Arghya, Ārghya: 21 definitions

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In Hinduism
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1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Hindi
4. Kannada
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Introduction:

Arghya means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi. 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 Arghy.

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In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Arghya (अर्घ्य) refers to “water offering” and represents one of the sixteen upacāra, or “sixteen types of homage and services”, as described while explaining the mode of worshipping the phallic form (liṅga) of Śiva in the Śivapurāṇa 1.11. Accordingly, “[...] the devotee shall worship the mobile emblem with the sixteen types of homage and services (upacāra) as prescribed. It accords the region of Śiva gradually. The sixteen types of service are [for example, water offering (arghya)] [...] Or he shall perform all the sixteen rites in the phallic emblem of human, saintly or godly origin, or in one naturally risen up (svayambhū) or in one of very extraordinary nature installed duly”.

According to Śivapurāṇa 1.13, “[...] at the end of the Japa of Gāyatrī-mantra arghya shall be offered thrice to the sun towards east and once also thereafter. The offering of arghya in the morning is by lifting both the hands high up; that in the midday by letting off the water through the fingers and that in the evening by letting the water over the ground facing the west”.

Arghya refers to the “offering water for the respectful reception”, as mentioned in the Śivapurāṇa 1.20 while explaining the mode of worshipping an earthen phallic image (pārthiva-liṅga) according to the Vedic rites:—“[...] the water used for washing the feet (pādya) shall be offered with the mantra. ‘Namostu Nīlagrīvāya’ (obeisance to the blue-necked). The water for the respectful reception (arghya) shall be offered with the Rudragāyatrī mantra and the sipping water (ācamana) with the Tryambaka mantra”.

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Shodhganga: Temple management in the Āgamas

Arghya (अर्घ्य) refers to “water for ritual ablution offered at head” and represents one of the various upacāras (offerings), in pūjā (ritual worship), as defined in the Śaivāgamas.—Pūjā consists of offering hospitality, in the form of water to wash the feet, to drink, water for ablutions, offering a bath, new clothes, fragrant unguents, fragrant flowers and ornaments, food and so on. Each step in the pūjā process is called “saṃskāra” and each offering is called “upacāra” [viz., Arghya].

Arghya represents a certain a ceremony to be performed during pūjā (ritualistic worship), according to the Arcanāvidhipaṭala of Kāmikāgama.—[After Aṅganyāsa and Amṛtīkaraṇa], the Ācārya then offers (with corresponding mantra) pādya, water to wash the feet of the Lord; ācamanīya, water to drink; arghya, water to wash oneself; and durvā grass, flowers and akṣata.

Source: HAL: Religious and secular organization of the Khmer temple from the 7th to the 13th century

Arghya (अर्घ्य) refers to the “water offered to guests (i.e., the gods)”, according to the Mṛgendrāgama III.14b-15a.—Arghya means in Sanskrit “that which is worthy of being honored”, and by extension, the water that we offer to guests – in our case to the gods – to honor them. As for the term Pādya, it designates “water for washing the feet of guests”. With Ācamanīya, the purifying “drinking water”, they form a triad of consecrated waters offered respectively on the head (arghya), the feet (pādya) and the mouth (ācamanīya) of the deities. The Indian ritual uses a number of different scented waters, particularly in the context of bathing, but these three waters take a very special place. Indeed, they alone constitute acts of reverence occurring at several moments of daily worship.—[Cf. Rauravāgama 10.44b-45].

Note: Concerning arghya, it should be noted that the spelling variant argha is encountered in the inscriptions K. 1034 D (i.e., arghapādya mās—“(vase) with arghya waters and pādya in gold”); and K. 1198 A (i.e., rūpyārgha—“silver arghya water vase”).

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.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)

Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval India

Ārghya (आर्घ्य) refers to one of the eight kinds of honey (madhu) according to the Suśrutasaṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 45.133, and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—Honey was possibly, the earliest sweet thing Indians knew. [...] According to Suśruta the eight varieties of honey are mākṣika, bhrāmara, kṣaudra, pauttika, chātra, ārghya, auddalika and dāla each of these being obtained from different types of bees.

Arghya is mentioned as one of the eight kinds of honey (madhu) according to the 17th century Bhojanakutūhala (dravyaguṇāguṇa-kathana).

