Caturviṃśati-Mūrti forms of Viṣṇu

Glossary definitions and references:

Oriental and Historical glossary list for “Caturviṃśati-Mūrti forms of Viṣṇu”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.

1) Temple:
The temple, referred to frequently in the text, is often associated with structures devoted to religious practices, such as worship of Viṣṇu in Śrīraṅgam and other significant sites in Tamilnadu.

2) Rajarajan (Rajan-rajan):
R.K.K. Rajarajan, an author and researcher, has contributed extensively to the study of Indian art, particularly focusing on historical sites, temple iconography, and religious traditions.

3) Murti (Murtti):
A 'Mūrti' in the context of the text refers to a deity’s image or statue used for worship, such as the Viṣṇu-Mūrtis including Daśāvatāra, Dvādaśa, and Caturviṃśati forms in Śrīraṅgam temple.

4) Tamil:
The Tamil language and culture are central to the study of regional literature, religious texts, and the architectural heritage of South Indian temples, such as those at Śrīraṅgam and Tanjore.

5) Vishnu (Visnu):
Viṣṇu is one of the principal deities in Hinduism, whose various forms (Mūrtis) like Nṛsiṃha, Vāmana, and Kṛṣṇa are central to the worship and iconography discussed in the source text.

6) Delhi:
Delhi is mentioned in reference to modern India and significant academic contributions, such as the publication of works on Hindu iconography and South Indian temples.

7) Krishna (Krsna):
Kṛṣṇa, an avatāra of Viṣṇu, is a deity represented in multiple forms, including as Kaṇṇaṉ in Tamil tradition, which are significant in Hindu religious practices and iconography.

8) Image:
Images in the text refer to the visual representation of deities, such as Viṣṇu-Mūrtis in various forms, used in temples and discussed in the context of Hindu iconography.

9) Gopura (Go-pura):
Gopura, or 'Gopuram,' is a monumental entrance tower at the gateway of a temple, especially prominent in South Indian temple architecture like those in Śrīraṅgam.

10) Kannan:
Kaṇṇaṉ is the Tamil name for Kṛṣṇa, an incarnation of Viṣṇu, depicted in Tamil literature and represented in temple iconography.

11) New Delhi:
New Delhi is a significant location mentioned for contemporary academic work, such as the study of South Indian temples and the publication of scholarly articles.

12) Prakara:
Prākāra refers to the outer walls or enclosures surrounding the main sanctum of a temple, exemplified in the sapta-prākāras of the Śrīraṅgam temple complex.

13) Iconography:
Iconography is the study of visual representations and symbols of deities like Viṣṇu, including their various Mūrtis, documented extensively in the text.

14) Nrisimha (Nrsimha, Nri-simha):
Nṛsiṃha is a half-man, half-lion avatāra of Viṣṇu, prominent in Hindu mythology and represented in temple iconography across South India.

15) Nayaka:
Nāyaka refers to the dynasties that patronized temple construction and sculpture in South India, such as the Vijayanagara-Nāyaka period mentioned in relation to temple art.

16) Indian:
Indian, in the context of the text, pertains to contributions in art, architecture, and scholarship on Hindu temple traditions and iconography.

17) Alvar (Arvar, Alwar):
Āḻvārs are Tamil poet-saints devoted to Viṣṇu, whose hymns contribute significantly to Tamil bhakti literature and the worship traditions seen in temples like Śrīraṅgam.

18) Chennai:
Chennai is identified as a significant location for the study and publication of works on South Indian temples, literature, and religious traditions.

19) Weapon:
Weapons refer to divine implements like the cakra (discus) and gadā (mace), symbolic attributes of deities such as Viṣṇu in their iconographic representations.

20) Tancavur:
Tañcāvūr (Tanjore) is a historical and cultural center in Tamil Nadu renowned for its temples and contributions to Tamil literature and South Indian art.

21) Arankam:
Araṅkam is synonymous with Śrīraṅgam and represents the stage or platform, signifying the temple as a central site for various Viṣṇu Mūrti forms.

22) Candra (Camdra):
[see source text or glossary: Candra]

23) Padma:
Padma signifies the lotus, an important symbol in Hindu iconography representing purity, often depicted in the hands of Viṣṇu and other deities.

