Shraddhavidhana, Śrāddhavidhāna, Shraddha-vidhana: 1 definition
Introduction:
Shraddhavidhana 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 Śrāddhavidhāna can be transliterated into English as Sraddhavidhana or Shraddhavidhana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) Śrāddhavidhāna (श्राद्धविधान) (lit. “concerning the annual memorial rites”) is the name of the twenty-third chapter of the Jayākhyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra Āgama text composed of 4500 verses in 33 chapters dealing with topics such as mantra (formulas), japa (repetitions), dhyāna (meditations), mudrā (gesticulations), nyāsa (concentrations) etc.
Description of the chapter [śrāddhavidhāna]:—Nārada asks what the details are for the performance of śrādddha-rites. The Lord says that all, even the initiated, are to do these rites with care and attention throughout their lives—it is a duty incumbent upon all (1-6). He then turns to the occasions when it is most proper to perform the śrādddha-rites (7-14a) before he commences to outline the various steps to be followed in this ritual performance—inviting the Brahmins to be fed and seating them appropriately with all honors (14b-35a), performing homas and making food-offerings to the “manes” in the persons of the Brahmins present (35b-59a) distributing the food to others present and other concluding acts (59-62a). When a man dies the rites will be modified and given elaborations by adding certain mantras and routines day-by-day for eleven days (62b-108); on the first anniversary of the man’s death, the śrāddha-rite will mark the deceased soul’s transition from preta to pitṛ, and the rules for this ritual celebration are outlined with the necessary elaborations (109-146a). Mantras are given for the concluding portions of the general śrāddha ceremonies (146-148). Special śrāddhas for preceptors are to be done (149-153a). All the śrāddhas-ceremonies are eulogized (153b-155).
2) Śrāddhavidhāna (श्राद्धविधान) (lit. “rules regarding śrāddha-performance”) is the name of chapter 4 of the (fourth section of the) Bṛhadbrahmasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text containing over 4600 Sanskrit verses dealing primarily with Vaiṣṇava theology and practical matters concerning the Śrī-Vaiṣṇava community but also discussing aspects of Viśiṣṭādvaita philosophy.
Description of the chapter [śrāddhavidhāna]: The sages ask how a Vaiṣṇava is to do pitṛyāga, what the pitṛs are like, and what are the rewards for attending to them with devotion. Further, they ask, are worldly people also to do this? (1-2). He tells them that pitṛs are like Hari of the Four Forms. As for the rest, he tells them what Nārāyaṇa Himself once told Nārada—namely, that He Himself is the father, as well as the other ancestors male and female, honored in the rites (3-24); moreover, that the pitṛs are just like devas and hence should be so honored (25-26). “Ekāntins” are those who knowingly worship Nārāyaṇa as “Father” and the ancestors as “Nārāyaṇa” (27-50). Brahmā then points out that this is why one offers food first to the Lord and then immediately to the pitṛs (51-53).
Then, turning to the śrāddha-rites and to those done only on special occasions, he tells about those who are qualified to be invited to serve as the proxy-pitṛs at the pitṛyāga (54-66). He reminds the listening sages of the necessity to maintain the pitṛyāgas without lapse throughout their lives (69-72).
As for the other times when śrāddha-rites may additionally be done, these are listed: e.g., at eclipses, at the time of taking newly harvested food [? navānnaprāśana], at holy rivers, at pilgrimage spots, at consecration rites, etc. (73-81).
The various steps to be followed in the elaborate special śrāddha-rites are then outlined (82-125). Further reasons and/or occasions for performing śrāddha-rites are given (126-132), and the observation is made that the rules for specific procedures may differ from one authority to another (133). The pitṛs are highly pleased by the way Vaiṣṇavas do śrāddha (134-143).
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Shraddha, Vidhana.
Full-text: Navanna, Prashana, Navannaprashana, Shraddha.
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Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)