Significance of Oblation
Synonyms: Offering, Sacrifice, Gift, Contribution, Presentation, Tribute
In Dutch: Oblatie; In Finnish: Oblaatio; In Spanish: Oblación; In German: Opfern
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Oblation'
In Hinduism, Oblation signifies ritual offerings to deities, often during ceremonies like weddings and fire rituals, embodying devotion, sacrifice, and the quest for divine favor, typically involving materials such as clarified butter and food items.
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)
(1) Offerings made to deities during rituals, in this case, included in the sacrificial context.[1] (2) Offerings made to ancestors, showcasing a cultural and spiritual tradition.[2] (3) Offerings made into the sacred fire as part of the ceremonial practices.[3] (4) A religious offering made by Queen Kaushalya to the gods during the rituals for Rama's protection and well-being.[4]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) Offerings made to deities during worship, specifically to the Fire God in this context.[5] (2) A ritual offering made to deities during worship.[6] (3) A sacred offering presented to deities during rituals; in this text, notably clarified butter offered with devotion.[7]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) The offering made to God, specifically in this context relating to Agastya.[8] (2) Offerings made to the deities or ancestors during Shraddha ceremonies, typically consisting of food items.[9] (3) Offerings made during rituals, especially to appease the spirit of the ancestors, thus fostering spiritual connection and fulfillment for the deceased.[10]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) A ritual offering made to the gods, often involving offerings poured onto the fire to invoke divine favor.[11] (2) The offerings made to the sacrificial fire as part of the rituals led by Yaja to bring about Drupada's desired results.[12]
From: Markandeya Purana
(1) Offerings made to consecrated fire, which are declared fruitless if devoid of truthfulness.[13] (2) An offering made in fire, described as part of the religious rituals performed by Ritavac.[14]
From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
(1) An offering made to a deity, especially in the context of Vedic sacrifices.[15] (2) Ritual offerings that should be placed within the altar one by one.[16] (3) The offerings made during the ritual, from which portions for the Ida are cut out.[17] (4) The offering made to deities during the sacrifice, typically incorporating various ingredients and conducted through specific rituals.[18] (5) A ritual offering made to deities, typically involving the presentation of food or clarified butter.[19]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The oblation is offered into fire to the deities, and the placing of the Bali-offerings in all directions follows this action in the ritual described.[20] (2) A ritual offering made to a deity, particularly involving the act of consuming food during worship.[21] (3) A ritual offering made to deities during Vedic ceremonies, which is traditionally suspended during the period of impurity.[22] (4) Offerings made to Agni and other deities, which do not necessarily include the syllable 'svaha'.[23] (5) The act of offering food or other items to a fire during worship, indicative of devotion.[24]
From: Gobhila-grihya-sutra
(1) This refers to a ritualistic offering made to the fire, with specific ingredients and formulas depending on the desired outcome.[25] (2) This offering is sacrificed to Agni Svishtakrit with the eighth verse, marking a concluding step in the ritual.[26] (3) The grain is poured out for this, and the pot is used for the preparation of this item, which is cooked.[27] (4) Offerings that are made during sacrificial rituals to honor deities.[28]
From: Sankhayana-grihya-sutra
(1) A ritual offering made during the wedding ceremony, specifically using the Mahavyahritis.[29] (2) A term for offerings made to deities during rituals, often involving food or other gifts intended to honor the divine.[30]
From: Hiranyakesi-grihya-sutra
(1) An offering made to a deity or spirit, in this case, a sacrifice made by a son to his fathers.[31] (2) A religious offering made to a deity, which can include various items such as food or ghee.[32]
From: Paraskara-grihya-sutra
(1) Curds, rice grains, or fried grains are offered as oblations when worshipping the sacred domestic fire.[33] (2) Oblations are made with specific items like cakes, flesh, and vegetables, following the order of the three Ashtakas.[34]
From: Asvalayana-grihya-sutra
(1) Ritual offerings made during a ceremony, often accompanying prayers or blessings, integral to the marriage rituals.[35] (2) A ritual offering made to a deity, typically involving food or other sacred items, performed during rituals.[36]
From: Gautama Dharmasutra
(1) A religious offering, particularly in the context of a fire sacrifice, which includes various items offered to the deities.[37]