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

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

Arghya (अर्घ्य) refers to a “symbolic offering of oneself” and represents one of the various ingredients used during worship, according to the Arcana-dīpikā (manual on deity worship).—The ingredients of arghya are water, milk, kuśa grass, yoghurt, unboiled paddy rice (aravā), sesame seeds, barley and white mustard seeds. A version can be made using only candana, flowers and water. For worship of śrī viṣṇu-tattva, combine tulasī leaves with the above mentioned items.

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’).

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Arghya (अर्घ्य) refers to “water for washing the hands (of an icon)”, as discussed in chapter 6 of the Sāttvatasaṃhitā: one of the most ancient of Pāñcarātra Āgamas consisting of roughly 3500 verses which stresses the theological standpoint of the oneness of God despite his various vyūhas (modes of existence), vibhavas (manifestations) and avatāras (incarnations).—Description of the chapter [sūkṣamavyūhadevatābahiryāgavidhi]: The details of how the liturgy step-by-step is prepared for and how it proceeds are given (7-131). First, the disposition of the vessels used in the service is outlined—where the arghya-water is to be placed for later use, where the snāna-water is to be placed, and where the pādya-water is to be kept, as well as other containers to be used. God’s presence is invoked into these various containers, and the worshipper petitions God to accept his forthcoming worship (7-28a). Then the icon is offered the water set aside for washing His hands [arghya] by putting some drops on His head (28b).

2) Arghya (अर्घ्य) or Arghyamantra is the name of an Aupacārika (subsidiary) Mantra (needed in the worship of Viṣṇu), as discussed in chapter 33 (Caryāpāda) 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 [aupacārika-mantra-kalpa]: All the main mantras having been given in the preceding chapters, the present and concluding chapter turns to a treatment of other, subsidiary mantras needed in the worship of Viṣṇu (1-11). The following ones are the common mantras discussed and analysed: arghya-mantra (62-64), [...]

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.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (vastu)

Arghya (अर्घ्य) or Arghyadāna refers to “water-offerings” (made at the temple-building site), as discussed in chapter 10 of the Ādikāṇḍa of the Hayaśīrṣasaṃhitā: a large Pāñcarātra Āgama consisting of roughly 6500 verses dealing primarily with architecture, temple-building and consecration rituals and iconography.—Description of the chapter [arghya-dāna]: [...] The Ācārya then offers various foods and grains in homa-sacrifice to all devatās, and thereupon he turns to the digging of a small hole. Pūjā offerings of flowers, etc. are made into this hole; also, water from the pot into which Brahmā had been invoked is poured into it. [...]

context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: ACHC: Smarta Puja

Arghya (अर्घ्य) refers to “water for the hands”, representing one of the various services (upacāra) of a pūjā (ritualistic worship of a deity) which aim at the purification of the devotee.—Water into which several ingredients (like sandalwood paste, akṣata etc.) have been mixed is offered to the deity (arghya) for honorific purposes. This water is usually to be accepted in the hollow of the cupped hands and after thus signifying its acceptance is poured out. This is followed by sipping of water.

Source: Shodhganga: Temples and cult of Sri Rama in Tamilnadu (h)

Arghya refers to “libation of water” and represents one of the various daily ceremonies performed during puja (worship).—Offering of water and food or tirtham and prasadam to the deities on the different occasions or specified hours of the day is an important item in the daily pujas. [...] While for the daily routine, only ordinary plain rice was offered, special food preparations were offered often on festival days. [...] The daily routine includes a number of ceremonies [viz., Arghya] that are repeated.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

arghya (अर्घ्य).—n (S) An oblation, to gods or venerable men, of rice, Durwa grass, and flowers with water, or of water only, in the palm of the hand or in a small vessel. 2 Venerable, worshipful, deserving worship. a0 ghēṇēṃ or ghēūna ubhā or taiyāra rāhaṇēṃ or asaṇēṃ To be on the alert to destroy or injure. a0 dēṇēṃ To destroy or injure; to effect the ruin of.

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arghyā (अर्घ्या).—f (S) The vessel in which is offered.

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

arghya (अर्घ्य).—n An oblation of water. a Venera- ble, worshipful. arghya ghēūna ubhā or tayāra asaṇēṃ To be on the alert to destroy or injure. arghya dēṇēṃ To effect the ruin of.

