The Sanskrit term Daśākṣaravidhi can be transliterated into English as Dasaksaravidhi or Dashaksharavidhi, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Daśākṣaravidhi (दशाक्षरविधि) or “rules for using the daśākṣara” is the name of the thirtieth chapter of the Agastyasaṃhitā (agastya-suīkṣṇa-saṃvāda edition), an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama text dealing with the worship of Rāma, Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa and Hanumān.

Description of the chapter [daśākṣaravidhi]: Sutīkṣṇa asks to know what the “daśākṣara” method, as well as the others, is in reference to making an image of Rāma. He is told first that Rāma should be shown seated in the vīrāsana-position on a lotus-seat. He should have but two arms. He should be depicted with lovely eyes and so holding Sītā on His knee that His encircling arm touches her breast while His free hand manifests the jñāna-mudrā. The position and posture of Lakṣmaṇa and Hanumān are also described. So the grouping will be when Rāma is made according to the “daśākṣara” method of making an image. When He is made according to the “dvādaśākṣara” method. He is shown in a regal disposition, surrounded by sages, his three brothers, Sītā, et al. Appropriate details are furnished for describing each of these figures.

Three other methods—the “saptākṣara”, the “aṣṭākṣara” and the “ekākṣara”—are described : One reveals Rāma primarily as a warrior with Lakṣmaṇa, another as a warrior without Lakṣmaṇa, and the third as central figure among His male retinue and without Sītā. Other methods are alluded to, any one of which might be used for worship or meditation icons of Rāma.

The way one worships any one of these ( groups of ?) images is by nyāsa, mūla-mantras (=japa), etc.—just so long as it has been “vitalized” [prāṇapratiṣṭhā] according to the rules. The mantras used for Lakṣmaṇa, Śatrughna and Hanumān are to be prepared according to the rules, also.

Sutīkṣṇa asks what these rules are. He is told these rules as well as the usual details concerning each (e.g., the ṛṣi for Lakṣmaṇa’s mantra is Agastya, the meter is gāyatrī, the deity to whom it is addressed is Lakṣmaṇa, the syllable is “laṃ”, and the śakti is “namaḥ”). As for worship, Lakṣmaṇa is stated to deserve as careful attention as Rāma Himself ; indeed, both Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa are to be worshipped thrice daily. The reason for this is that they represent Ultimate Reality, and by worshipping them together only does one properly worship God and gain the fruits thereof.

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: Dashakshara, Vidhi, Viti.

Full-text: Ekakshara, Dashakshara, Saptakshara, Pranapratishtha, Ashtakshara.

Relevant text

No search results for Dashaksharavidhi, Daśākṣaravidhi, Daśākṣara-vidhi, Dashakshara-vidhi, Dasaksara-vidhi, Dasaksaravidhi; (plurals include: Dashaksharavidhis, Daśākṣaravidhis, vidhis, Dasaksaravidhis) in any book or story.