Pithapuja, Pitha-puja, Pīṭhapūjā: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Pithapuja 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)
Pīṭhapūjā (पीठपूजा) refers to the “worship of the pedestal”, as mentioned in the Śivapurāṇa 1.18. Accordingly, “[...] a Liṅga of pure crystal (śuddha-sphāṭika-liṅga) bestows all sorts of worldly enjoyment on women. The worship of the pedestal (pīṭhapūjā) grants all cherished desires of the worshipper in this world”.
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)
Pīṭhapūjā (पीठपूजा) refers to the “worship at the shrine of the goddess” with animal sacrife (only Hindu) and represents one of the various marriage rites of the Hindu Newars, mentioned in the Daśakarmavidhi: a marriage handbook from Bhaktapur containing both Hindu and Newar marriage ceremonies.—Despite many congruencies between Hindu Parbatiyā and Hindu Newar marriage handbooks, it becomes evident that Newar marriage handbooks mention specific ritual elements that cannot be found in the Brahmanical-Sanskritic texts.—The Pīṭhapūjā rite is usually performed at the House of the Groom and is mentioned under the heading of “Post-wedding rituals”.
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.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Jalāśaya (जलाशय) refers to a type of “worship performed in the deep part of the water” during rituals related to the re-installation of damaged idols from the temple, according to Kerala ritual texts such as the Śaivāgamanibandhana, Prayogamañjarī and the Īśanagurudevapaddhati.—[...] Then they remove the cloth and wash the idol again. The priest takes the remaining vāsanāśakti from the idol to the Sun, covers the idol with cloth and carries it on a ladder to a body of water, a pond, river etc. Standing beside the water the priest purifies himself with the mantras of Nirmālyadevatā and performs the pīṭhapūjā in the deep part of the water; he then invokes the Nirmālyadevatā into the idol, worships it and drops it into the water. If the idol is made of wood it is taken out of the temple and offered in the fire. Then the Brahmins, and everyone assembled there, take a bath and return to the temple. [...]
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Puja, Pita, Pitha.
Full-text: Jalasaya.
Relevant text
Search found 10 books and stories containing Pithapuja, Pitha-puja, Pīṭha-pūjā, Pīṭhapūjā; (plurals include: Pithapujas, pujas, pūjās, Pīṭhapūjās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati (study) (by J. P. Prajith)
8. Initial ceremonial steps for Shiva Puja (worship) < [Chapter 4 - Worship of Gods and Goddesses]
2. Worship of Shiva in Isanasivagurudeva-paddhati (Introduction) < [Chapter 4 - Worship of Gods and Goddesses]
29. Description of Subrahmanya (rites and rituals) < [Chapter 4 - Worship of Gods and Goddesses]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Shat-cakra-nirupana (the six bodily centres) (by Arthur Avalon)
Verse 37 < [Section 6]
Varahi Tantra (English Study) (by Roberta Pamio)
Chapter 13 - Mantras and Yantras (mystical diagrams) < [Summary of the Vārāhī Tantra]
Prayogamanjari and Saivagamanibandhana (Study) (by R. Suthashi)
Tantrasamuccaya (summary) < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]