Sharkarasnana, Sharkara-snana, Śarkarāsnāna: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Sharkarasnana 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 Śarkarāsnāna can be transliterated into English as Sarkarasnana or Sharkarasnana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Ganapatya (worship of Ganesha)
Śarkarāsnāna (शर्करास्नान) or “bath with sugar” refers to a type of ceremonial bath (snāna), representing one of the sixteen Ṣoḍaśopacāra, which are preliminary rites (upacāra) of a pūjā (deity worship).—Of the various types of pūjās, the one with sixteen (ṣoḍaśa) items or offerings (upacāra) is very common. This type of ritual consists of preliminary acts [viz śarkarāsnāna] including rites for the purification of the devotee and the implements used in the pūjā, removal of obstacles and declaration (saṃkalpa) to perform the worship.
Ganapatya (गाणपत्य, gāṇapatya) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Ganesha is revered and worshipped as the prime deity (ishta-devata). Being a minor though influential movement, Ganapatya evovled, llike Shaktism and Shaivism, as a separate movement leaving behind a large body of literature.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Sarkarasnāna (सर्करस्नान) refers to a “ceremonial bath with yoghurt” representing one of the five types of snāna or snānīya, which is one of the various services (upacāra) of a pūjā (ritualistic worship of a deity) which aim at the purification of the devotee.—The Vedic mantra recited while giving a bath with sugar forms part of a hymn to soma (Ṛgveda 9.85.6) which describes the sweet (svadu) flavour of soma. The word svadu also suggests sugar, and that is probably why this verse came to be used in this context. Sugar does not occur among the substances used in the madhūparkā but belongs to the group of “five sweet substances” (pañcamadhura). Apart from its medical qualities sugar is used as a scraping agent to remove dirt and the effects of oiliness.
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