From: Khadira-grihya-sutra
(1) Offerings made during a sacrifice, typically involving food or other material items presented to deities.[38]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) Offerings made in the Garhapatya, which are crucial for securing food or cattle and preventing their departure.[39] (2) The wishes of the person are rendered successful by means of these.[40] (3) These are offerings of meat that are made during the evening service of the pressing-day, and they are a part of the animal sacrifice.[41] (4) The oblation is described with the phrase, 'To the Purpose, to the Impulse, to Agni, hail!' and at the outset, he indeed purposes to sacrifice and collects and makes it his own.[42] (5) They are made to the deities, mentioning them one by one with specific verses, and the last oblation is offered to Heaven and Earth, and the first three oblations of blood are offered in specific locations.[43]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) A component, consisting of water, that is connected with deeds resulting from faith, and has assumed the form of an apurva, and envelops the souls, and leads them to the heavenly world.[44] (2) The text refers to an oblation, a specific offering, which is connected with the coming of food and is described as being offered to the Prana, which is part of the agnihotra ritual.[45] (3) The rule regarding oblations being five in number does not need to be followed for the purpose of obtaining a new body in a particular situation.[46] (4) A ritual offering made during the pranagnihotra, specifically connected with the consumption of food.[47]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)
(1) A ritual offering that is made during sacrifices, signifying a connection to the divine or the cosmos.[48] (2) The oblation is the offering made by the gods to King Soma in the fire.[49] (3) A religious offering made to a deity or spirit, particularly in the context of fire rituals.[50]
From: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
(1) A religious offering made to a deity, typically involving specific incantations and offerings in the sacrificial fire.[51]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) A ceremonial offering made in religious rituals, illustrating the interconnectedness of meditation and sacrificial practices.[52]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) A religious offering or sacrifice, which is analogous to the separate meditative practices on Vayu and Prana.[53]
From: Mundaka Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
(1) The process involves throwing these offerings, intending them for the devata, and this practice is repeated over many days.[54]
From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
(1) Agni is asked to guard this, suggesting a protective role over the offering being prepared.[55] (2) The Adhvaryu offers this upon a piece of gold placed between the two prongs of the post.[56] (3) These are the offerings placed within the altar using specific formulas, and their placement is a key part of the ritual.[57] (4) This is a religious offering, and the text mentions that the milk of one or two cows should be used as a curdling agent for this, specifically on the day of the sacrifice.[58] (5) Oblations of clarified butter are offered with specific formulas on the Ahavaniya fire by the Adhvaryu.[59]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A ceremonial offering made to a deity or spirit as part of a religious act to honor ancestors or divine beings.[60]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) An act of offering or devotion, particularly seen in the context of the gopa-kumaris who chanted prayers to Katyayani for Shri Krishna's favor.[61]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) The act of offering something to a deity during worship, representing devotion and surrender.[62]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) Offerings made in rituals, particularly to the sacred fire, representing devotion and the promise of fulfillment in the narrative.[63]
From: Harsha-charita
(1) Ritual offerings made to the gods, typically consisting of food, water, or symbolic items.[64]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) The oblation is an offering made during the fire-rite, and the cooked oblation is placed in its place, and the vessel containing the cooked oblation is brought and used.[65] (2) A ritual offering made in the context of a homa, often involving materials like ghee, fruits, or other symbolic items.[66]
From: Kautilya Arthashastra
(1) Offerings made in fire rituals aimed at seeking favor or harming enemies.[67]
Jain concept of 'Oblation'
In Jainism, Oblation symbolizes a sacred offering made to deities, which is subsequently shared among the king, gods, and the community, reflecting the interconnectedness of devotion and societal well-being.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) A religious offering made to the gods, divided among the king, gods, and people.[68]