Pancaratra, aka: Pañcarātra, Panca-ratra, Pāñcarātra, Pancan-ratra; 5 Definition(s)

Introduction

Pancaratra 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.

Alternative spellings of this word include Pancharatra.

In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Pāñcarātra (पाञ्चरात्र) or Pāñcarātrāgama refers to one of the two classifications of Vaiṣṇavāgamas: one of the three classes of āgamas (traditionally communicated wisdom).—Texts of the Pāñcara Āgamas are divided in to two sects. It is believed that Lord Vāsudeva revealed the first group of texts which are called Divya and the next group is called Muniprokta which are further divided in to three viz. a. Sāttvika. b. Rājasa. c. Tāmasa.

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

1) Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र).—An āgama (a system of philosophy). (Chapter 218, Śānti Parva).

2) Pāñcarātra (पाञ्चरात्र).—A book of spiritual doctrines. He who learns this will attain the position of Uparicaravasu. Śloka 25, Chapter 325, Śānti Parva).

Pāñcarātra (पाञ्चरात्र) refers to a system of worship that was once commonly practised in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) according to the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—Pāñcarātra system of worship is prescribed for the worship of Viṣṇu, which in its turn anticipates the popularity of the Pāñcarātra cult in Kaśmīra. The cults of the Bhāgavatas and the Pāñcarātras were originally different; the former had Vāsudeva-Nārāyaṇa as their deity and the latter worshipped four Vyūhas, namely, Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Aniruddha and Pradyumna.

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र).—Vedic literatures describing the process of Deity worship.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Pāñcarātra (पाञ्चरात्र).—Name of a Vaiṣṇava sect and its doctrine; भक्तिमार्ग (bhaktimārga); परस्पराङ्गान्येतानि पाञ्चरात्रं च कथ्यते । एष एकान्तिनां धर्मो नारायणपरात्मकः (parasparāṅgānyetāni pāñcarātraṃ ca kathyate | eṣa ekāntināṃ dharmo nārāyaṇaparātmakaḥ) || Mb.12.348.82.

Derivable forms: pāñcarātram (पाञ्चरात्रम्).

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Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र).—

1) a period of five nights; इत्यर्थं वयमानीताः पञ्चरात्रोऽपि विद्यते (ityarthaṃ vayamānītāḥ pañcarātro'pi vidyate) Pañch.3.24.

2) Name of one of Bhāsa's dramas.

3) Name of a philosophical treatise attributed to Nārada.

4) Name of an अहीन (ahīna) (sacrifice) lasting for 5 days; स एतं पञ्चरात्रं पुरुषमेधं यज्ञक्रतुमपश्यत् (sa etaṃ pañcarātraṃ puruṣamedhaṃ yajñakratumapaśyat) Śat. Br.; cf. Mb.12.218. 11.

Derivable forms: pañcarātram (पञ्चरात्रम्).

Pañcarātra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms pañcan and rātra (रात्र).

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