Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House

Isvarasamhita (Set of 5 Vols.)

Both Vaikhanasa and Pancaratra are very significant schools of ritual and philosophy that emerged as a direct result of Visnuism’s influence. The Isvarasamhita is an essential piece of literature for followers of the Pancaratra school of Visnuism.

Pancaratra is characterised by a more open and permissive approach, in contrast to Vaikhanasa, which has a character that is relatively archaic and relies more heavily on the Vedic tradition for its repertoire of mantras that are used in religious rites and ceremonies. Pancaratra’s repertoire of mantras can be found here. It has a text tradition that dates back around two thousand years, which has also been the primary basis for the Visistadvaita philosophy that was developed by Ramanuja (between the 11th and 12th centuries). Worship is performed in line with the instructions provided in one of the significant Pancaratra Samhitas at the vast majority of Vaisnava temples located in southern India, particularly in the state of Tamilnadu.

At the Narayanasvami temple in Melkote, a strict adherence to the Isvarasamhita can be seen throughout the daily puja ritual as well as during the many other types of religious celebrations that take place there. This is because the Isvarasamhita is an essential scripture of the Pancaratra School. Given that it is mentioned in Shri Yamunacarya’s Agama Pramanya, we may confidently place it somewhere between the 8th and 9th centuries at the very least. It is said to be a simpler and shorter version of the older sattvatasamhita of this school, which is the earliest available work of Pancaratra and is regarded as one of three ratnas, (Jewels), along with the Pauskara- and Jaya Samhitas. In other words, it is the simplest and shortest version of the older sattvatasamhita of this school. The Isvarasamhita contains a description of the rites, rituals, and ceremonies that take place (or ought to take place) at a Vaisnava temple. This description is spread out across 25 lengthy Adhyayas.

Palm leaf Because of its reputation for genuineness, the Narayanasvami temple in Melkote was the primary source for the Isvarasamhita manuscripts that were acquired. We have included attached to the text the gloss that was written by Alasimha Bhatta in the early 19th century. This gloss will be of assistance in understanding some terms that are difficult to understand or are sectarian in nature. The current researchers who are working on the philosophy, ritual, and iconography of Visnuism will find the English translation helpful, thus it has been supplied on the page facing them (to the right).

It should come as no surprise that the study of art cannot proceed without first acquiring a sufficient familiarity with ritual.

Author

V. Varadachari

The Sacrificial Ritual in the Satapatha Brahmana

The Sacrificial Ritual in the Satapatha Brahmana

Author

Naama Drury

The Hymns of Sankara

In conjunction with Sri Sankara Jayanti festivities at Sankara Vihara, Ayanavaram, Madras, every year it has been a regular habit to put out some modest publication based on the works of the Great Master as also works about him under the term ‘Jayanti Series’. The current work falls within such category.

Besides composing his well-known commentaries and Advaita manuals, Adi Sankara penned a great number of powerful hymns filled with intense devotion. Were this reality well known, the complaint brought against Sankara’s Advaita, viz., that there is no space for bhakti in the path of jnana would not have been made.

This book contains several of his hymns. At the conclusion Totakacarya’s well-known song to Sankara is added.

The material is offered in Devanagari script with transliteration, English translation and commentary.

Author

Dr. T.M.P. Mahadevan

The Pravargya Brahmana of the Taittiriya Aranyaka: An Ancient Commentary on the Pravargya Ritual

A historical commentary on the Pravargya ceremony can be found in Prapathaka 5, which is part of the Taittiriya Aranyaka in the Andhra recension. This commentary, known as the Pravargya Brahmana, is presented here in a translation that also includes annotations. An investigation of the Pravargya ritual is included in the Introduction. This ceremony is referred to as “One of the few rites that have been specifically alluded to in the Rgveda (typically under the term “Gharma”).” The abstract and spiritual character of what is most likely the primary purpose of the ritual – the participants should acquire the lustre of the sun – the straightforward means by which it can be performed, and the manner in which the main implement, the pot which is heated to a red-hot temperature, is worshipped, give it a special place among the vast assortment of Vedic rites. In addition to the translation, the original Sanskrit text of the Pravargya Brahmana of the Taittiriyas has also been provided here. The present work was prepared under the direction of Professor Dr. H.W. Bodewitz (Utrecht), and it is an expansion of an essay that the author wrote as part of the author’s partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of “doctorandus” at the University of Utrecht, 1987. This work was prepared under the guidance of Professor Dr. H.W. Bodewitz (Utrecht).

Author

Jan E.M. Houben

Madhyanindenkramapath (Pratham Bhag)

A Brief Synopsis of the Book Madhyanindenkramapath (Pratham Bhag) “Blossoms of Friendship depicts each one of Vimala Thakar’s speeches as a delectable morsel, so preserving the ageless quality of Thakar’s words. The fifth chapter, “The Silence of Meditation,” is my favourite because it so eloquently emphasises the need of spiritual practise in modern society, even going so far as to call it a necessity.”

About the Author(s)

Yudhishthir Mimansak

Daay Bhag: Mahamahopadhyay-Shriji Mootwahankrit:

Daay Bhag: Mahamahopadhyay-Shriji Mootwahankrit

About the Author(s)

A. Subrahmanya Shastri

Mantra

The encounter with the holy in India is a synthesis of three distinct aspects: performance, music, and visual presentation. One of three works that make up a trilogy that also includes Diana Eck’s Darsan: An introduction to the use of sound, or mantra, in the practise of Indian religion, Seeing the Divine in India gives an overview of this aspect of Indian spirituality. The use of mantra, which may take the form of prayers, rituals, and chants, is ingrained in the everyday practise of Indian religion, whether it is carried out at a temple or at home. This book explores the ability of mantra to bring about a shift in one’s state of awareness. It incorporates allusions to Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim as well as Sufi and Sufi traditions as it investigates the use and theory of mantra throughout a number of different religious systems, such as the Patanjali sutras and tantra. This updated version includes additional chapters on the use of holy sound among groups of Hindus and Sikhs who have migrated to North America, as well as on the practise of yoga and mantra in North America by people who are not of Indian descent.