The Sanskrit term Gandhāṣṭaka can be transliterated into English as Gandhastaka or Gandhashtaka, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: JSTOR: Tāntric Dīkṣā by Surya Kanta

Gandhāṣṭaka (गन्धाष्टक) refers to a “a mixture of eight fragrant substances” and is part of the rituals performed one day before Dīkṣā: an important ritual of Śāktism described in the Śāradātilaka-tantra, chapters III-V.—Gandhāṣṭaka is churned in a conch shell filled with boiled water and all the kalās (94 in number) are invoked and worshipped. Then the rite of the infusion of life (prāṇa-pratiṣṭhā) is performed and the boiled water is thrown into the pitcher.

Gandhāṣṭaka is of three kinds according as it is offered to Śaktī, Viṣṇu or Śiva, Gandhāṣṭaka for Śaktī consists of Sandal, aloe-wood, camphor, ‘cora’ (bhaṭūra in Kanauji), saffron, yellow pigment, jaṭāmāṃsī and kapi. Gandhāṣṭaka for Viṣṇu consists of Sandal, Aloe wood, hrīvera or hrīvela (a kind of perfume ), kuṣṭha ( a sort of medicinal plant), saffron, Aśvattha (sevyaka), jaṭāmāṃsī and mura ( a fragrant plant). Gandhāṣṭaka for Śiva consists of sandal, aloe-wood, camphor, tamāla, water, saffron, kuśīta and kuṣṭha.

context information

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Gandhāṣṭaka (गन्धाष्टक).—a mixture of 8 fragrant substances offered to deities, varying in kind according to the nature of the deity to whom they are offered. Generally sandal, camphor, saffron, उशीर (uśīra), cyperus pertenuis (Mar. nāgaramothā), गोरोचन, देवदार (gorocana, devadāra) and a flower are used in the mixture.

Derivable forms: gandhāṣṭakam (गन्धाष्टकम्).

Gandhāṣṭaka is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms gandha and aṣṭaka (अष्टक).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gandhāṣṭaka (गन्धाष्टक).—n.

(-kaṃ) A class of eight fragrant articles used in worship, &c. as a sandal, agallochum, camphor, saffron, valerian, and some fragrant grasses. E. gandha, and aṣṭaka eight collectively.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gandhāṣṭaka (गन्धाष्टक):—[from gandha] n. a mixture of 8 fragrant substances varying according to the deities to whom they are offered (e.g. the eight articles, sandal, Agallochum, camphor, saffron, valerian, and some fragrant grasses).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gandhāṣṭaka (गन्धाष्टक):—[gandhā+ṣṭaka] (kaṃ) 1. n. Eight fragrant scents mixed together.

[Sanskrit to German]

Gandhashtaka in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Ashtaka, Gandha.

Full-text: Merutantra.

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Search found 1 books and stories containing Gandhashtaka, Gandhāṣṭaka, Gandha-ashtaka, Gandha-aṣṭaka, Gandha-astaka, Gandhastaka; (plurals include: Gandhashtakas, Gandhāṣṭakas, ashtakas, aṣṭakas, astakas, Gandhastakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)

Chapter 80 - Month-wise Rites Prescribed for a Viṣṇu Devotee < [Section 5 - Pātāla-Khaṇḍa (Section on the Nether World)]

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