The Sanskrit term Aṣṭakula can be transliterated into English as Astakula or Ashtakula, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Aṣṭakula (अष्टकुल) (Cf. Kulāṣṭa) refers to the “eight kinds of Kula”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly,

The eight kinds of Kula are:

1. Without plane (of existence), established in Rudra's energy, that is Kula in the Kula teachings.
2. Kula is said to be the body.
3. Kula is said to be the end of meditation.
4. Kula is the aggregate of the (Eight Mothers who are the) Octad of Kula.
5. The Lotus (i.e. Yoni) of Kula (at the End of the Twelve above the deity's head) faces downwards.
6. One should know that Kula is Śakti.
7. It is said here that Kula is knowledge.
8. Kula is the instrument (of emanation and attainment).

Note: Kula is of eight kinds (aṣṭakula—kulam aṣṭavidhaṃ kule) in the Kula (teaching). He who knows the omnipresent Kula is a teacher in the Kula. He who says that Kulakaula is devoid of the knowledge of the planes (of existence) does not have liberation and he wanders in the world of transmigration full of the wombs (within which he is reborn)”.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa (p)

Aṣṭakula (अष्टकुल) refers to the “eight divine serpents”, according to the Viṣvaksena Samhitā (verse 26.61) which mentions the efficacy of the Garuḍa-mantra by paying obeisance to him.—It mentions that Garuḍa also renowned as Suparṇa, the king of birds and the illustrious son of Vinatā, is adorned by the eight divine serpents (aṣṭakula-nāgabhūṣaṇa) residing in the seven nether-worlds; his body is smeared with the blood of serpents he has slain. Garuḍa is eulogised as the vehicle of Viṣṇu, who can make the three worlds tremble with his primal strength, and who conquered Brahmā and the other gods (and brought the nectar) to free his mother from bondage:

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.

India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Aṣṭa-kula.—cf. Tamil ūr-ĕṭṭu (SITI); the committee of eight members of the village assembly (ūr); taxes payable for the expenses of the committee (cf. eṇ-pera-ayam which may also refer to the eight major items of revenue). See añjaṣṭa-sabhā. Cf. aṣṭakul-ādhikaraṇa (IE 8-3; EI 31), an administrative board (like the Pañcāyat) consisting of eight (or more) members representing various classes or communities of people; cf. grām-āṣṭa-kul-ādhikaraṇa; mahattara-ady-aṣṭakul-ādhikaraṇa. Note: aṣṭa-kula is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Ashta, Kula.

Starts with: Ashtakulacala, Ashtakulachala.

Full-text: Panca-ashta-kula, Kailacam, Kantamatanam, Emakutam, Anjashta-shattu-sabhai, Anjashta-sabha, Nilakiri, Imayam, Kulashta, Kulashtaka, Ashta, Nagabhushana, Mahattara.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Ashtakula, Aṣṭakula, Astakula, Asta-kula, Ashta-kula, Aṣṭa-kula, Astan-kula, Aṣṭan-kula; (plurals include: Ashtakulas, Aṣṭakulas, Astakulas, kulas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)

Chapter 162 - Greatness of Aṣṭakuleśvara (Aṣṭakula-īśvara) < [Section 1 - Prabhāsa-kṣetra-māhātmya]

Chapter 203 - Purification of Nāgaras < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]

Chapter 199 - Greatness of Eight Nāgara Families < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]

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Later Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)

Temples in Melakkadambur < [Chapter II - Temples of Kulottunga I’s Time]

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