Sarpabali: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Sarpabali means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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)
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaSarpabali (सर्पबलि).—An offering made by Hindus in South India to propitiate serpents. Serpents are pleased by songs by Pulluvan and Pulluvatti (Male and female members of a Hindu sub-caste). To draw Kalams (drawings on floor conveying certain esoteric meanings), to make offerings and for the Pulluvars to sing—these form important elements of Sarpabali. The bali has a connection with the story of Khāṇḍavadāha. The legend behind the bali is that a Pulluva woman saved Takṣaka, who escaped to the ocean after the Khāṇḍava forest was burnt down. Songs by Pulluvan and Pulluvatti are unavoidable items in Sarpabali.
Drawing the Kalam is a very important item in Sarpabali. It is drawn on a platform made of puṭṭumaṇṇu (small heaps of earth thrown up by earthworms and termites), the platform being demarcated by four pieces of arecanut wood. The platform is covered with silk and tender coconut leaves are hung all around it. The Kalam is drawn with rice powder, and other coloured powders. The husk of paddy burnt into charcoal is powdered and with it serpents are sketched first on the maṇḍapa (platform). The nāga drawings are tinted with colours. The (colour) powders are collected in coconut shells and sprinkled on the drawings through holes in shells. Pulluvas exhibit wonderful artistic talents in making the drawings. (See full article at Story of Sarpabali from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)
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)
Source: Sacred Texts: The Grihya Sutras, Part 2 (SBE30)Sarpabali (सर्पबलि) refers to one of the seven Pākasaṃsthās or Pākayajñas (groups of seven sacrifices).—Hārīta says: “Let a man offer the Pākayajñas always, always also the Haviryajñas, and the Somayajñas (Soma sacrifices), according to rule, if he wishes for eternal merit”.—The object of these sacrifices [viz., Sarpabali] is eternal happiness, and hence they have to be performed during life at certain seasons, without any special occasion (nimitta), and without any special object (kāma). According to most authorities, however, they have to be performed during thirty years only. After that the Agnihotra only has to be kept up.
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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossarySarpa-bali.—(IA 19), an offering in snake-worship. Note: sarpa-bali is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum1) Sarpabali (सर्पबलि) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—B. 1, 240. Taylor. 1, 276.
2) Sarpabali (सर्पबलि):—prayoga. ibid.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Sarpabali (सर्पबलि):—[=sarpa-bali] [from sarpa] m. an offering to Serpents, [Pāraskara-gṛhya-sūtra]
2) [v.s. ...] Name of [work]
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Sarpabalikarman, Sarpabalividhi.
Full-text: Sarpabalividhi, Sarpabalikarman, Shravanakarmasarpabaliprayoga, Shravanakarmadi, Pakayajna.
Relevant text
Search found 7 books and stories containing Sarpabali, Sarpa-bali; (plurals include: Sarpabalis, balis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Apastamba Grihya-sutra (by Hermann Oldenberg)
Gobhila-grihya-sutra (by Hermann Oldenberg)
Hiranyakesi-grihya-sutra (by Hermann Oldenberg)
Apastamba Yajna-paribhasa-sutras (by Hermann Oldenberg)
The Markandeya Purana (by Frederick Eden Pargiter)