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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Dhvajārohaṇadevatāhvānavidhi (ध्वजारोहणदेवताह्वानविधि) (lit. “concerning flag-hoisting rites and invocations of the gods.”) is the name of chapter 23 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 [dhvajārohaṇadevatāhvānavidhi]: Brahmā asks about the conduct of the mahotsava festival routines. Bhagavān replies by eulogizing utsavas in general, defining “utsava” as that which takes away saṃsāra. He says there are three types of festivals—nitya, naimittika and kāmya (1-6). In order to set the date for a 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or 12 day festival, one must first determine the time for the concluding tīrtha-celebration and then work back (7-11a). As for dhvajārcana-flag-hoisting rites, these are not necessary when only a 1 or 3 day festival is being called, but for longer festivals the rite is necessary (11b).

The preparations for the mahotsava-festival begin with the construction of a maṇḍapa, the decoration of surrounding streets, the issuance of invitations to ṛtviks, etc. (12-21).

Before the festival proper commences, the god will have been ritually bathed; the flag raised and germinations of seedlings attended to (22-233). Details of the flag-raising rites are given by discussing the preparation of the flag (23a-39) and its hoisting (40-47). This is to be followed by a consecration of the musical instruments to be used during the utsava (48b-60), whereupon an invocation is made by the Ācārya to all the gods to be present at the forthcoming utsara accompanied by specific drum-beats (61-62a). Then, the balibera-icon followed by the utsavabera-icon are taken in procession and bali-offerings are made in all the directions (62b-96a).

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: Vidhi, Viti.

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