Pancaratra, Pamcaratra, Panca-ratra, Pancan-ratra, Pañcarātra, Pāñcarātra: 20 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Vaishnavism
2. Purana
3. Pancaratra
4. Shaktism
5. Yoga
6. Nirukta
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Kannada
See also
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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 Pancaratra.

In Hinduism

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: ISKCON Press: Glossary

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

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)

Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र) refers to “group of devotional scriptures that assist in the practice of the principal limbs of bhakti; they cover five topics: (a) the process of cleansing the temple, (b) performing āratika with flowers, incense, etc., (c) worship, bathing, etc. of the deity of Śrī Viṣṇu, (d) the performance of meditation on the holy name and on śrī gāyatrī, (e) recita-tion of verses and prayers, performance of nāma-kīrtana and study of scriptures such as Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which establish tattva-jñāna. The Pañcarātras are numerous, some of them being prominent in the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava lineage: Śrī Nārada-pañcarātra, Śrī Hayaśīrṣa-pañcarātra and Śrī Śāṇḍilya-pañcarātra”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Arcana-dipika - 3rd Edition

Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र) refers to:—A section of the Vedic scriptures. There are many Pañcarātras. Those mostly referred to by the Gauḍīya sampradayā are Śrī Nārada-pañcarātra, Śrī Hayaśīrṣa-pañcarātra and Śrī Śāṇḍilya-pañcarātra. (cf. Glossary page from Arcana-dīpikā).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र) refers to:—System of Deity worship initiated by Śrī Nārada; a group of scriptures that support the process of bhakti. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

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).

Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study

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.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Pāñcarātra (पाञ्चरात्र) refers to a branch of the Mūlāgama (i.e., that scripture which outshines the 5-fold knowledge), as discussed in chapter 38 of the Pauṣkarasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text of almost 5900 verses divided into forty-three chapters presented as a frame-work dialogue between Pauṣkara and Bhagavān dealing with the esoteric meaning of maṇḍala-designs, worship routines and temple-building.—[Cf. the chapter adhikāranirūpaṇa]: [...] [Regarding Mantrasiddhānta, Tantrasiddhānta and Tantrāntara]: These systems collectively may be referred to as mūlāgama and this in turn has two branches-one called siddhānta (of the types already mentioned) and the other called Pañcarātra. The Pāñcarātra refers to that scripture which by virtue of its benefits outshines the 5-fold knowledge which is found in the systems of Vedas, Vedānta, Purāṇas, Sāṃkhya and Yoga (303-309).

2) Pāñcarātra (पाञ्चरात्र) refers to the “explanation and filling out of the ekāyana teachings”, as discussed in chapter 2 of the Śrīpraśnasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 5500 Sanskrit verses covering a number of subjects ranging from selecting a temple site through building and furnishing it to sanctifying and maintaining worship in the sacred complex.—Description of the chapter [śāstropadeśa]: [...] What is Pāñcarātra? “Ratri” means ajñāna (40a); “Pañca” means the destroyer [from pañcatvam=death?] of this ajñāna (40a). Hence the science that deals with the destruction of ignorance is called “Pāñcarātra-śāstra” (40b). This Śāstra, very popular among the nityasūris, contains 1-1/2 crores of verses and, like the Vedas [vedavat], it is eternal [anādi]. In the Pāñcarātra-śāstra alone does one get the means to mokṣa [...]

3) Pāñcarātra (पाञ्चरात्र) is explained in chapter 3 of the Viśvāmitrasaṃhitā.—Accordingly, Pāñcarātra is defined as follows—the 5 bhūta-elements, being the objects of the 5 sense-organs, are those things which are considered to be rātri, and these 5 “darknesses” lead men to ignorance from which only the present (pāñcarātra) āgama rescues them (49b-51a). Then follows an eulogy of the pāñcarātrāgama (52-54a).

Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva (pancaratra)

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.