24) Madra:
[see source text or glossary: Madra]

25) India:
India is the country where the discussed temples, deities, and religious traditions originate, contributing to the rich historical and cultural context.

26) Malai (Malai°):
'Mālai' refers to 'Tirumālai,' a work by Toṇṭaraṭippoṭi Āḻvār, reflecting Tamil bhakti traditions and devotional literature.

27) Vijayanagara (Vijaya-nagara):
Vijayanagara is a significant historical period noted for its contributions to South Indian temple architecture and art, including the Dvādaśa and Daśāvatāra sculptures.

28) Sharada (Sarada, Sara-da):
Sharada Publishing House is mentioned as a publisher contributing to the study and dissemination of works on Hindu iconography and South Indian temples.

29) Bhakti:
Bhakti refers to the devotional worship practices integral to Tamil and South Indian traditions, exemplified by Āḻvār hymns and temple worship.

30) Vimana:
Vimāna refers to the towering sanctum or shrine of a temple, housing the principal deity, such as the Raṅga-vimāna in Śrīraṅgam.

31) Karin (Kari):
[see source text or glossary: Karin]

32) Hari (Harin):
Hari is another name for Viṣṇu, central to Hindu worship and iconography, often used in devotional literature and prayers.

33) Trivikrama (Tri-vikrama):
Trivikrama is an avatāra of Viṣṇu known for depicting the Vamana incarnation during which he measures the universe in three strides.

34) Literature:
Literature in the text encompasses ancient Tamil hymns, religious texts, and modern scholarly works that document and analyze Hindu traditions.

35) Vaishnava (Vaisnava):
Vaiṣṇava refers to the worship and religious traditions dedicated to Viṣṇu, including the community of Śrīvaiṣṇavas prominently featured in the text.

36) Sanskrit:
Sanskrit is an ancient language in which many Hindu religious texts, including those related to Viṣṇu’s iconography and theology, are written.

37) Vamana:
Vāmana is the dwarf avatāra of Viṣṇu who is prominently depicted in temple iconography and is an important figure in Hindu mythology.

38) Shrine:
A shrine is a dedicated sacred space within a temple complex where worship and rituals are performed, such as the Raṅganātha shrine in Śrīraṅgam.

39) Emblem:
Emblems refer to specific symbols or attributes like the cakra and padma, which help identify deities in iconography, especially in Viṣṇu’s Mūrtis.

40) Cakra:
Cakra, or discus, is one of the key emblems of Viṣṇu, symbolizing divine power and authority, frequently depicted in Hindu iconography.

41) Gada (Gadam):
Gadā, a mace, is a divine weapon often seen in the hands of deities like Viṣṇu, symbolizing strength and used in numerous iconographic representations.

42) Rama:
Rāma, an epic hero and avatāra of Viṣṇu, is a central figure in Hindu mythology and is venerated in temple images and literature.

43) Viru:
'Viru' refers to 'Tiruviruttam,' a composition by Nammāḻvār, part of Tamil bhakti literature focusing on devotion to Viṣṇu.

44) Ranganatha:
Raṅganātha is a form of Viṣṇu famously enshrined in the Śrīraṅgam temple, central to the site's religious worship and iconography.

45) Religion:
Religion in the text pertains to the practices, beliefs, and devotional traditions in Hinduism, particularly those associated with Viṣṇu worship.

46) Upendra (Upa-indra):
Upendra is one of the Mūrtis or manifestations of Viṣṇu, also identified with Vāmana, highlighting the complex iconography in Hindu tradition.

47) Lakshmi (Laksmi):
Lakshmi is Viṣṇu’s consort, symbolizing wealth and prosperity, and frequently depicted alongside Viṣṇu in temple art and iconography.

48) Matsya:
Matsya is the fish avatāra of Viṣṇu shown rescuing sacred texts from a deluge, an essential figure in Hindu mythology and temple iconography.

49) Acyuta:
Acyuta, meaning 'the unfallen,' is a name for Viṣṇu highlighting His infallibility and is often invoked in prayers and hymns.

