The Sanskrit term Aṣṭabandha can be transliterated into English as Astabandha or Ashtabandha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Aṣṭabandha (अष्टबन्ध).—A kind of plaster used for fixing idols in temples. The following eight things are mixed and ground consecutively for fortyone days and made ready to be put in the cavity around the idol when it is fixed there finally, (1) conch-powder (2) powdered myrobalam (3) resin (4) Kolipparal (a kind of rock) (5) river sand (6) powder of emblic myrobalam (7) lac and (8) cotton.

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

Aṣṭabandha (अष्टबन्ध) refers to the “medicinal paste that holds the liṅga fast to the pīṭha” as described in the Uttara-Kāmikāgama while explaining the repair & maintenance of a Śiva temple.—Both the temple structure and the deities need regular maintenance. [...] If the aṣṭabandha or the medicinal paste that holds the liṅga fast to the pīṭha, is loose, the kingdom will be shaky. Therefore it has to be replaced immediately followed by abhiṣeka, japa and homa.

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.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Google Books: Consecration Rituals In South Asia

Aṣṭabandha (अष्टबन्ध) refers to “medicinal paste placed between the seat and the idol” which is employed during rituals related to the re-installation of damaged idols from the temple, according to Kerala ritual texts such as the Śaivāgamanibandhana, Prayogamañjarī and the Īśanagurudevapaddhati.—[...] Next, the priest, holding flowers in both hands, absorbs the vāsanāśakti from the heart of the God while reciting oṃ udvāsayāmi (udvāsana) and takes it from the idol to the sūryamaṇḍala. After the recitation of prescribed sūktas, the priest and the four Brahmins remove the medicinal paste placed between the seat and the idol (aṣṭabandha) installed in the pīṭha with the help of a golden axe. [...]

Source: OpenEdition books: Architectural terms contained in Ajitāgama and Rauravāgama

Aṣṭabandha (अष्टबन्ध) refers to “mortar” used for fixing together the Liṅga to its Pedestal according to the Ajitāgama and Rauravāgama.—(Original source: Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens).—The aṣṭabandha or “mortar with eight ingredients” is well known but its method of preparation and the nature of the eight components sometimes vary slightly from one text to another.

The ingredients of aṣṭabandha are as follows according to the Ajita-āgama (18.216-218):

1. shellac (jatu),
2. hematite (gairikā),
3. beeswax (siktha),
4. sarja resin (Vatica robusta?),
5. agalloch / agarwood resin (guggulu),
6. molasses (gula),
7. sesame oil (taila) and
8. limestone powder (śarkarācūrṇa);

These different products must be mixed and cooked so as to obtain a fluid substance to which an equal quantity of sarja resin , limestone powder and lime (cūrṇa) as well as buffalo butter will then be added. [...] As for the kalka which can replace the aṣṭabandhana for fixing the Liṅga in the base (Cf. Rauravāgama verse 30.54) it is probably an equivalent of śarkarākalka (“limestone paste”), that is to say a mixture of powder of limestone and various plant juices which, applied in successive layers, is mainly used to shape the images; its use for fixing the Liṅga is probably explained by its fluid nature which allows it to flow between the interior walls of the mortise of the pedestal and the Liṅga.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Ashta, Bandha.

Starts with: Ashtabandhana, Ashtabandhavihara, Ashtabandhavihara.

Full-text (+2): Ashtabandhavihara, Guggulu, Gairika, Shiktha, Buffalo butter, Hematite, Gula, Jatu, Taila, Sarja, Sharkaracurna, Ashtabandhana, Agarwood, Sesame oil, Limestone, Beeswax, Molasses, Agallochum, Shellac, Limestone powder.

Relevant text

Search found 3 books and stories containing Ashtabandha, Aṣṭabandha, Ashta-bandha, Astabandha, Aṣṭa-bandha, Asta-bandha; (plurals include: Ashtabandhas, Aṣṭabandhas, bandhas, Astabandhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Sanskrit sources of Kerala history (by Suma Parappattoli)

Paliyasa inscription (Cennamangalam, 1803 AD) < [Chapter 1 - Historical details from Sanskrit Inscriptions]

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Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati (study) (by J. P. Prajith)

11. Description of Pratishtha-vidhi (installation rites) < [Chapter 4 - Worship of Gods and Goddesses]

1. The Concept of Worship (introduction) < [Chapter 4 - Worship of Gods and Goddesses]

Appendix 3 - Glossary

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Expiatory Rites in Keralite Tantra (by T. S. Syamkumar)

1.5. Expiatory Rites In Rauravāgama < [Chapter 2 - Expiatory Rites in Āgamic Literature]

1.7. Expiatory Rites in Ājitāgama and Dīptāgama < [Chapter 2 - Expiatory Rites in Āgamic Literature]

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