Shadaksharamantra, Ṣaḍakṣaramantra, Shadakshara-mantra: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Shadaksharamantra 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.

The Sanskrit term Ṣaḍakṣaramantra can be transliterated into English as Sadaksaramantra or Shadaksharamantra, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

[«previous next»] — Shadaksharamantra in Pancaratra glossary
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Ṣaḍakṣaramantra (षडक्षरमन्त्र) is the name of a Mantra chanted during preliminary worship of Rāma, as discussed in the twenty-fifth chapter of the Agastyasaṃhitā (agastya-suīkṣṇa-saṃvāda edition), an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama text dealing with the worship of Rāma, Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa and Hanumān.—[Cf. the chapter śrī-rāmanavamī-praśaṃsā]:—[...] Sutīkṣṇa then says that, having heard about the way the ṣaḍakṣaramantra may be used in the preliminary worship of Rāma, he would like to hear now if there are any other mantras that may be used in Rāma’s honour. Agastya says that there are those who, with tears of joy in their eyes and moved to dance and ecstasy, and who without even dīkṣā or following other prescribed routines of worship, merely repeat “Rāma, Rāma!” and are saved! Indeed, while any mantra praising Viṣṇu may save them, the most efficient one of them all is also the original of them all—the ṣaḍakṣaramantra.

2) Ṣaḍakṣaramantra (षडक्षरमन्त्र) refers to a class of Mantras, according to the twenty-third chapter of the Īśvarasaṃhitā (printed edition), a Pāñcarātra work in 8200 verses and 24 chapters dealing with topics such as routines of temple worship, major and minor festivals, temple-building and initiation.—Description of the chapter [mantroddhāra-vidhi]: The sages ask Nārada to answer six questions. In this chapter his answers to the first two questions are recorded. [...] Second: what is the nature of mantras used in establishing an image? He replies that among mantras of Viṣṇu which are “vyāpaka”, there are three—namely, the aṣṭākṣara, dvādaśākṣara and ṣaḍakṣaramantras. All images may be worshipped with these mantras; some particular images, however, must have, in addition, their own appropriate, special mantras. But of all the mantras, the aṣṭākṣaramantra is best (51-61).

Pancaratra book cover
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.

Discover the meaning of shadaksharamantra or sadaksaramantra in the context of Pancaratra from relevant books on Exotic India

Mantrashastra (the science of Mantras)

[«previous next»] — Shadaksharamantra in Mantrashastra glossary
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (mantra)

Ṣaḍakṣaramantra (षडक्षरमन्त्र) or Sudarśanaṣaḍakṣaramantra is the name of a Mantra, as discussed in chapter 31 of the Lakṣmītantra: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 3600 Sanskrit verses exclusively devoted to Goddess Lakṣmī or Śrī (the consort of Viṣṇu) besides dealing with cosmology and practical regarding Vaishnava priests and temple-building programs.—Description of the chapter [sudarśana-prakāśa]: [...] The sudarśana-ṣaḍakṣaramantra is then described in terms of what is to be meditated upon during mantra-repetitions—thus yielding a description of (the iconography of?) Sudarśana (45-63). At the end, Lakṣmī identifies herself also with Sudarśana (64-82), this being one of her most extraordinary forms.

context information

Mantrashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, mantraśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mantras—chants, incantations, spells, magical hymns, etc. Mantra Sastra literature includes many ancient books dealing with the methods reciting mantras, identifying and purifying its defects and the science behind uttering or chanting syllables.

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