50) Para (Para°, Párá):
[see source text or glossary: Para]

51) City:
City refers to locations with significant historical and religious sites discussed in the text, such as Śrīraṅgam and Tañcāvūr.

52) Tirumankai Aḻvar (Tirumankai-alvar, Tirumankai Alvar):
Tirumaṅkai Āḻvār is one of the twelve Āḻvārs whose hymns form part of Tamil bhakti literature, focusing on Viṣṇu devotion.

53) Tirumankaiyaḻvar (Tirumankaiyalvar):
Tirumaṅkai-āḻvār is another term for Tirumaṅkai Āḻvār, a celebrated Tamil saint-poet known for his fervent devotion to Viṣṇu.

54) Civilization:
Civilization refers to the historical and cultural developments related to religious sites, such as South Indian temple architecture and iconography.

55) Tiruvaymoli:
Tiruvāymoḻi is a composition by Nammāḻvār, forming a significant part of Tamil bhakti literature dedicated to Viṣṇu.

56) Janardana (Jana-ardana):
Janārdana is one of the names and Mūrtis of Viṣṇu, denoting the deity’s role as the protector and sustainer of the universe.

57) Sthanaka:
Sthānaka refers to the standing posture of deities in iconography, such as those of Viṣṇu Mūrtis depicted in temples, reflecting their divine attributes.

58) Vasudeva (Vasu-deva):
Vāsudeva denotes one form of Kṛṣṇa, a prominent figure in Hindu mythology, emphasizing Kṛṣṇa’s divine parentage and role within the Vṛṣṇi clan.

59) Hoysala:
Hoysala pertains to a dynasty noted for their temple architecture and contributions to the iconography of Hindu deities like Viṣṇu in South India.

60) Shastri (Sastri, Sastr):
Sastri refers to scholars like K.S. Subrahmanya Sastri, who has contributed to the study and publication of texts on Hindu temple architecture and iconography.

61) Gold (Golden):
Golden refers to either the color used in temple iconography or the metaphorical 'golden period' of temple construction, particularly during the Vijayanagara-Nāyaka era.

62) Pillar:
The pillar, such as the motif featuring Nṛsiṃha emerging from a pillar, is significant in temple architecture and iconographic storytelling in Hindu tradition.

63) Ranga (Ramga):
Raṅga refers to Śrīraṅgam or the 'stage' of Raṅganātha, symbolizing the divine platform where the deity is enshrined and worshipped.

64) Sapta (Shapta, Saptan):
Sapta indicates seven, as in the sapta-prākāras or seven enclosures surrounding the central shrine in the Śrīraṅgam temple.

65) Black:
Black symbolizes Kṛṣṇa, who is often referred to as the Black God or Kaṇṇaṉ due to his dark complexion in Tamil and Hindu literature.

66) Lotus:
The lotus, or Padma, symbolizes purity and is a significant emblem often depicted in the hands of Viṣṇu and other Hindu deities.

67) Light:
Light refers to divine illumination or 'tejas', often associated with the presence of deities like Viṣṇu in iconographic representations.

68) Vara:
[see source text or glossary: Vara]

69) Shiva (Siva):
Śiva is a major Hindu deity often mentioned alongside Viṣṇu in religious texts, iconography, and temple architecture.

70) Book:
Books refer to published works on subjects like Hindu iconography, temple architecture, and religious literature, critical for academic study.

71) Hindu iconography:
Hindu iconography is the study of sacred images, symbols, and representations of deities like Viṣṇu, essential for understanding religious art and architecture.

72) Tirukkuriali (Tirukkural, Thirukkural):
Tirukkuṟaḷ is an ancient Tamil text by Tiruvaḷḷuvar, contributing to Tamil literature with ethical teachings relevant to the bhakti tradition.

73) Reflection:
[see source text or glossary: Reflection]

74) Adhokshaja (Adhoksaja, Adhas-akshaja):
Adhokṣaja is one of the Mūrtis of Viṣṇu, representing a form beyond perception, contributing to the complex theological traditions in Hinduism.

75) Nammalvar:
Nammāḻvār is a prominent Āḻvār whose hymns remain central to Tamil bhakti literature and Viṣṇu devotional practices.

[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 103]