Pretasana, Preta-asana, Pretāsana: 5 definitions

Introduction:

Pretasana 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.

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Google Books: Elements of Hindu iconography

Pretāsana (प्रेतासन) is the posture in which the yogi lies flat on his back, with his arms outstretched; evidently this attitude is meant for the perfect relaxation of all the muscles of the body to secure complete ease in breathing, and it it one is certainly apt to appear as though he were dead. It may be surmised that this yogic āsana has been materialised into the above curious carcass-seat.

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

Pretāsana (प्रेतासन) refers to a type of Āsana (sitting poses), according to T. A. G. Rao in his text ‘Elements of Hindu Iconography’, as defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—Rao describes four types of āsanas or pīṭhas, viz., bhadrapīṭha (bhadrāsana), kūrmāsana, pretāsana and siṃhāsana. The height of the first is divided into 16 parts, of which one forms the thickness of the upana or the basal layer; four, of the jagati or the next higher layer; three, of the kumuda; one, of the pattika; three, of the kantha; one, of the second pattika; two, of the broader mahāpattika; and one, of the ghṛtavari, the top-most layer. Pretāsana is a yogic āsana, in which the whole body lies rigid and motionless like a corpse.

According to the Tamil work Saivasamayaneri, pretāsana is really a yogic āsana, in which the whole body lies rigid and motionless like a corpse.

Shilpashastra book cover
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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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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Pretasana in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Pretāsana (प्रेतासन) refers to the “pose of the ghost”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “The auspicious Uḍumaṅgalyā in the west has six faces and eight arms and is auspicious. She is beautiful, her hair is dishevelled and she is adorned with all the ornaments. She holds an ascetic’s staff, a javelin, a cup and double-headed drum in her right hands, (and) a skull, a bow and sword along with a severed head in the left. She sits on a ghost [i.e., pretāsana-samārūḍhā] and, when worshipped, she destroys the enemy”.

Shaktism book cover
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Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Pretasana in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Pretāsana (प्रेतासन) refers to the “ghost-position”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.40 (“The Marriage Procession of Śiva”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] O great sage, listen to another incident that happened when Śiva, the lord of all, went for his marriage along with the gods and others. Rudra’s sister Caṇḍī assuming a great festive mood came there with great pleasure but inspiring terror in others. She was riding on a ghost (pretāsana). She was bedecked in the ornaments of serpents. A gold pot filled (with water) shone over her head. She was accompanied by her attendants. Her face was beaming. Her eyes dazzled. She was enthusiastic and glad. She was strong. [...]”.

Purana book cover
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The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of Heroes

Pretāsana (प्रेतासन) refers to “one who resides on a corpse”, according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, “[...] [This is] a visualization of the very terrifying one [who] resides on a corpse (pretāsana); [he] brings benefits to the world. [A practitioner] should take recourse in every kind of meditation instantly. [...]”.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

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