Vishnutilaka, Viṣṇutilaka, Vishnu-tilaka: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Vishnutilaka means something in 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 Viṣṇutilaka can be transliterated into English as Visnutilaka or Vishnutilaka, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

[«previous next»] — Vishnutilaka in Vaishnavism glossary
Source: Pure Bhakti: Arcana-dipika - 3rd Edition

Viṣṇutilaka (विष्णुतिलक) refers to a type of mark worn on one’s body, according to the Arcana-dīpikā (manual on deity worship), while explaining special instructions to be followed:—Without wearing the mark of viṣṇu-tilaka on one’s body, all activities such as japa, homa (sacrifice), tāpa (austerities), svādhyāya (study of śāstra), oblations unto the forefathers and performance of the śrāddha ceremony (making an offering to the deceased forefathers) become fruitless. a Vaiṣṇava must wear tilaka on his body every day. even if a person is a dogeater (caṇḍāla), if his body is decorated with ūrdhvapuṇḍra (viṣṇu-tilaka), he goes to Vaikuṇṭha, regardless of what time he dies. if a Vaiṣṇava wearing tilaka honours mahā-prasāda at someone’s home, Bhagavān liberates his hosts’ previous twenty generations from hell.

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’).

Discover the meaning of vishnutilaka or visnutilaka in the context of Vaishnavism from relevant books on Exotic India

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

[«previous next»] — Vishnutilaka in Pancaratra glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Pancaratra (Samhita list)

1) Viṣṇutilaka (विष्णुतिलक) is the name of an ancient Pāñcarātra Saṃhitā mentioned in the Kapiñjalasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra work consisting of 1550 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as worship in a temple, choosing an Ācārya, architecture, town-planning and iconography.—For the list of works, see chapter 1, verses 14b-27. The list [including Viṣṇutilaka-saṃhitā] was said to have comprised “108” titles, these, different saṃhitās named after different manifestations of the Lord or different teachers. They are all said to be authoritative as the ultimate promulgator of all these is the same Nārāyaṇa.

2) Viṣṇutilaka (विष्णुतिलक) is the name of an ancient Pāñcarātra Saṃhitā mentioned in the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—[Cf. Jñānapāda chapter 1, verses 99-114]—First is explained the folly of following more than one Saṃhitā for a single series of rituals. Then the names of the 108 Tantras of the Pāñcarātra corpus are named [e.g., Viṣṇutilaka]. Even those who repeat these 108 titles will gain salvation.

3) Viṣṇutilaka (विष्णुतिलक) or Viṣṇutilakasaṃhitā is also mentioned in the Puruṣottamasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text consisting of more than 1800 verses devoted to temple-building and the practical concerns of the Pāñcarātra priestly community.

4) Viṣṇutilaka (विष्णुतिलक) or Viṣṇutilakasaṃhitā is also mentioned in the Bhāradvājasaṃhitā or “Bhāradvāja-kaṇva-saṃhitā”: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 230 ślokas mainly concerned with basic details concerning temple construction and icon consecration.

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Viṣṇutilaka (विष्णुतिलक) or Viṣṇutilakasaṃhitā is the name of a Pāñcarātra Āgama text written in 3500 verses dealing with many of the typically “agamic” subjects.—The narrative framework has Brahmā relate to a number of sages what Viṣṇu once told him.

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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