Pratimalakshana, Pratima-lakshana, Pratimālakṣaṇa: 9 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
In Jainism
1. General definition
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Kannada
See also

Introduction:

Pratimalakshana means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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.

The Sanskrit term Pratimālakṣaṇa can be transliterated into English as Pratimalaksana or Pratimalakshana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Pratimālakṣaṇa (प्रतिमालक्षण).—Rules relating to the carving of different sizes of images and of gods to be worshipped in houses: relative proportions of a Navatāla image;¹ Specialities of feminine forms;² Images of other sizes including Rāma, Varāha, Narasimha, of Śiva with ten arms, four or eight arms: defective forms to be condemned;³ Specialities of Ardhanārīśvara or Umāmaheśvara;⁴ of Śivanārāyaṇa;⁵ of Brahmā and Kārttikeya;⁶ of Kātyāyanī;⁷ of Indra;⁸ images of Mother goddesses.⁹ Pedestals of different images—A pedestal is divided into 16 parts; ten kinds of pedestals described: made of stone, earth, wood or a mixture according as the devata is made of;¹⁰ The symbol of Śiva in the shape of a phallus, the size depending on the size of the temple: made of ruby, diamond, earth, wood, gold and stone according to one's choice and means.¹¹

1) Matsya-purāṇa 258. 4-25, 26-57.
2) Ib. 25.8; 58-74.
3) Ib. ch. 25.9.
4) Ib. 260. 1-20.
5) Ib. 260. 21-27.
6) Ib. 260. 40-55.
7) Ib. 260. 56-65.
8) Ib. 260. 66-69.
9) Ib. 261. 24-49.
10) Ib. ch. 262.
11) Ib. ch. 263.

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.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

Pratimālakṣaṇa (प्रतिमालक्षण) refers to the “body postures of the icons”, as defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—The body postures mean the āṅgikābhinaya and is classified into three divisions: (1) kai-amaiti or hastas (hand gestures), (2) āsanas (the basic stances) and (3) bhaṅgas (the inflexions of the body). The kai-amaiti or hand gestures are divided into tolirkai and elirkai. The asānas are classified into sthānakas (the standing poses), āsanas (the sitting poses), and śayanas (the reclining poses). The bhaṅgas are the flexiono in the body.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Pratimālakṣaṇa (प्रतिमालक्षण) refers to the “casting of images”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 2), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “A true Astrologer is also one who has thoroughly mastered the Science of Saṃhitā. [...] It treats of indradhvaja, of the rainbow and of architecture; of the prediction of events from casual words and gestures and from the cawing of crows; of the formation of zodiacal circles for purposes of horary astrology. It treats of the prediction of future events from phenomena connected with the deer, the dog and the motions of the wind; of the construction of temples, towers and palaces; of the casting of images [i.e., pratimālakṣaṇa] and of founding the same; of the growth of plants and trees; of under currents; of certain annual ceremonies to be performed by princes for success in war. [...]”.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Addaiyan Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Tantra Literature of Kerala- Special Reference to Mātṛsadbhāva

Pratimālakṣaṇa (प्रतिमालक्षण) refers to one of the topics dealt with in the Mātṛsadbhāva, one of the earliest Śākta Tantras from Kerala.—Mātṛsadbhāva is a Kerala Tantric ritual manual dealing with the worship of Goddess Bhadrakālī (also known as Rurujit) along with sapta-mātṛs or Seven mothers. The text is believed to be the first Śākta worship text from Kerala. The text is a summary of Southern Brahmayāmala texts and it systematizes and organizes the Yāmala cult of mothers in twenty-eight chapters. The text includes the topics such as [e.g., pratimālakṣaṇa, ...] The Mātṛsadbhāva was written based on the South Indian version of Brahmayālatantra. [...]

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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Aspects of Jaina Art and Architecture

Pratimālakṣaṇa (प्रतिमालक्षण) (Sanskrit; in Prakrit: Padimā-lakkhana) refers to “iconographic formulas”.—Images of Tīrthaṃkaras were made of stones, metals, wood, clay, precious gems, jewels or semi-precious stones. Vasunandi, in his Śrāvakācara (c 1 2th century A.D ), says that images of Jinas and others {Siddhas, Ācāryas, and others) should be made according to iconographic formulas (padimā-lakkhana-vihi), the materials used being gems, gold, jewels, silver, brass, pearls, stones etc. Vasubindu, in his Pratisthā-pāṭha, adds crystals, and says that the wise praise images accompanied by a big lotus-seat, the lotus being shown as rising high.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

Pratimālakṣaṇa (प्रतिमालक्षण) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—by Vyāsa. B. 3, 106.
—from Agnipurāṇa. Burnell. 187^b.

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

Pratimālakṣaṇa (प्रतिमालक्षण):—[=prati-mā-lakṣaṇa] n. Name of [work]

[Sanskrit to German]

Pratimalakshana 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

Pratimālakṣaṇa (ಪ್ರತಿಮಾಲಕ್ಷಣ):—

1) [noun] characteristics of or prescribed for making, an idol (esp. of each deity).

2) [noun] a Hindu scripture dealing with the art and science of sculpture.

context information

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

Relevant text

Search found 6 books and stories containing Pratimalakshana, Pratimā-lakṣaṇa, Pratima-laksana, Pratima-lakshana, Pratimālakṣaṇa, Pratimalaksana; (plurals include: Pratimalakshanas, lakṣaṇas, laksanas, lakshanas, Pratimālakṣaṇas, Pratimalaksanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Introduction to the Samarāṅgaṇa-Sūtradhāra

Chapter 73 - Iconography (Pratimā-lakṣaṇa)

Chapter 71 - Iconography of the Phalli (liṅga) and their Pedestals (pīṭha)

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8(a): Image Making: The Concept < [Chapter 5 - Painting and Image Making]

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Iconographical descriptions of Hayagrīva in different Purāṇas < [Chapter 4]

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