Visishta: 1 definition
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Visishta means something in the history of ancient India. 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.
India history and geography
Source: Project Gutenberg: Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 1Visishta refers to one of the five sub-divisions of the Nambutiris (the socio-spiritual aristocracy of Malabar) according to Subramani Aiyar. Tampurakkal.—The Visishta are of two classes, Agnihotris and Bhattatiris.
The former are the ritualists, and are of three kinds:—
- Akkittiris, who have performed the agnichayanayaga,
- Adittiris, who have done the ceremony of agniadhana,
- Chomatiris, who have performed the soma sacrifice.
The Bhattatiris are the philosophers, and are, in a spirit of judicious economy, which is the characteristic feature of all early caste proscriptions, actually prohibited from trenching on the province of the Agnihotris. They study tarkka (logic), vedanta (religious philosophy or theology), vyakarana (grammar), mimamsa (ritualism), bhatta, from which they receive their name, and prabhakara, which are the six sciences of the early Nambutiris. They were the great religious teachers of Malabar, and always had a large number of disciples about them. Under this head come the Vadyars or heads of Vedic schools, of which there are two, one at Trichur in Cochin, and the other at Tirunavai in British Malabar; the six Vaidikas or expounders of the caste canons, and the Smartas, who preside at the smartavicharams or socio-moral tribunals of Brahmanical Malabar.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
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Search found 1 books and stories containing Visishta; (plurals include: Visishtas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Philosophy of Riti < [April 1969]
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