Alternative spellings of this word include Archana.

In Hinduism

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: ISKCON Press: Glossary

Arcana (अर्चन).—The procedures followed for worshiping the arcā-vigraha, the Deity in the temple; engaging all the senses in the service of the Lord.

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to “worship”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhajana-rahasya - 2nd Edition

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to:—Deity worship; one of the nine primary processes of devotional service. (cf. Glossary page from Bhajana-Rahasya).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Arcana-dipika - 3rd Edition

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to “deity worship” according to the Arcana-dīpikā (manual on deity worship).—The worship of the neophyte devotee is arcana, and the worship of the elevated devotee is bhajana—When, in accordance with the guidelines of the Pañcarātra one reverentially performs worship of the deity with various articles, it is called arcana. [...] In the process of arcana, Bhagavān’s holy name always remains the prime factor. Kīrtana of the holy name of the Lord is the life and soul of arcana. Deity worship that is devoid of śrī nāma-saṅkīrtana does not yield any result.

Arcana is classified under three categories—vaidika (that which is prescribed in the Vedas), tāntrika (that which is taught in the Tantras) and miśra (mixed). The altar or sacrificial arena, fire, the sun, water and the heart are the foundation of arcana.

Generally, there are five limbs of arcana. This is also known as pañcāṅga-viṣṇu-yajña (fivefold sacrifice performed for the pleasure of Śrī Viṣṇu). The five limbs are:

1. abhigamana (cleansing the temple of the deity),
2. upādāna (picking flowers),
3. yoga (purifying oneself),
4. svādhyāya (chanting the holy name),
5. ijyā (serving one’s worshipful deity).

These five limbs of Arcana (pañcāṅga-arcana) are not temporary and mundane but eternal, supremely pure limbs of bhakti that help one attain the lotus feet of Śrī Bhagavān.

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to:—Deity worship. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: archive.org: Sardhatrisatikalottaragama

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to “worshipping (the earth)” which is prescribed as one of the operations/ preliminary ceremonies related to the kuṇḍa (“fire-pit”), according to the various Āgamas and related literature. Arcana is mentioned in the Mataṅgapārameśvara (Kriyā-pāda, chap 4), Acintyaviśvasādākhya (chapter 14) and Pūrvakāmika-āgama (chapter 8). The Suprabheda-āgama mentions Samarcana. The Ajita-āgama (Kriyā-pāda, chapter 21) mentions Kuṇḍārcana.

Source: Shodhganga: Temple management in the Āgamas

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to a classification of pūjā (ritualistic worship) according to the Suprabhedāgama.—The Āgamas have several different classifications of nityapūjā (daily worship), based on the number of offerings, frequency, time duration and so on. The nomenclature also varies between Āgamas. The essence however is similar. Arcana is mentioned in the Suprabhedāgama (7.1) as “the pūjā that offers only the first seven mandatory offerings”. Arcana is also mentioned in the Kāraṇāgama (30.405), Dīptāgama (26.1) and Makuṭāgama (3.32) as “the pūjā that ends with dīpa”.

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to “worship”, according to the Guhyasūtra chapter 3.—Accordingly, “[...] One may perform the Block-of-Wood Observance in a forest full of bears, tigers and lions, conquering the urges to sleep and eat, [constantly] reciting. If one takes on the appearance of a woman and sings and dances, adorned with bracelets, with a winnowing fan, ball and plait, one observes the Colourful Observance. With a weapon in hand, full of compassion, if one wanders like a saviour of creatures (?) focussed upon recitation (japa), meditation (dhyāna) and worship (arcana), one performs the Warrior Observance. [...]”.

Source: eScholarship: The descent of scripture: a history of the Kamikagama

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to “(the daily ritual of) worship”, according to the Kāmikāgama: an ancient Śaiva Āgama scripture in 12,000 Sanskrit verses dating to at least the 5th century and represented as an encyclopedic account of ritual instructions (kriyāpāda).—In modern print editions, the Kāmika-āgama is structured in two major parts. The Pūrvabhāga consists of 75 chapters (paṭalas) [...] Chapters 3 to 8 outline the particulars of daily ritual with specific chapters dedicated to bathing (Chapter 3, snāna), worship (Chapter 4, arcana), ancillaries of worship (Chapter 5, arcanāṅga), ritual offerings (Chapter 6, naivedya), characteristics of fire pits (Chapter 7, kuṇḍalakṣaṇa), and fire rituals (Chapter 8, agnikārya).

Source: Manasa Taramgini: Skanda Sadbhava: A distinctive Kaumara Tantra?