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

Arghya (अर्घ्य).—a. [argha-yat arghamarhati]

1) Valuable; अनर्घ्य (anarghya) invaluable; अनर्घ्यमपि माणिक्यम् (anarghyamapi māṇikyam) see s. v.

2) Venerable, deserving respectful offering; तानर्घ्यानर्घ्यमादाय दूरात्प्रत्युद्ययौ गिरिः (tānarghyānarghyamādāya dūrātpratyudyayau giriḥ) Kumārasambhava 6.5; Śiśupālavadha 1.14; Y.1.11.

-rghyam 1 A respectful offering or oblation to a god or venerable person (see argha); अर्घः पूजाविधिः तदर्थं द्रव्यम् अर्घ्यम् (arghaḥ pūjāvidhiḥ tadarthaṃ dravyam arghyam) Sk.; अर्घ्यमस्मै (arghyamasmai) V.5.; ददतु तरवः पुष्पैरर्घ्यं फलैश्च मधुश्चुतः (dadatu taravaḥ puṣpairarghyaṃ phalaiśca madhuścutaḥ) Uttararāmacarita 3.24; अर्घ्यंमर्घ्यमिति वादिनं नृपम् (arghyaṃmarghyamiti vādinaṃ nṛpam) R.11.69;1.44; Kumārasambhava 1.58,6. 5; (it often consists only of water given in a droṇa and forms part of the Madhuparka ceremony).

2) A kind of honey.

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Ārghya (आर्घ्य).—a. Relating to this bee.

-rghyam Wild honey.

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

Arghya (अर्घ्य).—mfn.

(-rghyaḥ-rghyā-rghyaṃ) Venerable, deserving worship. n.

(-rghyaṃ) A respectful oblation to gods or venerable men, of rice, durva grass, flowers, &c. with water only and of water in a small boat-shaped vessel. n.

(-rghyaṃ) Wild honey. e. argha, and ya or yat aff.

--- OR ---

Ārghya (आर्घ्य).—n.

(-rghyaṃ) Wild honey. E. ārghā and yat aff.

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

Arghya (अर्घ्य).—i. e. argha + ya. I. adj., f. yā. 1. Deserving worship, [Yājñavalkya, (ed. Stenzler.)] 1, 357. 2. Deserving to be entertained, ib. 1, 110. Ii. n. A respectful oblation to gods or venerable men, consisting of rice, durva grass, flowers, etc., with water, or of water only, [Yājñavalkya, (ed. Stenzler.)] 1, 289.

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

Arghya (अर्घ्य).—[neuter] worth or fit for an honourable reception. [neuter] a reverential offering to gods or venerable men.

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

1) Arghya (अर्घ्य):—[from argha] mfn. ‘valuable’ See an-arghya, ([gana] daṇḍādi q.v., ‘argham-arhati’) deserving a respectful reception (as a guest), [Pāraskara-gṛhya-sūtra; Yājñavalkya] etc.

2) [v.s. ...] belonging to or used at the respectful reception of a guest, [Gobhila-śrāddha-kalpa; Yājñavalkya] etc.

3) [v.s. ...] n. ([Pāṇini 5-4, 25]) water offered at the respectful reception of a guest, [Āśvalāyana-gṛhya-sūtra] etc., (probably for ārghya q.v.) a kind of honey, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

4) Ārghya (आर्घ्य):—[from ārghā] mfn. relating to or coming from the above bee, [Suśruta]

5) [v.s. ...] n. its honey, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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

1) Arghya (अर्घ्य):—[(ghyaḥ-ghyā-ghyaṃ) a.] Venerable. n. Oblation; wild honey.

2) Ārghya (आर्घ्य):—(rghyaṃ) 1. n. Wild honey.

[Sanskrit to German]

Arghya 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

Arghya (अर्घ्य) [Also spelled arghy]:—(nm) things worth offering (to a deity, etc.) as argh (see above).

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Arghya (ಅರ್ಘ್ಯ):—

1) [adjective] costing much; expensive; dear; costly.

2) [adjective] worthy of respect or reverence by reason of age and dignity, character or position ; venerable.

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Arghya (ಅರ್ಘ್ಯ):—

1) [noun] the ritual offering of water to a deity or a venerable person.

2) [noun] the fact of being costly, precious; preciousness.

context information

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

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