśāyīmūrti (reclining Viṣṇu).
Shilpashastra book cover
context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

[«previous next»] — Vishnumurti in Pancaratra glossary
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Viṣṇumūrti (विष्णुमूर्ति) refers to the “icon of Viṣṇu”, as discussed in chapter 11 of the Viṣvaksenasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 2800 Sanskrit verses dealing with theological matters, image-worship, iconography (relating to pratimā-icons) and the construction of temples.—Description of the chapter [mūrtibheda-lakṣaṇa]: Here the narrative turns first to the decorations and weapons of the Lord in His Supreme Form, then to further description of Vāsudeva’s form. [...] For each of these [e.g., viṣṇumūrti] as well as for various other forms of the Lord there are different rules and methods of pratiṣṭhā-installation as well as distinctions to be maintained regarding their individual decorations and distinctive marks (143-148).

Pancaratra book cover
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.

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In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Vishnumurti in Mahayana glossary
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Viṣṇumūrti (विष्णुमूर्ति) refers to the “embodiers of Viṣṇu” (according to the Jvalitavajrāśanituṇḍā-dhāraṇī) [i.e., viṣṇumūrtaye], according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.

Mahayana book cover
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Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

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