Expiatory Rites in Keralite Tantra
by T. S. Syamkumar | 2017 | 59,416 words
This page relates ‘Expiatory Rites In Rauravagama� of the study on Expiatory Rites in Sanskrit literature and ancient Indian religion and society, with special reference to Keralite Tantra. Further references to texts include those found in Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism as well as Dharmashastra literature. This study also investigates temple records and inscriptions of Kerala in order to demonstrate the connection between social life and expiatory rites and its evolution.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
1.5. Expiatory Rites In 鲹ܰ岵
鲹ܰ岵 is an important treatise of ŚԳٲ school of thought. It is one of the essential Ā in twenty-eight Ś岵. The text contains four sections, including ѳܻ, Yoga, initiation, daily rituals, consecration ceremonies, funerary rites etc. It too elucidates the concept of expiation and its practices. The fifty-sixth ʲṭa of this Ā illustrates expiatory rituals to be done for the entering of untouchables in temple premises or falling of their blood, flesh and wine in the sanctum sanctorum or any part of temple courtyard. Also the entering of dogs, cocks, monkeys, asses, pigs and other animals cause for impurity.[1]
According to this, entering of 䲹ṇḍ is a sinful and impure action. It suggests Snapana, Mūrttihoma, ٳԲśܻ, ʳṇy, Gonivāsana (making a cow stand in affected places), offering food to a Brahmin, Saptaśuddhi, Beraśuddhi, sprinkling of Pañcagavyā in affected places and Avagāhakalaśa to be done for the pacification of impurity.[2] Moreover, it describes other faults leading to impurities like the birth and death taking place in temple courtyard and touching of a menstruated woman. It suggests one hundred and eight ś, pouring of smeared water, ʳṇy and contemplation on Annapūrṇeśvari to be performed as the remedies of these impurities.[3] It has to be mentioned that all purificatory rituals seen in this text can be found in some other Ā like 侱Գٲ岵 and ⲹܱ岵.[4] Moreover, Raurava mentioned some expiations related to renovation of the temple and some impurities caused by entering and touching of outcastes, falling down of temple, outbreak of fire, falling down and destruction of the idol of minor deities, falling down of idol, omissions of worship, omission of Utsava, decay of ṣṭԻ, falling down of flagstaff, and omission of Bali, light and īٳ. Atbhutaśānti, śԳپ and Diśāhoma are recommended as remedies for the removal of impurities and bad impacts.[5]
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
Ibid., 56.3-18 & 44.11-13.
[3]:
Ibid., 53.19-24.
[4]:
Cf. Bhatt, N.R., ed., 鲹ܰ岵, Vol. III, p. xvi.
[5]:
Ibid., p. lvi.