Avahana, aka: Āvahana, Āvāhana, Avāhana; 9 Definition(s)

Introduction

Avahana means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, 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.

In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Āvāhana (आवाहन) or Āvāhanamudrā is the name of a mudrā described in the Īśvarasaṃhitā 66.—Accordingly, “the right hand shall be slightly bent in the direction of the heart. The two thumbs shall be held apart and be more visible. This is the mudrā for invocation”. Mūdra (eg., Āvāha-mudrā) is so called as it gives joy to the tattvas in the form of karman for those who offer spotless worship, drive out the defects which move about within and without and sealing up of what is done.

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.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Āvāhana (आवाहन) and Utsavana refers to rituals involving dhruvaberas (consecrated images installed within the garbhagṛha of the temple).—The tirumañjanam (holy adoration) with oil, milk, and ghee is not performed for the dhruva-bera every day. Instead, the energies of the presiding deity are consecrated into another image called kautuka which is made out of metal and placed nearby. This ritual is called āvāhana. The energies that are transferred from the dhruva-bera to the kautuka every morning are again anchored back into the main deity every night. This is known as utsavana. Thus, the two rituals āvāhana and utsavana are carried out to the dhruva-bera every day.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Āvāhana (आवाहन, “invocation”) refers to 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, invocation (āvāhana)] [...] 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”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

āvahana : (nt.) (in cpds.), bringing; bearing; conducive. || āvāhana (nt.) taking in marriage; wedding.

Āvāhana, (nt.) (ā + vshana, of vah) — 1. = āvāha, i.e. marriage, taking a wife D. I, 11 (= āvāha-karaṇa DA. I, 96).—2. “getting up, bringing together＂, i.e. a mass, a group or formation, in senā° a contingent of an army J. IV, 91. (Page 112)

— or —

Āvahana, (adj) (-°) (= āvaha) bringing, causing Th. 1, 519; Sn. 256. (Page 112)

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Marathi-English dictionary

āvāhana (आवाहन).—n S Summoning or invoking (a divinity to occupy an image just prepared to receive him, or to enter into any object, when, for the due performance of some rite or ceremony, his presence is required). 2 Summoning or calling.

āvāhana (आवाहन).—n Invoking; calling.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Avāhana (अवाहन).—a. Having no carriage, not driving in a carriage.

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Āvahana (आवहन).—Bringing near, producing.

Derivable forms: āvahanam (आवहनम्).

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Āvāhana (आवाहन).—

1) Sending for, inviting, calling.

2) Invoking a deity (to be present) (opp. visarjana); आवाहने विनियोगः, आवाहनं न जानामि न जानामि तवार्चनम् (āvāhane viniyogaḥ, āvāhanaṃ na jānāmi na jānāmi tavārcanam) Pūjā Mantra.

3) Offering oblations to fire; आवाहनाग्नौकरणरहितं ह्यपसव्यवत् (āvāhanāgnaukaraṇarahitaṃ hyapasavyavat) Y.1.251.

-nī A particular position of the hands at the time of invoking a deity; हस्ताभ्यामञ्जलिं बद्ध्वाऽनामिका- मूलपर्वणोः । अङ्गुष्ठौ निक्षिपेत्सेयं मुद्रा त्वावाहनी स्मृता (hastābhyāmañjaliṃ baddhvā'nāmikā- mūlaparvaṇoḥ | aṅguṣṭhau nikṣipetseyaṃ mudrā tvāvāhanī smṛtā) || Śabdak.

Derivable forms: āvāhanam (आवाहनम्).

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