Balipitha, Balipīṭha, Bali-pitha: 8 definitions
Introduction:
Balipitha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstraBalipīṭha (बलिपीठ) refers to the “offering pedestal” usually found in front of the temple between the entrance door and dhvajastambha (‘flag post’). On the balipīṭhas are placed the daily food offerings for the respective deities present in the temple.
There are two kinds of balipīṭhas defined:
- pradhānabalipīṭha (kept in front of the main shrine),
- upabalipīṭha (the rest).
Balipīṭha (बलिपीठ) refers to “substitute altar (in place of an image of an Assessor) § 5.13.”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)Balipīṭha (बलिपीठ, “sacrifical seat”) refers to one of the several “attributes” (āyudha) or “accessories” of a detiy commonly seen depicted in Hindu iconography, defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—The śilpa texts have classified the various accessories under the broad heading of āyudha or karuvi (implement), including even flowers, animals, and musical instruments. The other miscellaneous articles found as attributes in the hands of the deities are, for example, Balipīṭha.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramBalipīṭha (बलिपीठ) refers to the place where beings to whom bali (animal sacrifice) is offered may be propitiated.—In Siddhānta temple ritual, beings to whom bali is offered may be propitiated and worshipped by making offerings at a distance in the directions around the main deity or in a separate maṇḍala called balipīṭha. In line with the normally vegetarian cult of Sadāśiva practiced in these temples, they receive animal substitutes, such as balls of boiled rice coloured yellow with turmeric powder.
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: Wisdom Library: PāñcarātraBalipīṭha (बलिपीठ) [=balipīṭhapratiṣṭhāpanavidhiḥ] refers to one of the topics discussed in chapter thirty-two of the Aniruddhasaṃhitā: an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama scripture in thirty-four chapters dealing with the varieties of worships, administration of sciences, rājadharma, town planning, expiation, installation of images, the rules regarding the construction of images, etc.
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: Heidelberg: Glory of the Tiruvanantapuram Padmanabhasvami TempleBalipīṭha (बलिपीठ) refers to the “pedestal for food offerings” of Hindu temples, according to the Syānandūrapuravarṇana-prabandha by Svāti-Tirunāḷ (1813-1846) (one of the rulers of Travancore) which deals with the different activities of the Thiruvananthapuram Temple, including ceremonies and festivals.—[...] The fifth chapter also gives a detailed sketch of the temple and its components, such as the balipīṭha (pedestal for food offerings) (5.8), various maṇḍapas (pillared halls) (5.9–10), vimānas (towers on top of the sanctum) (5.10), the single stone maṇḍapa (5.11), the dhvajastambha (flag-post) (5.12–14), the gopura (towers at the entrances) (5.14–15), the kulaśekharamaṇḍapa (5.15), etc.
Source: Yale Journal of Music & Religion: Ritual Music in Contemporary Brahmanical Tantric Temples of KeralaBalipīṭha (बलिपीठ) refers to “stones representing the eight regents of space” found at certain ancient temples from Kerala sanctioned by the Tantrasamuccaya.—Such temples, alternatively called kṣetras or ambalams, consist of six parts: (1) the shrine, or śrīkōvil, and (2) the pañcaprākāras, the five successive enclosures surrounding it. [...] The antarmaṇd̩ala is the innermost enclosure (prākāra). It surrounds the śrīkōvil and includes a pillared hall built in front of it and the balipīṭhas, which are stones representing the eight regents of space (aṣṭa-dikpālas) and other divinities.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusBalipīṭha (ಬಲಿಪೀಠ):—[noun] = ಬಲಿಕಲ್ಲು [balikallu].
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Pitha, Bali, Pita.
Starts with: Balipithalakshana.
Full-text: Balipithalakshana, Ashtadikpala, Antarmandala, Valiya-balikal, Dhvajastambha, Dvarapuja, Gopura, Mandapa, Vimana, Bahyahara, Vriddhakola, Nirmalya.
Relevant text
Search found 11 books and stories containing Balipitha, Balipīṭha, Bali-pitha, Bali-pīṭha; (plurals include: Balipithas, Balipīṭhas, pithas, pīṭhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Temples in and around Madurantakam (by B. Mekala)
Appendix 2: Thiru Venkateswara (Kadapperi) Temple Layout
Appendix 1: Kothandaramar Temple Layout
Temples of Munnur (Historical Study) (by R. Muthuraman)
Madavarayan mandapa < [Chapter 4]
Adavalleswarar or Adavalleeswarar Temple (Architecture) < [Chapter 4]
The Religion and Philosophy of Tevaram (Thevaram) (by M. A. Dorai Rangaswamy)
Nayanar 56: Pugazh Thunai (Pukalttunai) < [Volume 4.1.1 - A comparative study of the Shaivite saints the Thiruthondathogai]
Expiatory Rites in Keralite Tantra (by T. S. Syamkumar)
1.7. Expiatory Rites in Ājitāgama and Dīptāgama < [Chapter 2 - Expiatory Rites in Āgamic Literature]
Later Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)
Temples in Munnur (Munnuru) < [Chapter VI - Temples of Kulottunga II’s Time]
Appendix 1: Periyapuranam Sculptures in the temple at Darasuram < [Chapter VIII - Temples of Rajaraja II’s Time]
Appendix < [Chapter XII - Temples of Kulottunga III’s Time]
Parama Samhita (English translation) (by Krishnaswami Aiyangar)
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