Akshata, aka: Akṣata; 9 Definition(s)

Introduction

Akshata means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. 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 Akṣata can be transliterated into English as Aksata or Akshata, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Akṣata (अक्षत) or Akṣatāgama refers to one of upāgamas (supplementary scriptures) of the Dīptāgama which is one of the twenty-eight Siddhāntāgama: a classification of the Śaiva division of Śaivāgamas. The Śaivāgamas represent the wisdom that has come down from lord Śiva, received by Pārvatī and accepted by Viṣṇu. The purpose of revealing upāgamas (eg., Akṣata Āgama) is to explain more elaborately than that of mūlāgamas (eg., Dīpta-āgama) and to include any new idea if not dealt in mūlāgamas.

context information

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Akṣata (अक्षत) or Akṣatasamarpaṇa refers to the “offering of raw rice grains” and is mentioned in the Śivapurāṇa 1.20, while explaining the mode of worshipping an earthen phallic image (pārthiva-liṅga) according to the Vedic rites:—“[...] the intelligent devotee shall offer scents (gandha) devoutly with the mantra ‘Namaḥ Śvabhyaḥ’ etc. He shall offer akṣatas (raw rice grains) with the mantra ‘Namastakṣabhyaḥ’ etc.”.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) 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.

Ganapatya (worship of Ganesha)

Akṣata (अक्षत) refers to “unbroken rice”, representing one of the possible preliminary rites (upacāra) of a pūjā (deity worship).—Each act in a pūjā is not only physical and/or mental, but also symbolic, cosmic, and spiritual. Sprinkling, sipping, and bathing are symbolic of purification, of the worshipped as well as of the worshipper and the surroundings. Various offerings [viz., akṣata] symbolize the surrendering of one’s latent tendencies (vāsanā) as expressed in thoughts, words, and deeds.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Akṣata (अक्षत) refers to “offering unbroken rice”, representing one of the various services (upacāra) of a pūjā (ritualistic worship of a deity) which aim at the purification of the devotee.—Unbroken and uncooked rice (akṣata)—which is often kept in a special dish (Mar. akṣatapātra)’is offered as a substitute for an offering of ornaments. [...] The offering is made to male deities as well. Unbroken grains are commonly used in rituals. They mainly serve as substitute for materials which are not to hand; or they may be thrown at the icon (cf. mantrapuṣpañjali) or at human beings (e.g. in the current marriage ceremony), thus signifying auspiciousness and prosperity.

The term akṣata originally seems to refer to an unhusked “living”, whole grain of a kind of barley or rice containing the new seed. In the current practice unbroken (akṣata), i.e. undamaged but husked , polished rice grains are used, colored red with kunkuma powder or yellow with turmeric.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

akṣata (अक्षत).—f (S) Rice as consecrated, or as taken to be consecrated, through the recitation over it of mystic formulae. It is thrown, on festive occasions, over the heads, or stuck on the foreheads, or placed on the hands, of persons whom it is designed to honor or to bless. It is stuck on the forehead of idols; sent around in token of invitation on occasions of marriage &c. &c. 2 The sectarial circlet on the forehead in the centre of the stripe, and of a color different from it. It is made with or without grains of rice. 3 The pigment used for this purpose. 4 Applied sometimes to rice. gen. a0 kāḍhaṇēṃ (or phiraviṇēṃ) To carry out (or to carry around) the consecrated rice on the business of invitation. And a0 nighaṇēṃ (or phiraṇēṃ) To proceed out (or to be in circulation) on this business--the rice. This occasion often involves a ceremonious procession and much display, termed akṣatēcā samārambha. a0 ṭākaṇēṃ To throw grains of rice (over a house &c.), and then listen to what the people therein are talking about. A mode of divining. (-dēvāvara) To dismiss the numen or divinity summoned for an occasion. a0 dēṇēṃ To invite (to an entertainment &c.) by giving on the hand a few grains of rice: and a0 ghēṇēṃ is to accept an invitation so signified. a0 (or akṣatā) paḍaṇēṃ (ḍōkyāvara g of o.) To be a subject of a wedding: (tōṇḍāvara g. of o. From the figure of casting akṣata upon an object to bring divinity into it.) To be powerful or lawless of speech. Ironically. a0 lāvaṇēṃ or dēṇēṃ (gharāsa or gharādārāsa, culīsa &c.) To invite to an entertainment a whole household, (vēśīsa) a whole village. a0 lāvaṇēṃ To predict. 2 To bind or engage one's self. a0 vāhaṇēṃ To offer rice (to an idol). yā yā mājhyā kapāḷacyā akṣatā pāhā Said reprovingly to one who is calling another without reason. varatēṃ akṣatā madhyēṃ gōpīcandana khālīṃ rakṣā (or aṅgārā) Raw grains of rice on the top; in the middle, grains soft as gōpīcandana; at the bottom, grains burned to ashes. A jocose and punning description of very badly boiled rice. For varatēṃ akṣa- tā &c., whilst it graphically describes spoiled rice, is also a description of the vertical mark on the forehead of the followers of viṣṇu. See vaiṣṇavī bhāta.

