In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: Wisdom Library: Pāñcarātra

Varṇasaṃjñā (वर्णसंज्ञा) [=varṇasaṃjñānirūpaṇam] is the name of the seventeenth chapter of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā: an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama scripture dealing with the symbology of the Sudarśana weapon while also dealing with iconography, philosophy and Vaiṣṇava rituals.

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Varṇasaṃjñā (वर्णसंज्ञा) or Varṇasaṃjñānirūpaṇa (lit. “regarding names of letters”) is the name of the seventeenth chapter of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, a Pāñcarātra work in 60 chapters dealing with topics such as Viṣṇu’s discus-power, the processes of creation and esoteric practices related to Sudarśana (such as mantras and yantras).—Description of the chapter [varṇasaṃjñā-nirūpaṇa]: This chapter continues the discussion of letters and sounds, and gives a key to the mystic and esoteric levels of comprehension in which mantras are held by devotees. Each letter of the alphabet is explained to have three mnemonic levels of reference according to whether it is addressed to Viṣṇu, Śiva or Śakti (4-30 )—and the language used to discuss obliquely and mnemonically a mantra in each of the three traditions must adhere strictly to that mystic vocabulary appropriate to it (31-51).

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Varṇasaṃjñā (वर्णसंज्ञा) refers to the “letters of the alphabet”, according to the Kramasūtrādhikāra: an independent Kubjikā Tantra, forming part of a larger scriptural corpus of the Kubjikā’s cult.—Only two manuscripts of the Kramasūtrādhikāra have been recovered. It consists of just four chapters (paṭala). The colophons ascribe it to the “first descent of scripture” which, like the Siddhapañcāśikā, has come from the Island of the Moon. [...] The fourth chapter consists of a short lexicon of code names for the letters of the alphabet (varṇasaṃjñā).

context information

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Samjna, Varna.

Starts with: Varnasamjnanirupana.

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