The Sanskrit term Hṛdayālambhana can be transliterated into English as Hrdayalambhana or Hridayalambhana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Hṛdayālambhana (हृदयालम्भन) or “touching the heart” refers to a certain ritual performed during the marriage ceremony, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.50 (“Description of fun and frolic”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “O Nārada, thereafter at the bidding of Śiva, I carried out the concluding ceremonies of the wedding of Śiva and Pārvatī joyously through the sages. Their ceremonial head-bath was respectfully gone through. The Brahmins showed the Pole star Dhruva with respect. Thereafter the rite of Hṛdayālambhana was performed. O great Brahmin, then Svastipāṭha was jubilantly celebrated. [...]”.

Note: During Hṛdayālambhana, the husband touches the heart of the bride reaching over her right shoulder. The heart is the centre of feelings. By touching it the husband symbolically tries to rouse them and make them flow out to meet his own heart and thus unite them in the world of love.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: Oxford Academic: Homo Ritualis: Hindu Ritual and Its Significance to Ritual Theory

Hṛdayālambhana (हृदयालम्भन) refers to “touching the heart”, and represents one of the traditional marriage rituals, according to Dadhirāma Marāsini’s 19th century Vivāhapaddhati (part of his Karmakāṇḍabhāskara) which is based on the Pāraskara-Gṛhyasūtra, a domestic manual in the Mādhyandina school of the Vājasaneyisaṃhitā.—If performed traditionally, high caste marriages among the Parbatiyas (Parbates/Paharis/Pahadis) or Indo-Nepalese people in Nepal are normally executed by following the course of events as presented in marriage manuals. The Hṛdayālambhana rite is mentioned under the header called Other vivāha rites.

context information

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Hridaya, Alambhana.

Full-text: Alambhana, Sheshakritya, Svastipatha, Dhruvadarshana, Abhisheka.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Hridayalambhana, Hṛdayālambhana, Hṛdaya-ālambhana, Hridaya-alambhana, Hrdayalambhana, Hrdaya-alambhana; (plurals include: Hridayalambhanas, Hṛdayālambhanas, ālambhanas, alambhanas, Hrdayalambhanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)

Chapter 50 - Description of fun and frolic < [Section 2.3 - Rudra-saṃhitā (3): Pārvatī-khaṇḍa]

show preview