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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Bāhyapūjā (बाह्यपूजा) refers to “liturgical worship”, according to the eleventh 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 bhūtaśuddhi]:—[...] Next regular, external or liturgical worship [bāhyapūjā] is arranged for by securing a platform upon which a maṇḍala-design is disposed. The maṇḍala-design is to be of the eight-petalled lotus motif, surrounded by a rectangle and other designs. The finished maṇḍala-design is worshipped and a siṃhāsana-seat is placed on it and festooned, etc. [...] For the bāhyapūjā itself, flowers, tulasī, etc. are gathered, vessels with pure water are strategically placed, Vedic scholars are invited to be present the worshipper spreads a tiger-skin and sits on it, and offers a garland to Rāma. Sandal-paste, other flowers, etc., are then offered to the deity. A particular posture must be assumed when Vināyaka and others are worshipped.

2) Bāhyapūjā (बाह्यपूजा) or “formal, liturgical worship” is the name of the twenty-sixth chapter of the Agastyasaṃhitā.—Accordingly: Agastya says that formal, liturgical worship [bāhyapūjā] of Rama may be done in one's own house, provided certain appointments and paraphernalia can be furnished. What these items are is mentioned, along with options and varieties. As part of the daily pūjā, and to validate it, a śaṅkha-pūjā must be done—like the regular pūjā itself, thrice daily. Dhūpa and dīpa are offered, as well as foodstuffs [naivedya] followed by betel. One who worships thus becomes a king like Rama Himself. [...] Sutīkṣṇa says that he is pleased to have heard about nyāsas and how to do them [ see adhy. XI, XXIV, above] ; but now he would like to know what happens to people who cannot, for one reason or another, do those nyāsas, Agastya says that, ideally, the nyāsas simply must be done by anyone who seeks the reward that a mantra promises. And thereupon he names over the nyāsas once again—paramahaṃsanyāsa and praṇavanyāsa being two new additions to his previous list. Later on, he sanctions mere utterance of mantras for those unable to accompany them with the nyāsas. [...] Then for the remainder of the chapter there is a repetition of the injunctions for when and how and why Rama's birthday is to be commemorated [see adhy. XXVa, above ].

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Bahya, Puja.

Full-text: Bhutashuddhi, Shriramanavamiprashamsa.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Bahyapuja, Bāhyapūjā, Bahya-puja, Bāhya-pūjā; (plurals include: Bahyapujas, Bāhyapūjās, pujas, pūjās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Shakti and Shakta (by John Woodroffe)

Chapter XXVI - Śākta Sādhanā (the Ordinary Ritual) < [Section 3 - Ritual]

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