Acaryalakshana, Ācāryalakṣaṇa, Acarya-lakshana: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Acaryalakshana means something in 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.
The Sanskrit term Ācāryalakṣaṇa can be transliterated into English as Acaryalaksana or Acaryalakshana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Alternative spellings of this word include Acharyalakshana.
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Open Editions: The architectural teachings of Ajitagama and RauravagamaĀcāryalakṣaṇa (आचार्यलक्षण) or Ācāryalakṣaṇavidhi [=ācāryalakṣaṇavidhiḥ] is the name of chapter 83 of the Kriyāpāda of the Ajitāgama, an important Śaiva Siddhānta treatises dealing with detailed descriptions of the architecture of Śiva temples.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: Wisdom Library: PāñcarātraĀcāryalakṣaṇa (आचार्यलक्षण) [=ācāryalakṣaṇam] is the name of the third chapter of the Aniruddhasaṃhitā: an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama scripture in thirty-four chapters dealing with the varieties of worships, administration of sciences, rājadharma, town planning, expiation, installation of images, the rules regarding the construction of images, etc.
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) Ācāryalakṣaṇa (आचार्यलक्षण) or “the prerequisites of a preceptor” is the name of the third chapter of the Aniruddhasaṃhitā, an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama text dealing with the annual festivals of temples and regular temple worship routines.
Description of the chapter [ācāryalakṣaṇa]: One who is to be a preceptor in the Pāñcarātra system must be a Brahmin who is not only well-versed in the Vedas and allied literature but who is also an expert in the Pāñcarātra literature and its injunctions. He should be young but also experienced; as well, he should be devout and in good health. He should display proficiency in many arts, among them architecture, music and dance. A preceptor so qualified may initiate any persons who seek purification and salvation through the Pāñcarātra system—be they brāhmans, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, śudras or those who are in any one of the four stages of life.
2) Ācāryalakṣaṇa (आचार्यलक्षण) (lit. “the qualifications of a preceptor”) is the name of the second chapter of the Kapiñjalasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra work consisting of 1550 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as worship in a temple, choosing an Ācārya, architecture, town-planning and iconography.
Description of the chapter [ācāryalakṣaṇa]:—The moral and physical attributes of a proper person to select as an Ācārya are given (1-8)—a person in any one of the four life-stages being eligible. Kapiñjala then discusses dīkṣā-initiation. First he tells how to make the maṇḍapa in which the rite will take place (9-13a). Then, regarding maṇḍalas, he says there is a choice whether to use the svastika, bhadraka, cakrābja or any other design and he gives general instructions for constructing a cakrābjamaṇḍala (13b-21a). Then he describes the kuṇḍa-fire-pits necessary (21b-22), and how the various ceremonies of the two-day initiation are to be conducted by it (23-35a)—[NOTE: The śiṣya is blindfolded, (but not wound with red thread), flowers are put in his hand and where he drops them on the mandala-design determines what name he is given (29-30a).]
3) Ācāryalakṣaṇa (आचार्यलक्षण) (lit. “pre-requisites for the Ācārya—director”) is the name of chapter 12 of the Mārkaṇḍeyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2200 Sanskrit verses mainly dealing with temple-building, iconography, pūjā (worship procedures), utsava (festivities) and prāyaścitta (expiatory measures).—
Description of chapter [ācāryalakṣaṇa]: The first section of this chapter is devoted to the qualifications of one who would be a “director” of a building-and-consecration program—he must be a Brahmin, he must be devoted, he must know the Vedas, and he must be a true bhāgavata (1-14).
The remainder of the chapter deals with what is called “svayamdīkṣā”. In this, a maṇḍapa is prepared (15 ff. ) and aṅkurārpaṇa-germinating rites are attended to as preliminaries. Then an icon is brought to the pavilion, decorated and worshipped and placed there next to Devī. “Rakṣābandha” is done to the would-be Ācārya (24), after which he bathes and worships God. Then, obtaining permission to take his dīkṣā-initiation (26), the icon is taken to the yāgaśālā, where homa is done (27 ff.). The night is passed in sleep, after which the dreams the man had are to be analyzed (29 ff.). That next day, he takes the icon to his home where he performs homa (through pūrṇāhuti) and, with some kumbha-pots which have also been brought there, some further rites are done (14b2-37)
4) Ācāryalakṣaṇa (आचार्यलक्षण) refers to the “selection of an Ācārya”, as discussed in chapter 24 (Kriyāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [ācāryalakṣaṇa-aṅkurārpaṇa-vidhi]: The first part of the chapter (1-25a) turns to the prerequisites for the director of all rituals [e.g., ācāryalakṣaṇa]. He should be either a brahmacārin, gṛhastha or vānaprasthin, well-informed in the (Pāñcarātra) traditions, attractive and healthy, morally blameless, properly initiated, etc. Having been selected by the Yajamāna-patron, and having seen to the requirements of the temple and the icons, the Ācārya is thus ready to begin the institution of daily worship routines. [...]
5) Ācāryalakṣaṇa (आचार्यलक्षण) refers to the “pre-requisites of an Ācārya (director)”, as discussed in chapter 2 of the Puruṣottamasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text consisting of more than 1800 verses devoted to temple-building and the practical concerns of the Pāñcarātra priestly community.—Description of the chapter [ācārya-ādi-lakṣaṇa-bhūparīkṣā-vidhi]: [...] As for [the pre-requisites of an] Ācārya, his qualifications are discussed at somewhat greater length (4-8). An Ācārya is engaged for the directorial tasks (in the temple-building enterprise). whereupon the first thing to be done is to go out to select the proper piece of ground on which to build the temple (9-23) At the site selected a hole is to be dug, and it is to be ritually filled in (24-31) before construction commences.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Lakshana, Acarya.
Starts with: Acaryalakshanankurarpanavidhi, Acaryalakshanavidhi.
Full-text: Svayamdiksha, Acarya, Svastikamandala, Bhadraka, Svastika, Bhadrakamandala, Ankurarpanavidhi, Cakrabja, Cakrabjamandala.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Acaryalakshana, Ācāryalakṣaṇa, Ācārya-lakṣaṇa, Acarya-lakshana, Acaryalaksana, Acarya-laksana; (plurals include: Acaryalakshanas, Ācāryalakṣaṇas, lakṣaṇas, lakshanas, Acaryalaksanas, laksanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra (by Shanta Srinivasan)
2. Qualification of a Preceptor (Acarya) < [Chapter 2 - Aspects of Diksa]
Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati (study) (by J. P. Prajith)
18. Tantric tradition in Kerala < [Chapter 1 - History and scope of Tantric Literature]
3. Summary of contents of the Sarada-tilaka < [Chapter 5 - Isanasivagurudeva-paddhati and Saradatilaka]
4. Comparing the Sarada Tilaka and Isanasivagurudeva-paddhati < [Chapter 5 - Isanasivagurudeva-paddhati and Saradatilaka]
Prayogamanjari and Saivagamanibandhana (Study) (by R. Suthashi)
Introduction (Shaiva iconography in Prayogamanjari) < [Chapter 2 - Shaiva iconography in Prayogamanjari]
Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture) (by D. N. Shukla)
(vii.b) Śilparatna (Summary of Chapters 1-13) < [Chapter 5 - Study of Hindu Science of Architecture]