Significance of Bali offering
Bali offering encompasses a wide range of sacrificial offerings within various religious traditions, including Buddhism, Purana, Shaktism, Dharmashastra, Pancaratra, and Theravada. In Buddhism, it is linked to Sujata's aspirations and sacrificial rituals. In Hinduism, it involves offerings made during Shraddha ceremonies, directed towards ancestors and deities, reflecting devotion and respect. Various specific types of bali offerings are outlined, embodying ritualistic practices aimed at appeasing spiritual beings, honoring divine figures, and representing a significant aspect of worship across these cultural contexts.
In Dutch: Bali-aanbieding; In Finnish: Balin tarjonta; In Spanish: Ofrenda de Bali; In German: Bali-Angebot
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Bali offering'
Bali offering in Buddhism symbolizes respect and duty through offerings to gods or kings, while also representing sacrificial food intended by Sujata as part of her religious aspirations following her first pregnancy.
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) Offerings made to gods or kings, symbolizing respect and duty.[1]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) A sacrificial food offering that Sujata intended to make as part of her religious aspiration after her first pregnancy.[2]
Hindu concept of 'Bali offering'
Bali offering in Hinduism encompasses a variety of ritualistic sacrifices made to deities, spirits, and ancestors. It is marked by careful preparation and placement, symbolizing devotion, respect, and the appeasement of divine beings across various ceremonies.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Offerings made to deities, placed in all directions during the sacrifice.[3] (2) Ritual offerings made to household deities before providing food to guests, signaling a sacred duty.[4] (3) Offerings thrown on prepared altars, indicating a method of worship and providing for the gods.[5] (4) Specific offerings made into receptacles other than fire as part of sacrifices to elementals.[6] (5) Additional offerings made, typically with the remnants of food, to various deities.[7]
From: Gobhila-grihya-sutra
(1) An offering made to the king of Serpents, involving the pouring of water and flour in a sacred manner.[8] (2) The ritual offerings made in different directions to gods during house ceremonies.[9] (3) A type of offering made to the divine beings during the sacrificial process, often accompanied by specific formulas.[10] (4) Ritual offerings made during the Agrahayani day.[11]
From: Asvalayana-grihya-sutra
(1) Offerings made towards the four quarters of the horizon during the sacrificial rites.[12] (2) Specific kinds of offerings made to spiritual beings, highlighting respect and devotion.[13] (3) A specific offering made to divine hosts, particularly of the serpents, during the Shravana ceremony.[14] (4) A sacrificial offering that is presented in the ritual to appease the Caitya.[15]
From: Paraskara-grihya-sutra
(1) A specific type of offering made to deities or demons as part of the sacrificial rites, indicating respect and reverence.[16] (2) A specific type of offering made during the rituals, indicated as finished once certain protocols are followed.[17] (3) A type of offering made to deities, which may include food or other symbolic items.[18]
From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra
(1) A specific type of offering made as part of Hindu rituals, requiring careful preparation.[19] (2) A daily ritual offering to various beings, highlighting the practice of giving as part of sacrificial traditions.[20]
From: Sankhayana-grihya-sutra
(1) An offering made to honor and invoke divine beings, particularly the celestial Serpents.[21] (2) A type of offering characterized as unsacrificed, typically made to deities or spirits.[22]
From: Apastamba Grihya-sutra
(1) A ritual offering of food or flour performed on a specific day during the full moon of the month Margashirsha.[23] (2) Ritual offerings made to ancestors, often invoked during Grihya rituals and significant in the context of death and remembrance.[24]
From: Khadira-grihya-sutra
(1) A type of sacrificial offering made during rituals, often accompanied by specific chants or formulas, to appease deities.[25] (2) Offerings made to various deities, typically consisting of food, placed at designated locations.[26]
From: Baudhayana Dharmasutra
(1) An offering that is also not to be performed during the purification process involving barley.[27]
From: Vasistha Dharmasutra
(1) An offering made to the guardian deities of the house.[28]
From: Gautama Dharmasutra
(1) A type of offering made to deities, which are part of the rituals performed by the householder.[29]
From: Hiranyakesi-grihya-sutra
(1) Sacrificial offerings made to Serpents in various regions during the rituals.[30]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) A significant ritual offering made to deities, which is performed regularly, either multiple times a day or once.[31] (2) A ritualistic offering of food and other articles to deities, performed during religious ceremonies.[32] (3) The ritual food offering made to Bhutas (evil spirits) during worship, using a secular fire.[33]
From: Markandeya Purana
(1) A sacrificial offering made by the king and the vaishya, which included blood from their own limbs.[34] (2) A specific ritual offering dedicated to various deities, performed at prescribed directions and times, as a mark of devotion and respect.[35]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) Sacrificial offerings made during the Shraddha ceremonies to appease the ancestors and the Pitris.[36]
The concept of Bali offering in local and regional sources
Bali offering is a component of the Indradhvaja festival, described as a simple aspect of the celebration, highlighting its cultural significance within the festival's rituals and practices as per regional sources.
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) This offering is mentioned in the text as a component of the Indradhvaja festival, and it appears to be a simple component in this context.[37]