Ashtaksharamantra, Aṣṭākṣaramantra, Ashtakshara-mantra: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Ashtaksharamantra 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.
The Sanskrit term Aṣṭākṣaramantra can be transliterated into English as Astaksaramantra or Ashtaksharamantra, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha ChikitsaAṣṭākṣaramantra (अष्टाक्षरमन्त्र) is the name of a Mantra, as described in the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) Aṣṭākṣaramantra (अष्टाक्षरमन्त्र) refers to a class of Mantras, according to the twenty-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 [mantroddhāra-vidhi]: The sages ask Nārada to answer six questions. In this chapter his answers to the first two questions are recorded. [...] Second: what is the nature of mantras used in establishing an image? He replies that among mantras of Viṣṇu which are “vyāpaka”, there are three—namely, the aṣṭākṣara [=aṣṭākṣaramantra], dvādaśākṣara and ṣaḍakṣara-mantras. All images may be worshipped with these mantras; some particular images, however, must have, in addition, their own appropriate, special mantras. But of all the mantras, the aṣṭākṣaramantra is best (51-61).
2a) Aṣṭākṣaramantra (अष्टाक्षरमन्त्र) is the name of a Mantra chanted during Śrīrāmanavamī (“Rāma’s birthday celebrations”), as discussed in the twenty-fifth 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 chapter śrī-rāmanavamī-praśaṃsā]:—Every year in the caitra-month. on the ninth day when the constellation Punarvasu is there, the birthday of Rāma is to be remembered. Fasting and a vigil should be observed on the “ninth day,” as well as tarpaṇa-rites. Those who break the fast enjoined will go to hell. Alms-giving is also to be practised On the following day ( i.e., the “tenth day”), Rāma and His retinue should be meditated upon with the dvādaśa-mantra, and then worshipped thrice along with the aṣṭākṣaramantra. Such muttering of these powerful mantras is itself sufficient to yield great results. [...]
2b) Aṣṭākṣaramantra (अष्टाक्षरमन्त्र) refers to the “eight-syllable mantra”, as discussed in chapter 25 (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 [aṣṭākṣaramantra-vaibhava]: This chapter answers Brahmā’s question about the eight-syllable aṣṭākṣara-mantra by outlining the meaning of each of the mantra’s three words (3-28a ), the various ways of doing japa-repetition when aspirants of different abilities wish to employ this mantra as a means to salvation (28b-98a) [...]
2c) Aṣṭākṣaramantra (अष्टाक्षरमन्त्र) is the name of a Mantra discussed in chapter 6 of the Viśvāmitrasaṃhitā.—Description of the chapter [praṇavādi-uddhāra]: [...] The interpretation of the praṇava-mantra is that “a” denotes Viṣṇu, “ṃ” denotes the individual jīva, and “u” the relationship existing between the two (2-28a). There follows a similar treatment of the aṣṭākṣaramantra, with its eight ṛṣis, etc. (28b-69).
2d) Aṣṭākṣaramantra (अष्टाक्षरमन्त्र) is the name of a Mantra mentioned in chapter 11 of the Brahmarātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā.—Description of the chapter [mantra-kośa]: Sanatkumāra says that everything in this world can be obtained by employing mantra-formulas properly (1-4a). He then gives (in prose) the mantras that Brahma revealed to him, in each case citing the bīja, astra, kavaca, etc. The mantras given are: [e.g., Aṣṭākṣaramantra] [...] The chapter closes by stating that the fruits obtained through reciting mantra-formulas can be selected and varied by adding particular suffixes and prefixes to the set formulas.—[Also see chapter 6 of the Ṛṣirātra, named chandovidhi]
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa (p)Aṣṭākṣaramantra (अष्टाक्षरमन्त्र) (or the Garuḍa-Aṣṭākṣara-Mantra) refers to one of the three Garuḍa-Saṃjñā-Mantras, according to the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā (Toxicology).—Kāśyapa gives the details of the Garuḍa-samjñāmantra which is composed of the words ‘vainateyāya namaḥ’ and concluding with praṇava as—Om Vainateyāya namaḥ om. The Ṛṣi of this mantra is Pulastya, metre is paṅkti; Garuḍa is the deity with ‘va’ as bīja; ‘namaḥ’ is said to be the śakti.
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.
Mantrashastra (the science of Mantras)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (mantra)Aṣṭākṣaramantra (अष्टाक्षरमन्त्र) is the name of a Mantra associated with japa (repetition), as discussed in chapter 53 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 [mantrajapa-ādi-viṣaya-vidhi]: After completing the homa-portion of this first initiating sequence into the mantra, the aspirant will attend to the feeding of Brahmins and to certain liturgical cycles (1-7). As for japa-repetitions these are to be done with comprehension of their meaning and toward this end the dvādaśākṣaramantra is explained (14-19) as well as the aṣṭākṣaramantra (20-24), and some others (25-55). [...]
Mantrashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, mantraśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mantras—chants, incantations, spells, magical hymns, etc. Mantra Sastra literature includes many ancient books dealing with the methods reciting mantras, identifying and purifying its defects and the science behind uttering or chanting syllables.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Ashtakshara, Mantra.
Starts with: Ashtaksharamantravaibhava, Ashtaksharamantravyakhya.
Full-text (+19): Ashtakshara, Ashtaksharamantravyakhya, Ashtaksharamantravaibhava, Vyapakamantra, Samjnamantra, Mantravaibhava, Dvadashaksharamantra, Dvadashakshara, Ramanavami, Somaka, Dvadashamantra, Indraratra, Nagaratra, Brahmaratra, Shriramanavami, Shivaratra, Rishiratra, Bhusamgrahana, Mantrajapavidhi, Rishyashringasamhita.
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Search found 8 books and stories containing Ashtaksharamantra, Aṣṭākṣaramantra, Aṣṭākṣara-mantra, Ashtakshara-mantra, Astaksaramantra, Astaksara-mantra; (plurals include: Ashtaksharamantras, Aṣṭākṣaramantras, mantras, Astaksaramantras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 295 < [Volume 4 (1877)]
Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra (by Shanta Srinivasan)
11. Post-activities of Diksha < [Chapter 4 - The Process of Diksha]
3. General charateristics of a Disciple or Aspirant (Shishya) < [Chapter 2 - Aspects of Diksa]
Yogashikha Upanishad (critical study) (by Sujatarani Giri)
Part 4 - Concept of Bindu (Vindu) < [Chapter 5 - Nature of Yoga practice in Upaniṣad]
Expiatory Rites in Keralite Tantra (by T. S. Syamkumar)
1.4. Expiatory Rites in Viṣṇusaṃhitā < [Chapter 3 - Expiatory Rites in Kerala Tantric Ritual Manuals]
2. Expiatory Rites in Vaiṣṇava Tantras < [Chapter 2 - Expiatory Rites in Āgamic Literature]
Parama Samhita (English translation) (by Krishnaswami Aiyangar)