Atmashuddhi, aka: Ātmaśuddhi, Atman-shuddhi; 5 Definition(s)

Introduction

Atmashuddhi means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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 Ātmaśuddhi can be transliterated into English as Atmasuddhi or Atmashuddhi, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Ātmaśuddhi (आत्मशुद्धि) refers to the first of the Pañcaśuddhi (“five internal purification process”), to be performed during pūjā (ritualistic worship), according to the Arcanāvidhipaṭala of Kāmikāgama.—First the Ācārya sits on an appropriate āsana (mat made of darbha grass, etc.) facing north. He then performs amṛtīkaraṇa, with the corresponding mantra, ritual action and mental dhyāna, invoking śivatattva using the mūlamantra and placing that energy in his palms using the pañcabrahma and aṅgamantra. This energizes his hands and makes it śivahasta. Then he performs karanyāsa and aṅganyāsa, energizing his arms and body parts with mantra, using either sṛṣṭi or saṃhāranyāsa. Only hands that are energized with karanyāsa are eligible and capable of performing all types of worship.

Then the Ācārya meditates on Śiva. By this process, he reigns in his manas that pervades the body and merges it in the hṛdayaguhya or the brahmarandhram. He visualizes the burning down of his body and creates it anew. Just as gold is purified by fire, the Ācārya is purified by jñānāgni. The Āgama terms the deśika in this state as “sākṣāt jīvanmukta”. After achieving this cittalaya, the Ācārya then performs kalāśodhana, visualizing the tattvas as given to him at the time of his dīkṣā. In the śaivasiddhānta model of the universe, there are thirty six tattvas starting from pṛthvī (earth) to paraśiva (the final tattva that transcends the universe and is beyond it, God).

The Ācārya performs dhāranā, where he meditates on the pañcabhūta, each associated with a different shape, colour, symbol, bīja, deity, mantra, aṅga, kalā and udgātā and places them on various parts of his body. Then he performs a special prāṇāyāma, with powerful visualizations of energy flows that merge with Śiva. He then meditates on the prāsādamantra, given to him at the time of dīkṣā. This meditation also involves powerful visualizations, uprooting the ties of saṃsāra, washing it, burning down of the ties, blowing the resulting ashes, destroying the mahāmāyāśarīra and recreating a pure śaktiśarīra.

In that new śarīra, with the appropriate mantra and mudrā, the Ācārya invokes a pure Ātman and performs nyāsa. The Ācārya places the mālāmantra from head to toe, then akṣaranyāsa and tattvanyāsa. Finally, he performs pūjā in his hṛdaya, homa in his nābhi and reaches samādhi between the eyebrows. This, in short, is ātmaśuddhi. This also gives us an idea of the concept of Yoga as established in śaivasiddhānta.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

ātmaśuddhi (आत्मशुद्धि).—f S Self-purification: also purification or purified state of the spirit or soul.

ātmaśuddhi (आत्मशुद्धि).—f Self purification.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Ātmaśuddhi (आत्मशुद्धि).—f. self-purification; Ms.11.164; योगिनः कर्म कुर्वन्ति संगं त्यक्त्वाऽत्मशुद्धये (yoginaḥ karma kurvanti saṃgaṃ tyaktvā'tmaśuddhaye) Bg.5.11.

Derivable forms: ātmaśuddhiḥ (आत्मशुद्धिः).

Ātmaśuddhi is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ātman and śuddhi (शुद्धि).

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