Significance of Nyasa
Nyasa is a multifaceted ritual practice described in various spiritual traditions, including Purana, Natyashastra, Shaktism, and Shaivism. It involves the act of placing mantras and invoking divine powers on specific parts of the body for purification and spiritual engagement. This practice includes ritual gestures, touching body parts while reciting sacred syllables, and assigning body parts to tutelary deities, aiming for spiritual realizations and the installation of divine presence. Nyasa is integral to spiritual rituals, offering a pathway to deeper meditation and connection with the divine.
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Nyasa'
Nyasa in Hinduism is a ritualistic practice involving the placement of sacred syllables and mantras on the body or objects during worship. It symbolizes divine invocation, purification, and the installation of spiritual energies for achieving realizations.
From: Shiva Purana
(1) A ritualistic practice involving the placement of fingers over various parts of the body to invoke spiritual energy.[1] (2) A ritual gesture in worship where specific mantras are associated with different parts of the body, signifying the invocation of divine presence.[2] (3) A ritual practice described as having three types: Sthiti, Utpatti, and Laya, performed by different groups including householders and ascetics.[3] (4) The mystic placing of fingers, associated with spiritual practices and rituals as per Shastric injunctions.[4] (5) A ritual of placing or installing sacred energies in different parts of the body.[5]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) The ritualistic touch of different limbs as part of spiritual practice.[6] (2) A concluding rite in worship where different parts of the deity are honored with specific mantras, signifying the installation of divine presence.[7] (3) Ritualistic placement of sacred syllables on the body of the devotee or deity during worship.[8] (4) A ritualistic touching of parts of one’s body, performed by a learned Brahmana as part of the worship process.[9]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) Assignment of different parts of the body to various deities and the associated prayers and gestures.[10] (2) A ritual practice of placing divine powers within oneself, which involves meditation on various deities in specific parts of the body.[11] (3) The act of placing mantras upon various parts of the body for purification before performing rituals.[12] (4) A ritualistic procedure involving the placement of mantras on different parts of the body.[13]
From: Agni Purana
(1) A ritual act of assigning divinity or mantras to different parts of the body for purification.[14] (2) The practice of locating or placing the mantras in different parts of the body or on objects during worship.[15]
From: Linga Purana
(1) A ritual of fixation associated with the chanting of mantras, involving placement of sacred syllables on the body, enhancing spiritual efficacy.[16] (2) The state of detachment and cessation of joy and misery resulting from fulfilling one's spiritual duties.[17]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) A ritual practice in which energies and deities are invoked and located in various parts of the body.[18]
From: Padma Purana
(1) A practice involving the assignment and placement of mantras on specific body parts.[19]
From: Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya)
(1) A ritualistic process of placing Mantras on different parts of the body to invoke spiritual energy.[20]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) Nyasa is a Tantrik ritual that involves placing sacred Mantras on different parts of the body, symbolizing the divine presence and invocations.[21] (2) The ritual act of placing hands on specific parts of one's body while reciting mantras, symbolizing the divine presence in those areas.[22] (3) A ritual practice involving the placement of the worshipper's hands on different body parts, symbolizing the invocation of the deity.[23]
From: Varahi Tantra (English Study)
(1) Ritual gestures performed during worship that involve the placement of energies or sacred syllables in various parts of the body as a form of veneration.[24] (2) Ritual hand gestures or placements used in conjunction with mantras to invoke deities and spiritual energies.[25]
From: Lakulisha-Pashupata (Philosophy and Practice)
(1) Nyasa refers to the practice of assigning and invoking different parts of the body to tutelary deities for attaining various spiritual realizations in Tantric Sadhana.[26] (2) Practices involving the assignment and invocation of body parts to deities aimed at achieving various spiritual goals in Tantric rituals.[27]
From: Siddhanta Sangraha of Sri Sailacharya
(1) Surrender; recognized as a direct means of achieving salvation, akin to bhakti.[28] (2) Another term for prapatti, indicating a synonymous expression in the scriptures.[29]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) The conviction that the deity of the mantra acts as a protector, which can also involve repeating the mantra multiple times for the deity's pleasure.[30]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) A ritual gesture or practice that is part of the preparatory activities for worship, aimed at invoking the deity's presence.[31]
From: Natyashastra (English)
(1) The concluding note of a song, integral to defining its structure.[32]
From: Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study)
(1) A term for proclaiming the object deposited, as indicated by Yajnavalkyasmriti.[33]