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to one of the eighteen chapters of the Skandasadbhāvasaṃraha: an abbreviation of the larger Skandasadbhāva in 12000 verses having its narrative framework set in Kailāsa where Nandin and Māheśvara engage in a dialog regarding the present Śāstra.

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)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to “worshipping” and represents one of the nine-fold (navadhā) devotion (bhakti), as explained in the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.23, as Śiva said to Satī:—“[...] O Goddess Satī, listen, I shall explain the great principle whereby the remorseful creature becomes a liberated soul (mukta). [...] Devotion (bhakti) to me is considered as the bestower of worldly pleasures and salvation. It is achievable only by my grace. It is nine-fold (navadhā) [viz., arcana]. There is no difference between devotion and perfect knowledge. A person who is engrossed in devotion enjoys perpetual happiness. Perfect knowledge never descends in a vicious person averse to devotion. [...] According to scholars O Goddess, the nine ancillary adjuncts are:—[viz., arcana, ‘worshipping’...]. O Śiva, its further subdivisions too have been explained”.

Arcana (‘worshipping’) detailed explanation: “offering sixteen types of service to me, the supreme soul, in accordance with one’s capacity is called worshipping. The sixteen types of service are Pādya 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.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to the “worship” (of the Devas), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 2), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “We shall now proceed to give a brief description of (the qualifications of) a jyotiṣaka. [...] He must be of cleanly habits, able, noble-minded, eloquent and of originality and imagination; must possess a knowledge of place and time; be meek and without nervousness, must be difficult of conquest by his fellow students; must be able and devoid of vices; must be learned in matters of expiatory ceremonies, of Hygiene, of Occult Magic and of ablutions; must be a worshipper [i.e., arcana] of the Devas and an observer of fast and penance; must be of remarkable genius and capable of solving any difficulties save in matters of direct divine interference; and finally, he must be learned in astronomy, natural astrology (Saṃhitā) and horoscopy”.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Kavya (poetry)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (kavya)

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to “being worshipped”, according to Bāṇa’s Kādambarī (p. 225-226).—Accordingly, while describing the shire of the Goddess Caṇḍikā, “[Then follows the image of the Goddess Caṇḍikā, which matches the conception of Kālarātri in the passage from the Mahābhārata:] [...] she was adorned in garlands of bilva-leaves furnished with gleaming fruits and buds anointed with red sandalwood, that were like hanging garlands of infant-heads; she expressed cruelty with limbs worshipped (kṛta-arcana) with clusters of kadamba flowers ruddy with blood, which horripilated, it seemed, at the thrill of the flavour of the keen roar of drums during the animal-offering; [...]”.

context information

Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to “worship”, according to verse 1.38 of the Śivayogadīpikā by Sadāśivayogīśvara: a text dealing with Śaivism and Haṭhayoga in two hundred and eighty-nine verses.—Accordingly, “There are two types of worship of Śiva; internal and external yoga. In the internal [yoga], worship is foremost, and it has been called external worship (bāhya-arcana-uditā)”.

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Arcana (अर्चन) refers to one of the five kinds of purification rituals, according to the thirteenth chapter of the Agastyasaṃhitā (agastya-suīkṣṇa-saṃvāda edition), an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama text dealing with the worship of Rāma, Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa and Hanumān.—[Cf. the pūjādravya-śuddhi]—Aagstya continues to describe the preliminary preparations for the worship of Rāma—that is, after having attended to all the preceding, to purify now the articles of worship with water and mudrās and mantras. There are five kinds of purifications mentioned: by prokṣaṇa, by avokṣaṇa, by vīkṣaṇa, by tāḍana and by arcana. This matter attended to, then the idol itself is purified by bathing it in liquids from four pots (milk, curd, coconut water, perfumed waters), whereupon a second bath is given in pure water. It is pointed out that whosoever does such bathing of the Lord daily will reap great rewards.

2) Arcanā (अर्चना) refers to “worship”, as discussed in the fifteenth 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 [arcanā-vidhi]:—After eulogizing the good effects of doing regular worship, Kapiñjala outlines the steps to be followed in daily temple routines—opening doors, sweeping out the area, providing music, etc. (2-10). The Ācārya should further purify himself with breath-control and doing nyāsa-concentrations (11-27a). Then the discussion turns to the various objects and instruments to be used in worship-yogapīṭha (27b-30a), vessels, etc. and how to arrange these before the Lord. Silent worship [antaryāga] is to be done prior to the invocation [āvāhana] of the Lord with the mūlamantra. This is followed by the portion of worship done with mantras and nyāsa-concentrations, whereupon only is attention to be turned to the attendant deities (30b-38a).

