In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Vibhavamūrtidhyānavidhi (विभवमूर्तिध्यानविधि) (lit. “concerning the contemplation of God’s aspects”) is the name of chapter 12 of the Sāttvatasaṃhitā: one of the most ancient of Pāñcarātra Āgamas consisting of roughly 3500 verses which stresses the theological standpoint of the oneness of God despite his various vyūhas (modes of existence), vibhavas (manifestations) and avatāras (incarnations).

Description of the chapter [vibhavamūrtidhyānavidhi]: Saṃkarṣaṇa asks how to contemplate God’s Person while reciting mantras. The bulk of the chapter is given over to descriptions of various forms that God assumes. Interspersed among these descriptions for purposes of dhyāna-meditation are some theological statements which bear testimony to God’s Unity in His Diversity. It is stated that He takes His many shapes out of His own desire [ābhimānikarūpa (5b)] to come within the grasp of His worshippers, doing so out of compassion [svayameva anukampayā (17a)] for His worshippers who have faith and devotion, etc. Indeed, God comes to man in five ways: in their believing hearts [hṛnmadhya], as a Being in the sky [gagana], as a concentrated Power in this mundane world [bhūmau], as the recipient Person in the midst of the (sacrificial) Fire [vahnimadhye], and as the pervasive Spirit in the Waters [jalāntara] (16b).

The following forms are mentioned and described: Ādiśeṣa (6-19), Madhusūdana (20-22), Kapila (23-25), Viśvarūpa (26-39), Haṃsa (40-46a, mentioning Agnīṣoma as part of this aspect), Varāha (46b-52a), Vājivaktra (= Hayagrīva, 52b-66), Arṇavaśāyī (=the Lord Recumbant on the ocean, 67-72), Narasiṃha (73-80), Śrīpati (81-91a, mentioning Agnīṣoma also as part of this aspect), Garuḍāsana of the hue of the blue lotus (9rb-97), Pārijātajit (98-102), Datta (103-113), Nyagrodha (Vaṭa) Patraśāyin (114-121a), Ekaśṛṅga (Matsya) to whose snout the arc was tied (121b-140), Nārāyaṇa (141-144), Kṛṣṇa (145-159), Aśvagantā (i.e. Kalkin) (160-167a) these being the “important” deities [pradhānadevatā] (167b). Those who know these deities thus, and who contemplate upon them so, will be relieved from the three sicknesses of birth, old age and death.

Then follows (169-176) a brief essay on the modes of operations of these forms during their active phases—underlining their essential identity with the vyūhas and with the Lord. Among the vibhava-manifestations is also the Mount of the Lord, Garuḍa. His worship is then elaborately described; he is stated to symbolise the five vital breaths (prāṇa) and he has accordingly, five forms.

Even the marks [lāñchana] of the Lord are worthy of honor in their own right because they have an independent identity and can bring salvation—so merciful and omnipresent is God in His saving work (177 ff.). Those are described as follows: Garuḍa (178-196, 197-202, 240-245). Then there are the twelve Śaktis of the Lords of these which have to be meditated upon: Śrī, Kīrti, Jayā, Māyā, Śuddhi, etc. (203-239).

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Vibhavamurtidhyana, Vidhi, Viti.

Full-text (+9): Kalkin, Datta, Krishna, Parijatajit, Vahnimadhya, Gagana, Shripati, Hrinmadhya, Ashvaganta, Jalantara, Anukampa, Garudasana, Ekashringa, Abhimanika, Arnavashayi, Lanchana, Vibhavamurtidhyana, Abhimanikarupa, Pradhanadevata, Kapila.

Relevant text

No search results for Vibhavamurtidhyanavidhi, Vibhavamūrtidhyānavidhi, Vibhavamūrtidhyāna-vidhi, Vibhavamurtidhyana-vidhi; (plurals include: Vibhavamurtidhyanavidhis, Vibhavamūrtidhyānavidhis, vidhis) in any book or story.