Bhupariksha, Bhūparīkṣā, Bhu-pariksha: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Bhupariksha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 Bhūparīkṣā can be transliterated into English as Bhupariksa or Bhupariksha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Google Books: Consecration Rituals In South AsiaBhūparikṣā (भूपरिक्षा) refers to one of the chapters of the Devyāmata: an Early Śaiva Pratiṣṭhātantra dating back to the 5th century CE dealing with topics related to temple construction, consecration rituals, and iconography.—The Devyāmata is written in the form of a dialogue between Śiva and the Goddess. It begins with the praśnapaṭala, ‘the chapter on questions’, in which Devī tells Śiva what topics she would like to learn about. The answers are provided in the following chapters [e.g., bhūparikṣā], of which each is dedicated to one specific subject.
Source: archive.org: Bharatiya vastu-sastraBhūparīkṣā (भूपरीक्षा) or Bhūmiparīkṣā refers to the “examination of the soil-conditions”, according to the Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra.—Out of its eighty- three chapters, in its first forty-eight chapters, it treats three principal subjects. Firstly in the first seven chapters together with the forty-fourth and forty-fifth, the introductory subjects like need, origin, schools, scope and subject-matter of architecture and qualifications of an architect are dealt with. Next follow the regional planning, the surveying of the land, the examination of the soil-conditions (Bhūparikṣā 8) and the system of measurements (Hastalakṣaṇa 9) and the detailed canons of town-planning (Puraniveśa 10) together with the site-plans (II to 14 as well as 38), of the different categories of the Vāstupadas fit to be employed in towns and temples as well as the houses residential and the palaces of kings. Thirdly, it deals with the house-architecture (civil arcitecture or popular architecture or more appropriately the secular architecture as opposed to religious or devotional architecture, the temple-architecture) in the subsequent thirty chapters.
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (vastu)1) Bhūparīkṣā (भूपरीक्षा) (lit. “examination of a plot for building a temple”) is the name of chapter 2 of the Mārkaṇḍeyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2200 Sanskrit verses mainly dealing with temple-building, iconography, pūjā (worship procedures), utsava (festivities) and prāyaścitta (expiatory measures).
Description of chapter [bhūparīkṣā]: For selecting a place to build a temple, only certain acceptable kinds of land should be considered (1-10). Once a plot has been selected, then some rites must be performed, including a ritual ploughing and invocation of God’s Presence (11-27). Formal fire-offerings are to be made, too, along with other preliminary sanctifying rituals before the architect [śilpin] with the director [ācārya] can take steps to commence construction (28-39). Those who undertake such a building program (i.e., those who elect to be a Yajamāna-patron) will reap immeasurable rewards in this life and hereafter; as token payment the patron [yajamāna] must at this point reward those who have helped him so far in the project (40-44). The construction program begins with a ritual burial of precious gems, etc. [garbhanyāsa], followed by other initiatory ceremonies (45-53).
2) Bhūparīkṣā (भूपरीक्षा) (lit. “examining the plot”) is the name of chapter 1 of the Viṣvaksenasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 2800 Sanskrit verses dealing with theological matters, image-worship, iconography (relating to pratimā-icons) and the construction of temples.
Description of the chapter [bhūparīkṣā]: The narrator turns here to the concerns of examining the plot on which a temple is to be built. Once selected, rituals of pacification are to be undertaken by making homa-offerings and reciting mantras followed, next day, by plotting out the plan of the future temple with pegs and string (1-20). Actual construction is to be done by śilpin-artisans under the supervision of a properly-qualified Ācārya-director. The first thing to be attended to is the construction of the bālālaya temple-in-miniature. Then, gems are to be buried at the exact site of the permanent garbhagṛha-sanctuary in a rite known as garbhādhāna (21-38a).
3) Bhūparīkṣā (भूपरीक्षा) refers to the “examination of the soil”, as discussed in chapter 1 (Kriyāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [grāma-svīkāra]:—[...] A man who wants to build an abode of the Lord on earth and who undertakes to support the various rituals connected with the construction of the temple is called a yajamāna-patron, his qualifications are given. His first task is to appoint a qualified ācārya who will supervise the entire building program (12-19). Together with a skilled craftsman the three select a suitable site, perform a ritual examination of the soil (bhūparīkṣā), testing it for various qualities of fertility, consistency, taste and color and then perform praveśabali-rites with offerings and a procession (20-47). Then pegs and strings are laid to mark off the plot, and a pacification of vāstupuruṣa is sought with homa-offerings, followed by a bali-offering (48-55).
Source: eScholarship: The descent of scripture: a history of the Kamikagama (vastu)Bhūparikṣā (भूपरिक्षा) refers to “evaluating a construction site”, according to the Kāmikāgama: an ancient Śaiva Āgama scripture in 12,000 Sanskrit verses dating to at least the 5th century and represented as an encyclopedic account of ritual instructions (kriyāpāda).—In modern print editions, the Kāmika-āgama is structured in two major parts. The Pūrvabhāga consists of 75 chapters (paṭalas) [...] Chapters 9 to 34 present a general account of the principles and preliminary rites for the construction of temples, houses, buildings, and settlements. [...] Chapter 11 outlines criteria for evaluating a construction site (bhūparikṣā). In Chapters 12 and 13, there are descriptions of offerings to be made at the entrance to the site and a procedure for taking possession of the site. Chapter 14 provides directions for the ploughing of the earth that is to precede construction.
