Significance of Cloth

In Vaishnavism, cloth holds multiple significances, such as a fabric used for clothing and offering materials during rituals. It includes items like Vasana, garments offered in devotion, and sacred cloth used to adorn deities. Additionally, it features in contexts linked to Krishna and Lord Caitanya, emphasizing its role in worship as a sign of respect. Purana highlights cloth's use in life-enhancing rituals, while Vyakarana emphasizes its definition and gender specificity, underscoring its cultural and spiritual importance.1

Synonyms: Material, Linen

In Dutch: Lap; In German: Tuch; In Finnish: Kangas; In Spanish: Paño

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Cloth'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, cloth symbolizes a produced item with inherent qualities, serves as a gift reflecting complex causes, and contrasts with the jar to explore themes of equality and difference.

Significance of Cloth in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):

Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]

(1) Another example entity cited to contrast with the Jar in discussions of equality and difference.^[1] (2) An example used to illustrate a produced item that has certain qualities and statuses associated with it.^[2]

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 (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Significance of Cloth in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):

Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) A gift item that has a name, reality, and exists as a result of the complex of causes and conditions.^[3]

Mahayana 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 sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Hindu concept of 'Cloth'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, cloth symbolizes propriety in rituals, offers respect to deities through adornment, and serves various ceremonial purposes, including in worship practices and sacred presentations, reflecting its significance in spiritual and cultural contexts.

Significance of Cloth in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):

Vaishnavism Books

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) Fabric material often used in rituals for offerings or covering sacred items.^[4] (2) Vasana, garments or fabric offered as part of the worship to adorn the deity.^[5] (3) A material or textile that, through the act of remembrance, attained a state of being unlimited.^[6] (4) A piece of fabric used in various applications, including clothing and covering items.^[7] (5) A material or fabric that is often used for various purposes, typically created from woven fibers.^[8]

From: Garga Samhita (English)

(1) An item taken by Krishna along with the lotus, though its specific meaning is not elaborated in the text.^[9]

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) The garment that was forcefully taken away from Draupadi by Duhshasana, threatening her honor.^[10]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) 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’).

Significance of Cloth in Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar):

Vyakarana Books

From: Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study)

(1) The term pato'stri is defined as cloth, with additional notes on its gender specificity.^[11]

From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari

(1) Another example demonstrating the change into a different state, specifically into whiteness, while retaining its essential nature.^[12]

Vyakarana refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

Significance of Cloth in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):

Purana Books

From: Agni Purana

(1) An article used during the life-enhancing rituals after bathing, signifying propriety and sacredness.^[13]

The Purana 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.

Last Updated: 31 October, 2024