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa (p)

Pāñcarātra (पाञ्चरात्र) refers to one of the two divisions of the Vaiṣṇava Āgamas (the other being Pāñcarātra).—Pāñcarātra is so called because it comprises the five discourses delivered by Lord Nārāyaṇa to the five deities, Brahmā, Indra, Rudra and other Devas respectively. Some opine that it is so called because, the other five schools of philosophy, Sāṅkhya, Yoga and others were obscured by it. (‘rātri’ meaning diminish or obscure) says the Aniruddha Saṃhitā (I. 34cd-35).

The term ‘pāñcarātra’ could also allude to the five modes of knowledge according to the Pauṣkara Saṃhitā. (38.307). The word ‘rātra’ denoting knowledge, refers to the five kinds of knowledge (Nāradapāñcarātra, 9.9). The five saṃskāras are tapa, puṇḍra, nāma, mantra and yoga says Viṣṇutilaka Saṃhitā (IV.189. 90b). The word ‘pāñcarātra’ could also point to the important vyūha doctrine i.e. the five forms of Nārāyaṇa as Para, Vyūha, Vibhava, Antaryāmin and Arcā. The Viṣṇutantra (I. 74-6) maintains that the term ‘pāñcarātra’ refers to the five elements–earth, air, fire, air and ether, as fetters which bind the souls to this world and Pāñcarātra is the science which eschews the ignorance brought about by these elements.

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र) refers to “five nights”, according to the second recension of the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “In the meantime, once the goddess had crossed over the most excellent Yoga and once the fifth night [i.e., pañcarātra—vyatīte pañcame rātre] had passed, she emerged from the middle of the Liṅga. (This took place) in an auspicious (śiva) month on the auspicious (śiva) eighth (day of the lunar month) at the end of the middle of the night. She has the form of a sixteen (year-old girl), is dark blue and red and has three eyes. She laughs subtly and is adorned with six faces. She has twelve arms, a crooked form and faces downwards”.

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.

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र) refers to the “time of five nights ”, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Vāmadeva: “[...] [Now], I shall define the nature of that highest, mind-free absorption which arises for those devoted to constant practice. [...] By means of an absorption for five [days and] nights (pañcarātra), the faculty of hearing from afar, which causes great wonder, certainly arises for the [Yogin]. [...]”.

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Nirukta (Sanskrit etymology)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (etymology)

Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र) etymologically refers to “that which protects human beings”, as discussed in chapter 2 of the Viśvāmitrasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2600 Sanskrit verses covering topics such as initiation (dīkṣā) and the construction, decoration and consecration of temples and icons, as well as routines of regular and special worship cycles.—Description of the chapter [pāñcarātra-māhātmya]: Kāśyapa asks Viśvāmitra to tell him, before going into the resumé further, to clarify first the meaning of the term “pañcarātra” and then to tell its form and extent (1-2). Thereupon, Viśvāmitra says that “pañca-” stands for the five sense-organs [indriya], their respective objects [viṣaya], the five elements [bhūta], and their respective qualities [guṇa] (3-4a). The root-word “rā” refers to that which supports and forms the base of operations for the indriyas, their viṣayas, the bhūtas and their gunas—none other than the human being himself. Thus, we have the meaning of “pañcara-”. The element “-tra” refers to that which protects the human being. Hence, “pañcarātra” refers to that which “protects human beings” (4b-5).

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa (nirukta)

Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र) as explained by the Viśvāmitra Saṃhitā (2. 3-5).—The term ‘pañca’ refers to the group of five sense organs, five elements and their qualities. The term ‘rā’ means ignorance; ‘tra’ means ‘trāṇa’ and refers to protection. Hence ‘pañcarātra’ refers to protection of the individual soul from the group of five.

context information

Nirukta (निरुक्त) or “etymology” refers to the linguistic analysis of the Sanskrit language. This branch studies the interpretation of common and ancient words and explains them in their proper context. Nirukta is one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical 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) || Mahābhārata (Bombay) 12.348.82.

Derivable forms: pāñcarātram (पाञ्चरात्रम्).

--- OR ---

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. Mahābhārata (Bombay) 12.218. 11.

Derivable forms: pañcarātram (पञ्चरात्रम्).

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

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

Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र).—1. [masculine] five days (nights).