Source: Shodhganga: Iconography in Prayogamanjari and Saivagamanibandhana (a study) (vs)Bhūparīkṣā (भूपरीक्षा) refers to one of the topics dealt with in the first chapter of the Puṭayūrbhāṣā, a Tantric text written by one Vāsudeva who belongs to the Putayur Illam in North Malabar in Kerala.—The Puṭayūrbhāṣā is also known as Kriyādīpikā. It is in verse form written in Malayalam. Thus this treatise is named as Puṭayūrbhāṣā. The period of this text is regarded as 1345 AD. The text consists of twelve paṭalas. The first paṭala deals with the bhūparīkṣā, vāstubali, śilāparigraha, śilālakṣaṇa etc. [...] Even though the text gives various names of deities and their worshipping mantras, Śiva is seen given importance.
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) Bhūparīkṣā (भूपरीक्षा) refers to the “ritual examination of the temple-ground”, as discussed in the sixteenth chapter of the Īśvarasaṃhitā (printed edition), a Pāñcarātra work in 8200 verses and 24 chapters dealing with topics such as routines of temple worship, major and minor festivals, temple-building and initiation.—Description of the chapter [prāsādādipratiṣṭhā-vidhi]: A yajamāna-patron who proposes to build a temple should first engage a suitably qualified Ācārya to supervise the task, and these two together should select a śilpin. Then the three together should locate a desirable place to construct the temple (1-12). After the ground has been ritually examined [bhūparīkṣā], then, as part of the liturgy of taking possession of it, a hut [parṇakuṭī] is built (13-30) wherein a pot representing Nārāyaṇa is placed and offered appropriate homage (31-48). Then the sthapati measures off the plot and, with numerous ceremonies, digs a pit at the place where the future garbhagṛha-sanctuary is to be raised (49-77). [...]
2) Bhūparīkṣā (भूपरीक्षा) refers to “examining a plot for a temple site”, as discussed in chapter 2 of the Puruṣottamasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text consisting of more than 1800 verses devoted to temple-building and the practical concerns of the Pāñcarātra priestly community.—Description of the chapter [ācāryādilakṣaṇa-bhūparīkṣā-vidhi]: [...] An Ācārya is engaged for the directorial tasks (in the temple-building enterprise). Whereupon the first thing to be done is to go out to select the proper piece of ground (bhūparīkṣā) on which to build the temple (9-23) At the site selected a hole is to be dug, and it is to be ritually filled in (24-31) before construction commences.
3) Bhūparīkṣā (भूपरीक्षा) refers to “choosing the ground-plot (for yāga)” as discussed in chapter 2 of the Pauṣkarasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text of almost 5900 verses divided into forty-three chapters presented as a frame-work dialogue between Pauṣkara and Bhagavān dealing with the esoteric meaning of maṇḍala-designs, worship routines and temple-building.—Description of the chapter [bhūparīkṣā-lakṣaṇa]: Only certain kinds of desirable places are advisable for constructing a maṇḍala of any kind (1-10). The specific characteristics of such a peaceful place are given, along with the benefits of using various kinds of recommended places (11-25). Once an acceptable place is found, then care must be taken to locate within it the best spot for the eventual homa-sacrifice and for the bali-offerings which must be done to appease the local spirits (26-36). The area is further purified by allowing cows to graze there for three days (37). On the fourth day the plot is ploughed, packed down smoothly, sprinkled with seeds, etc. (38-45a).
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: Pariksha, Bhu.
Starts with: Bhuparikshalakshana, Bhuparikshavidhi.
Full-text: Bhuparikshavidhi, Bhuparikshalakshana, Pariksha, Bhumipariksha, Yajamana, Vastubali, Shilaparigraha, Shilalakshana, Puranivesha, Hastalakshana, Parnakuti, Shivavipra, Garbhanyasa, Garbhadhana, Prasadadipratishthavidhi, Gramasvikara, Balalaya, Acaryalakshana.
Relevant text
Search found 12 books and stories containing Bhupariksha, Bhūparīkṣā, Bhupariksa, Bhū-parīkṣā, Bhu-pariksha, Bhu-pariksa, Bhū-parikṣā, Bhūparikṣā; (plurals include: Bhuparikshas, Bhūparīkṣās, Bhupariksas, parīkṣās, parikshas, pariksas, parikṣās, Bhūparikṣās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Temple worship and Rituals as per Shaiva Agamas (by Gayathri Balasubramanian)
Part 2.2 - The ritual of Bhu-pariksha (Examination of sites) < [Chapter 3 - Temple Rituals]
Part 2.1 - The ritual of Desha-Nirdesha (Description of sites) < [Chapter 3 - Temple Rituals]
Part 2.4 - Karshana-vidhi (the rite of ploughing) < [Chapter 3 - Temple Rituals]
Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture) (by D. N. Shukla)
(v,4) Vāstu in Kauṭilya’s Arthaśāstra < [Chapter 4 - An outline History of Hindu Architecture]
(vi) Mayamata [Mayamatam] (Summary) < [Chapter 5 - Study of Hindu Science of Architecture]
(v) Mānasāra (Summary) < [Chapter 5 - Study of Hindu Science of Architecture]
Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study) (by K. Vidyuta)
4. Fundamental Canons of Architecture (Introduction) < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
4.1. Bhūparīkṣā (selection of the plot) < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
2. Kāśyapa Śilpaśāstra (Introduction) < [Chapter 2 - Author and his Works]
Prayogamanjari and Saivagamanibandhana (Study) (by R. Suthashi)
Putayurbhasa (summary) < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Mayamata and Building Construction (study) (by Ripan Ghosh)
Introduction < [Chapter 4 - Pre-arrangement of Building Construction]
Part 1 - Bhūparīkṣā: Examination and taking possession of construction site < [Chapter 4 - Pre-arrangement of Building Construction]
Part 2 - Mayamata: a brief account (Summary) < [Chapter 3 - Mayamata: a Treatise on Vāstu]