3) Arcanā (अर्चना) refers to “worship”, as discussed in the fourth chapter of the Paramasaṃhitā: one of the older texts of the Pāñcarātra canon consisting of over 2100 verses in 31 chapters which, being encyclopedic in scope, deals with philosophy, worship routines, mantras, initiation, social behavior, temple-building, etc.—Description of the chapter [arcanā-vidhāna]: [...] After cleansing himself and seeing that the place of worship itself is in due order, the worshipper sits and recites some mantras and then undertakes some yogic exercises (1-19), in order to cleanse himself inwardly (20-22). Having fixed the place of worship in a padmamaṇḍala (23-27), he then invokes the presences of various divinities (28-43); then regular offerings of arghya, pādya, ācamanīya, puṣpa, etc., are to be made (up to 56). Such a procedure of worship (arcanā) leads not only to mukti beyond but also to prosperity here (58-60). [...]

4) Arcana (अर्चन) refers to a certain procedure of worship-routine involving the elements from dvārapūjā to bali, as discussed in chapter 15 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 [nityārcana]: Routine worship in the temple, properly attended to, has immense rewards (1-3). [...] Various names have been given to different elements of the pūjā-liturgy (38b-46a): [e.g., “arcana” (from dvārapūjā to bali);] [...]

5) Arcana (अर्चन) refers to one of the three types of Abhiṣeka (sacred bath), as discussed in chapter 11 of the Viṣṇusaṃhitā.—Description of the chapter [abhiṣeka]: The sacred bath of one who is given the dīkṣā is described. Dīkṣā-initiation is three-fold into samaya, tantrajñāna and arcana—the first having to do with the worship of the Lord in the maṇḍala-drawing, the second with the worship appropriate to this with flowers etc., and the third with how to worship in the sacred fire (1-6). [...]

6) Arcanā (अर्चना) refers to “routines of worship”, as discussed in chapter 9 of the Brahmarātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā.—Description of the chapter [arcanā-vidhi]: Sanatkumāra says that worship of the Lord is of two varieties—one called sthāvara (immovable)-oriented, and the other called asthāvara (movable)-oriented. The first type directs its ministrations only to a central icon (ekabera), while the second type devotes its activities to the movable icons (karmabera) as well as to the parivāradevatā-attendant deities. [...]

context information

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.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of Heroes

Arcana (अर्चन) refers to the “offering” (to the four layers), according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly: [while explaining the body circle (kāyacakra)]: “[Every Yoginī] has the nature of wisdom and means, dwells in the upapīlava (“near the village border”) [holy site], and is [of] the Level of the Practice of Resolution. These are the twelve circle [deities]. Square [in shape], this circle has the name of the Emanation Body, [is decorated with] five lines [representing the Fivefold Gnosis] starting with the Mirror-like, and is marked with every [kind of good] characteristic. Sixteen [offerings] are performed by goddesses—[this is] the offering (arcana) to the four layers [...]”.

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

arcana (अर्चन).—n (S) arcanā f (S) Worship, homage paid to gods or superiors.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

arcana (अर्चन).—n-nā f Worship, homage paid to gods.

context information

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

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Arcana (अर्चन).—a. [arc-lyuṭ] worshipping, praising.

-nam, -nā Worshipping, reverence or respect paid to deities and superiors.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Arcana (अर्चन).—mfn.

(-naḥ-nā-naṃ) An article of worship. nf.

(-naṃ-nā) Worship, the homage paid to deities and to superiors. E. arca to worship, yuc affix, and ṭāp fem. do.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Arcana (अर्चन).—[arc + ana], n. Worship, Da- śak. in Chr. 181, 19.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Arcana (अर्चन).—[neuter] arcanā & arcā [feminine] praise, worship.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Arcana (अर्चन):—[from arc] mf(ī)n. ifc. honouring, praising, [Nirukta, by Yāska]

2) [v.s. ...] nf. (am, ā) homage paid to deities and to superiors, [Mahābhārata etc.] (cf. vibudhārcana and surārcana).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Arcanā (अर्चना):—(nā) 1. f. Worship.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Arcana (अर्चन) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Accaṇa, Accaṇā.

[Sanskrit to German]

Arcana in German

context information

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.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Arcana (अर्चन) [Also spelled archan]:—[[nā]] (nm), ~[na:] (nf) worship, adoration; ~[nīya] adorable, fit to be worshipped; [arcita] worshipped; adored.

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Arcana (ಅರ್ಚನ):—[noun] = ಅರ್ಚನೆ - [arcane -] 1.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Nepali dictionary

Source: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

1) Arcana (अर्चन):—n. 1. worship; adoration; 2. homage;

2) Arcanā (अर्चना):—n. 1. worship; adoration; 2. homage;

context information

Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.

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