Vratacarya, Vrata-carya, Vratacaryā: 8 definitions
Introduction:
Vratacarya 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Vratacharya.
In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Vratacaryā (व्रतचर्या) refers to “(the ascetic’s) vow and conduct”, according to the Kulapañcāśikā, an unpublished text attributed to Matsyendranātha teaching secrecy.—Accordingly, “O goddess, one who has matted hair, (or a) shaved head, is covered in ashes and, adorned with the five insignias, observes (the ascetic’s) vow and conduct [i.e., vratacaryā-samopeta], one who practices ritual intercourse and is dedicated to drinking as Kaulas do (vīrapāna) within my body is, O Maheśvarī, one who knows (the teachings of the) Kula and is fit by virtue of each one of these (practices) for union (with the Yoginīs). Endowed with right knowledge, O goddess, he unites (with the Yoginīs) in (each) sacred seat, field and village, if he is dedicated to the wisdom of (his) teacher”.
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Vratacaryā (व्रतचर्या) or Vratacaraṇa refers to the “performance of timed religious observances”.—Cf. Caryā which, in early Śaiva works, may refer specifically to ascetic observance, presumably indeed because it is a contraction of the collocation vratacaryā/vratacaraṇa, “the performance (caryā/caraṇa) of timed religious observances (vrata)”. The verb car, “to move,” but also “to be engaged in”, has indeed long been the natural idiomatic verb of choice for use with vrata, and this accounts for the frequency of such bahuvrīhi expressions as cīrṇavrata (“who has observed his observances”), both in non-Mantramārga works (e.g. Bodhāyanagṛhyasūtra 4.12.2 on p. 118, Yājñavalkyasmṛti 3.298c, Mahābhārata 3.81.135c) and in works of the Mantramārga (e.g. Mālinīvijayottara 10.17c and 10.34c, Mohacūḍottara 1.14a, etc), as well as for the distinctively Tantric bahuvrīhi expression cīrṇavidyāvrata (e.g. Siddhayogeśvarīmata 13.1a).
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Vratacarya (व्रतचर्य).—a religious student; see ब्रह्मचारिन् (brahmacārin).
Derivable forms: vratacaryaḥ (व्रतचर्यः).
Vratacarya is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms vrata and carya (चर्य).
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Vratacaryā (व्रतचर्या).—observance or practice of a religious vow.
Vratacaryā is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms vrata and caryā (चर्या).
Vratacarya (व्रतचर्य).—I. f. observance of religious vows,
Vratacarya is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms vrata and carya (चर्य).
Vratacaryā (व्रतचर्या).—[feminine] the practice of religious vows, [especially] [rarely] studentship; devotion, piety i.[grammar]
1) Vratacaryā (व्रतचर्या):—[=vrata-caryā] [from vrata] f. the practice of any religious observance or vow, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.
2) Vratacarya (व्रतचर्य):—[=vrata-carya] [from vrata-caryā > vrata] m. a rel° student, [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]
3) Vratacārya (व्रतचार्य):—[=vrata-cārya] [from vrata] n. performance of vows, [Jaiminīya-upaniṣad]
Vratacaryā (व्रतचर्या):—f. Ausführung eines religiösen Werkes, einer Observanz u.s.w., Askese [The Śatapathabrāhmaṇa.2,1,4,2.5,5,3,2. 6. 14,1,1,33.2,26.] [Manu’s Gesetzbuch.1,111.] [Mahābhārata.5,7300.] [Rāmāyaṇa.1,9,40.] [Rāmāyaṇa] [Gorresio.1,23,5.] [Kathāsaritsāgara 49,238.] [Bhāgavatapurāṇa.3,9,13. 23,5.8,17,17. 10,60,52.] am Ende eines adj. comp. (f. ā): samāna [Mahābhārata 3, 8579.]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Nepali dictionary
Vratacaryā (व्रतचर्या):—n. observance or practice of a religious vow;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Carya, Vrata.
Full-text (+66): Viravratacarya, Carya, Vrathcharya, Caryavrata, Vratadharana, Nirvighna, Vratacarana, Anurupaka, Svasakhi, Pravaravrata, Mantravrata, Asahaya, Shakala, Shakhi, Desika, Homa, Loshta, Vighna, Sahishnu, Satvika.
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Search found 7 books and stories containing Vratacarya, Vrata-carya, Vrata-caryā, Vrata-cārya, Vratacaryā, Vratacārya; (plurals include: Vratacaryas, caryas, caryās, cāryas, Vratacaryās, Vratacāryas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Varadambika-parinaya Campu (Study) (by Bhagavant. L. Nadoni)
References and Notes for chapter 4 < [Chapter 4 - Descriptions in the Varadambika-parinaya Campu]
Mimamsa in Medhatithi (study) (by A. R. Joshi)
Punarvacana in Manubhasya 2.174 < [Part 3.18 - Pratipatti Karma]
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 2.27 < [Section VIII - Duties and Sacraments]
On the use of Human remains in Tibetan ritual objects (by Ayesha Fuentes)
Introduction: The use of skulls and bone ornaments < [Chapter 2 - The use of skulls and bone ornaments]
Svalpa Matsya-purana (part 3) < [Purana, Volume 9, Part 2 (1967)]
Tattva, vrata, caryā < [Volume 15, Issue 3 (2024)]