In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: Wisdom Library: Pāñcarātra

Varṇotpattinirūpaṇa (वर्णोत्पत्तिनिरूपण) [=varṇotpattinirūpaṇam] is the name of the sixteenth chapter of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā: an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama scripture dealing with the symbology of the Sudarśana weapon while also dealing with iconography, philosophy and Vaiṣṇava rituals.

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Varṇotpattinirūpaṇa (वर्णोत्पत्तिनिरूपण) (lit. “regarding origin of letters”) is the name of the sixteenth chapter of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, a Pāñcarātra work in 60 chapters dealing with topics such as Viṣṇu’s discus-power, the processes of creation and esoteric practices related to Sudarśana (such as mantras and yantras).

Description of the chapter [varṇotpattinirūpaṇa]: Nārada asks how all things in creation, being as they are, can be protected, and he is answered that the Lord Himself wills to protect all things by means of His energies as Sudarśana in whom are invested the necessary weapons of protection (astra/śastra). Not only are there the ordinary weapons analogous to God’s own which serve to protect man, but there is the mystical weapon in the form of “mantra” that can protect man and the world (1-9). Only the competent, however, may receive the mystical mantra—and this means only the best among Brahmins—while at the same time only the king can wield appropriately the ordinary weapons. When an extraordinary Brahmin with his astra-mystical weapons and an extraordinary ruler with his complement of regular śastra-weapons combine forces, the kingdom prospers (1-36 ).

As for the mantra-weapon of protection, there is a long and highly involved and technical exposition of how sounds have their potencies, and syllables are combinations of these, etc. Each letter of the alphabet is analysed as to its physiological locus, its cosmic origin, etc. (37-104).

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.

Mantrashastra (the science of Mantras)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (mantra)

Varṇotpattinirūpaṇa (वर्णोत्पत्तिनिरूपण) (lit. “a discussion of the origin of all letters”) is the name of chapter 19 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 [varṇotpattinirūpaṇa]: Lakṣmī in this chapter proceeds to tell how she is the source and creator of all the vowels and letters of the alphabet. [There is a somewhat forced attempt to identify the letters “ka-” to “ma-” of the alphabet with the tattvas, certain other letters with 4 of the 8 steps of yoga, etc.] (1-46).

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Varnotpatti, Nirupana.

Full-text: Varnotpatti.

Relevant text

No search results for Varnotpattinirupana, Varṇotpattinirūpaṇa, Varṇotpatti-nirūpaṇa, Varnotpatti-nirupana; (plurals include: Varnotpattinirupanas, Varṇotpattinirūpaṇas, nirūpaṇas, nirupanas) in any book or story.