Arcaka: 12 definitions
Introduction:
Arcaka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Archaka.
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Arcaka (अर्चक) are the “assistants” of the “chief priests” (Pradhāna-ācārya) of a Śiva temple, as defined in Śaivāgama literature.—The first and main person in the temple is the Pradhāna-ācārya roughly translated as Chief Priest who is an Ādiśaiva Śivācārya. He is assisted by Arcakas (one who performs ‘arc,’ to worship) who are Ādiśaiva initiates, with the appropriate dīkṣā. In the temple, the Ādiśaiva priests are classified by the āgama into five levels—Ācārya, Arcaka, Sādhaka, Alaṅkṛta and Vācaka. The Arcaka and others are qualified to perform nityapūjā.
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)
Arcaka (अर्चक) refers to a temple-priest (who conducts sacrifices to the Lord for others), as discussed in chapters 2-3 of the Paramapuruṣasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text in ten chapters composed of 940 verses dealing with the personnel of a temple, their prerequisites and duties, their different ranks, the privileges and responsibilities of each etc.—Description of the chapter [arcaka-ādhikya-tāni-rūpaṇa]: Continuing along same lines as in preceding chapter, Nārada points out that an Arcaka is just like a son [putra] of Hari, and thus it is as a birth-right that the temple concerns fall to him (1-7a). Therefore, all should obey the Arcakas Trustees [dharmakartās] should help to make the Arcakas’ role effective and their life comfortable, for the Arcakas have no other duty than to conduct sacrifice to the Lord for others [parārthapūjā]. They are answerable only to God (7-19). [...]
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
arcaka (अर्चक).—a (S) That worships, adores, venerates.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Arcaka (अर्चक).—a. [arc-ṇvula] Worshipping, adoring.
-kaḥ A worshipper; गुरुदेवद्विजार्चकः (gurudevadvijārcakaḥ) Manusmṛti 11.224.
Arcaka (अर्चक).—mfn.
(-kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) A worshipper, one who worships. E. arca and vun. aff.
Arcaka (अर्चक).—[arc + aka]. adj. Worshipping, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 11, 224.
Arcaka (अर्चक).—[adjective] honouring (—°).
1) Arcaka (अर्चक):—[from arc] mfn. honouring, worshipping, [Manu-smṛti xi, 224]
2) [v.s. ...] m. a worshipper, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
Arcaka (अर्चक):—(wie eben) adj. verehrend: gurudevadvijārcakaḥ [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 11, 224.] [Vopadeva’s Grammatik 3, 132.] subst. Verehrer [Vopadeva’s Grammatik 5, 7.]
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Arcaka (अर्चक):—m. Verehrer [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 11, 27, 33.]
Arcaka (अर्चक):—Adj. verehrend , m. Verehrer.
Arcaka (अर्चक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Accaga, Accaya.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Kannada-English dictionary
Arcaka (ಅರ್ಚಕ):—
1) [noun] a man who worships.
2) [noun] a man whose profession is to render religious service to a deity.
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Arcaka (ಅರ್ಚಕ):—[noun] the tree Sonneratia caseoloris ( = S. acida) of Sonneratiaceae family.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+0): Arcakadhikyatanirupana, Arcakaparicarakadisamkhyanirnaya, Arcakashabdotpatti, Arcakatva.
Full-text (+81): Vanarcaka, Dharmakarta, Pararthapuja, Arcakadhikyatanirupana, Alankrita, Hastaka, Samarcaka, Accaga, Paushkarasamhita, Yajamana, Samarcita, Paricaraka, Samarcana, Samaradhanavidhi, Accaya, Arccakan, Aruccakan, Devatarcaka, Samarca, Vacaka.
Relevant text
Search found 9 books and stories containing Arcaka; (plurals include: Arcakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 764 < [Malayalam-English-Kannada (1 volume)]
Page 268 < [Hindi-Kannada-English Volume 2]
Page 353 < [Kannada-English-Malayalam (1 volume)]
Further sources of Vijayanagara history (by K. A. Nilakanta Sastri)
Page 327 < [Volume 3]
Studies in the Cult of Jagannatha (by K. C. Mishra)
Shiva Gita (study and summary) (by K. V. Anantharaman)
Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture) (by D. N. Shukla)
(iv) Other Ācāryas (chief preceptors) of Vastuśāstra < [Chapter 4 - An outline History of Hindu Architecture]
A True Servant—A True Master (by Swami Bhaktivedanta Madhava Maharaja)