Paratattva, Para-tattva: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Paratattva 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.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Paratattva (परतत्त्व) refers to the “great principle”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.23. Accordingly as Śiva said to Satī:—“[...] O Goddess Satī, listen, I shall explain the great principle whereby the remorseful creature becomes a liberated soul (mukta). O great Goddess, know that the perfect knowledge (vijñāna) is the great principle (paratattva)—the consciousness that ‘I am Brahman’ in the perfect intellect where nothing else is remembered”.
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.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Paratattva (परतत्त्व) refers to “science of understanding the highest truth”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).
Paratattva (परतत्त्व) refers to—Supreme, transcendental Reality.
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’).
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Paratattva (परतत्त्व) refers to the “supreme principle”, according to the Mahānayaprakāśa by Arṇasiṃha.—Accordingly, “[...] (Again, She is called Maṅgalā because she is) the intense inebriation brought about by the flux of the juice of the aesthetic delight penetrated by the Supreme (experienced) by moving in the Supreme Space, which is free of the differentiated manifestation of (the phases of) emanation and the rest. She is ever the Inexplicable (anākhyā state) of the Supreme Principle [i.e., paratattva] whose body is the Wheel (of consciousness). Thus she is called Maṅgalā (Auspicious) here (in the world), and her nature is free of obscuration”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Paratattva (परतत्त्व) refers to the “highest tattva”, according to the Netratantroddyota commentary on the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 8.4.7, while describing the purification process of the initiand]—“[...] ‘After he has let go of all mental activity, the [mantrin] should fuse [the disciple] with awareness. Then the bound soul attains Śivahood, rescued from the ocean of repeated incarnation (bhavārṇava)’. As said in the Svacchanda-tantra, he should make [that disciple] one with Paramaśiva by causing him to enter into the highest Tattva (paratattva-samāveśana—paratattvasamāveśanayā)]”.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Paratattva (परतत्त्व) refers to the “highest reality”, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise composed in 198 Sanskrit verses dealing with topics as absorption (laya), yogic powers (siddhi) and liberation, presented in the form of a dialogue between Īśvara and Vāmadeva.—The Amanaska is a dialogue between the god Īśvara and the sage Vāmadeva, who asks how liberation in this life is attained. Īśvara's answer is the practice of amanaska (the no-mind state), which was generally understood in medieval yoga texts to be synonymous with Samādhi, that is to say, the state of Rājayoga. The attainment of amanaska dissolves the mind and breath, which enables the Yogin to see the non-dual state referred to as the highest reality (paratattva).
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).
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Paratattva (परतत्त्व):—[=para-tattva] [from para] in
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
Paratattva (ಪರತತ್ತ್ವ):—
1) [noun] the most sacred knowledge; the knowledge of the self and the Supreme Being.
2) [noun] the Supreme Being.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Para, Tattva.
Starts with: Paratattvanirnaya, Paratattvanjana, Paratattvaprakashika, Paratattvastha, Paratattvavada, Paratattvavilasa.
Full-text (+46): Paratattvaprakashika, Paratattvanirnaya, Paratattvavada, Paratattvavilasa, Supreme Reality, Supreme transcendental reality, Paratatva, Omkara, Paratattvastha, Avacya, Avicchinna, Dehatita, Nirmala, Nirvikara, Nirapaya, Acala, Amala, Anakara, Niranjana, Nishprapanca.
Relevant text
Search found 21 books and stories containing Paratattva, Para-tattva; (plurals include: Paratattvas, tattvas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Shri Gaudiya Kanthahara (by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati)
Cidgaganacandrika (study) (by S. Mahalakshmi)
Verse 263-265 [Sādhakas surrender at Śakti’s feet] < [Chapter 4 - Fourth Vimarśa]
Introduction to the Cidgaganacandrikā
Verse 179 [Śakti as Śabdatattva in the form of Praṇava] < [Chapter 3 - Third Vimarśa]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
108 Tirupathi Anthathi (English translation) (by Sri Varadachari Sadagopan)
Verse 70: Tirukkodittaanam (Divya Desam)
Verse 47: Thirukoodal (Divya Desam)
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Bhajana-Rahasya (by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya)