Arcanavidhi, Arcanāvidhi, Arcana-vidhi: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Arcanavidhi 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Archanavidhi.
In Hinduism
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
1) Arcanavidhi (अर्चनविधि) refers to the “rules of the worship (of the Gods)”, as discussed in the third chapter of the Īśvarasaṃhitā (printed edition), a Pāñcarātra work in 8200 verses and 24 chapters dealing with topics such as routines of temple worship, major and minor festivals, temple-building and initiation.
Description of the chapter [vimānadevatā-arcanavidhi]: Despite the title, this chapter deals with the details of the materials and utensils, procedures and motions of liturgical worship [bāhyayāga], viz., water and water-pots (14-29a, 89b); [...]. The closing ślokas (189-194) tell how to construct the mantra for any given temple and its deity, with a eulogy for those who perform worship-rituals with correctness and piety.
2) Arcanāvidhi (अर्चनाविधि) (lit. “rules for worship”) is the name of 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 [arcanāvidhi]:—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).
The location of the parivāra-devatās in the various courtyards is given (38b-50). Snānāsana is to be offered to the Lord—and this is explained in detail (toothbrush, tongue-scraper, etc.) (51-55)—after which the Lord is adorned [alaṅkārāsana] and offered the honors of flowers, food, etc. Only when this is done is worship directed to parivāra-devatās allowed. The liturgical routine closes with a fire-ritual, verses of praise addressed to the Lord, bali-offerings, and other nityotsava-activities. After all is done, and before darkness descends, the doors of the temple are to be closed and the Ācārya is to go home (56-64). The chapter closes with a few remarks about image at home-wherein the Lord’s presence is invoked from the Sun’s disc (since there is no mūlabera) and in the services to which homa, bali, śayana, and yāna are to be omitted from the liturgical routines. Also some general remarks are made concerning the size and materials and appearance of household icons (65-69a).
3) Arcanāvidhi (अर्चनाविधि) (lit. “rules regarding routines of worship”) is the name of chapter 9 of the Brahmarātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā: an encyclopedic Sanskrit text written in over 3500 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as yoga, temple-building, consecration ceremonies, initiation and dhanurveda (martial arts).
Description of the chapter [arcanāvidhi]: 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. The bulk of the discussion concerns how the karmārcās and the parivāradevatā-attendants are to be installed for acceptable worship. In the course of the discussion it is pointed out that only two mantras, the dvādaśākṣaramantra and the aṣṭākṣaramantra are to be used in the installation-rites. Details of constructing these two mantras are given, along with instructions for dhyāna-meditations, nyāsa-concentrations, and mudrā-gesticulations to be used when employing these mantras (1-714). After the installation-rites using these mantras are concluded abhiṣeka-sprinklings are to be done, followed by worship with sandal paste, etc. (71b-78). Similar details are also given for installation of the parivāradevatā-attendants (79-88, 89-94).
When installation of the ekabera-icon is undertaken, the details are going to be much the same, except that in the opinion of Sanatkumāra there need be no homa-offerings made; he acknowledges, however, that certain authorities differ from his opinion on this matter (95-100). The chapter closes by saying that in the actual arcanā-liturgies, the pañcopaniṣad and the viṣṇugāyatrī-mantras are to be employed. Certain stipulations are made about mudrā-gestures and the exercise of mānasajapa (101-107).
4) Arcanavidhi (अर्चनविधि) refers to the “rules in regard to (regular) rituals”, as discussed in chapter 9 of the Bhāradvājasaṃhitā or “Bhāradvāja-kaṇva-saṃhitā”: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 230 ślokas mainly concerned with basic details concerning temple construction and icon consecration.—Description of chapter [nitya-arcanavidhi-kalpa]: Bharadvāja outlines the daily routine of the Arcaka from his rising in the morning. [...]
5) Arcanavidhi (अर्चनविधि) refers to the “rules for worship”, as discussed in chapter 54 of the Śrīpraśnasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 5500 Sanskrit verses covering a number of subjects ranging from selecting a temple site through building and furnishing it to sanctifying and maintaining worship in the sacred complex.—Description of the chapter [bharanyāsa-ādi-mudrālakṣaṇa-arcana-anta-vidhi]: [...]
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
Sanskrit dictionary
Arcanāvidhi (अर्चनाविधि) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—Oppert. Ii, 3374.
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
Arcanāvidhi (ಅರ್ಚನಾವಿಧಿ):—[noun] the process of or the procedure followed in, worshipping.
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)
Partial matches: Arcana, Vitti.
Starts with: Arcanavidhikalpa.
Full-text (+14): Sthavara, Asthavara, Trirupa, Bhoktri, Kartri, Bhoktrishakti, Vimanadevata, Pushtishakti, Kartrishakti, Pushti, Sudarshanapuja, Vishnubhakta, Sudarshanarcana, Paratantrapuja, Svatantrapuja, Karmabera, Rupatraya, Yogalakshmi, Bhogalakshmi, Parivaradevata.
Relevant text
Search found 7 books and stories containing Arcanavidhi, Arcanāvidhi, Arcana-vidhi, Arcanā-vidhi; (plurals include: Arcanavidhis, Arcanāvidhis, vidhis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati (study) (by J. P. Prajith)
48. Description of Dipotsava (rites and rituals) < [Chapter 4 - Worship of Gods and Goddesses]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 275 < [Volume 9 (1888)]
Expiatory Rites in Keralite Tantra (by T. S. Syamkumar)
3.3. Expiatory Rites in Tantraprāyaścitta < [Chapter 3 - Expiatory Rites in Kerala Tantric Ritual Manuals]
Prayogamanjari and Saivagamanibandhana (Study) (by R. Suthashi)
Introduction (Shaiva Iconography in Saivagamanibandhana) < [Chapter 3 - Shaiva iconography in Saivagamanibandhana]
Brahma Purana (critical study) (by Surabhi H. Trivedi)