--- OR ---

Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र).—2. [adjective] lasting five days.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

1) Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—See Kapilapañcarātra, Nāradapañcarātra, Hayagrivapañcarātra, and Pāñcarātra. Quoted by Hemādri, in Sarvadarśanasaṃgraha Oxf. 247^a, by Devanātha L. 2010, in Dānamayūkha, Smṛtyarthasāgara, etc.

2) Pāñcarātra (पाञ्चरात्र):—Oppert. Ii, 1915. 4721. 5224. 8500. Rice. 96. See Pañcarātra. Pāñcarātre Agastyasaṃhitā. Mysore. 3.
—Aṅkurārpaṇavidhi. Taylor. 1, 135.
—Aniruddhasaṃhitā. Mysore. 3.
—Anekotsavapratipādakasaṃhitāsārasaṃgraha. Mysore. 3.
—Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā. Mysore. 3.
—Kārtavīryamāhātmya. Oppert. Ii, 6631.
—Jitaṃtestotra. Burnell. 201^a. Bhr. 551.
—Jñānapādavyākhyāna. Mysore. 3.
—Nāradīyasaṃhitā. Mysore. 3.
—Pādmasaṃhitā. Mysore. 3.
—Pārameśvarasaṃhitā. Mysore. 3.
—Pauṣkarasaṃhitā. Mysore. 3.
—Prayogamaṇimālikā. Mysore. 3. Taylor. 1. 425.
—Prāyaścittasaṃgraha. Mysore. 3.
—Bharadvājasaṃhitā. Mysore. 3.
—Maṇḍalārcana. Oppert. Ii, 4106.
—Mahāgastyasaṃhitā. Oppert. Ii, 4107.
—Mahotpātaprāyaścitta. Oppert. Ii, 4108.
—Mahotsavavidhi. Oppert. Ii, 4109.
—Mārkaṇḍeyasaṃhitā. Mysore. 3.
—Veṅkaṭeśamāhātmya. Rice. 90.
—Vaikhānasabhṛgusaṃhitā. Mysore. 3.
—Śeṣasaṃhitā. Mysore. 3.
—Samprokṣaṇādividhayaḥ. Mysore. 3.
—Sātvatasaṃhitā. Mysore. 2.

Pāñcarātra has the following synonyms: Pāñcarātrāgama.

3) Pāñcarātra (पाञ्चरात्र):—on architecture. Quoted by Rāmrāj.
—[commentary] by Peḍḍanācārya. [Mackenzie Collection] 132.

4) Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र):—See Aurvaº, Kāśyapaº, Kratuº Mahāpañcarātra.

5) Pāñcarātra (पाञ्चरात्र):—Quoted by Utpala in Spandapradīpikā. Pāñcarātre Kārttikamāhātmya. Hz. 1535.
—Dhanurmāsamāhātmya. Ak 143.

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

1) Pañcarātra (पञ्चरात्र):—[=pañca-rātra] [from pañca] m. a period of 5 days (nights), [Kauśika-sūtra; Manu-smṛti] etc.

2) [v.s. ...] mfn. (tra) lasting 5 days, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Mahābhārata] (also traka, [Pañcatantra])

3) [v.s. ...] m. Name of an Ahīna (See 1. ah) which lasts 5 days, [Tāṇḍya-brāhmaṇa; ???]

4) [v.s. ...] Name of the sacred books of various Vaiṣṇava sects (also [plural]), [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa etc.]

5) Pāñcarātra (पाञ्चरात्र):—[=pāñca-rātra] [from pāñca] m. [plural] Name of a Vaiṣṇava sect following the doctrine of their sacred book called Pañcarātra, [Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha; Colebrooke; Catalogue(s)]

6) [v.s. ...] n. the doctrine of the Pāñcarātras, [ib.] (also trya and traka)

7) [v.s. ...] Name of sub voce works.

[Sanskrit to German]

Pancaratra 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.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Pāṃcarātra (ಪಾಂಚರಾತ್ರ):—[noun] a Vaiṣṇava religious system that combines five different doctrines, holding Vāsudēva-Kṛṣṇa as the supreme and other main forms Saṃkarṣana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha are emanated of Vāsudēva, and this system in the beginning was different from the vedic forms of worship.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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