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akṣata (अक्षत).—a S Uninjured or unimpaired; sound, whole, good. 2 Unknown by her husband; intemerata marito. This is the first of the three punarbhū q.v.

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akṣatā (अक्षता).—f See akṣata Sig. II. & III. and, as f pl, I.

akṣata (अक्षत).—a Uninjured. f Consecrated rice.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Akṣata (अक्षत).—a. [na. ta.] (a) Uninjured, unhurt; त्वमनङ्गः कथमक्षता रतिः (tvamanaṅgaḥ kathamakṣatā ratiḥ) Ku.4.9; °विग्रहा वाहाः (vigrahā vāhāḥ) Dk.3; पञ्चाक्षतास्ते वयं (pañcākṣatāste vayaṃ) Ve.6.45.4.4; Mu.6.8; R.2.56; (b) Unbroken, whole; not crushed, undivided; मम नासिकामक्षतां कुर्वन्तु (mama nāsikāmakṣatāṃ kurvantu) Pt.1, °सक्तूनां नवं कलशं पूरयित्वा (saktūnāṃ navaṃ kalaśaṃ pūrayitvā) Āśvalāyana.

-taḥ 1 Śiva.

2) Thrashed and winnowed rice dried in the sun; (pl.) whole grain, entire unhusked and pounded rice washed with water, and used as an article of worship in all religious and sacred ceremonies; अक्षताः पान्तु पान्त्वक्षता इति श्राद्धमन्त्रः (akṣatāḥ pāntu pāntvakṣatā iti śrāddhamantraḥ); अक्ष- तैर्नार्चयोद्विष्णुं न तुलस्या विनायकम् इति तन्त्रम् (akṣa- tairnārcayodviṣṇuṃ na tulasyā vināyakam iti tantram); साक्षतपात्रहस्ता (sākṣatapātrahastā) R.2.21; आर्द्राक्षतारोपणमन्वभूतां (ārdrākṣatāropaṇamanvabhūtāṃ) 7.28.

3) Barley (yavāḥ); अक्षताश्च यवाः प्रोक्ताः (akṣatāśca yavāḥ proktāḥ) sometimes neuter also (dūrvākṣatāni).

-tam 1 Corn, grain of any kind.

2) Absence of loss or ruin; good, wellbeing; अक्षतं चारिष्टं चास्तु इति श्राद्धमन्त्रः (akṣataṃ cāriṣṭaṃ cāstu iti śrāddhamantraḥ).

3) Eunuch (also m.).

-tā 1 a virgin, a maiden not deflowered, blemished or enjoyed; अक्षता वा क्षता वापि (akṣatā vā kṣatā vāpi).

2) Name of a plant कर्कटशृङ्गी (karkaṭaśṛṅgī) (Mar. kākaḍaśiṃgī).

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