SVARASAMHITA (5 Vols.)

Two very important schools of philosophy and ritual have emerged from Visnuism, Vaikhanasa (or Pancaratra). The Pancaratra school’s important text is Isvarasamhita. Vaikhanasa, which is more archaic and relies more on the Vedic tradition to provide its Mantras for religious ceremonies and rituals, is more open-minded and liberal than the Pancaratra. It is a text tradition that dates back approximately two thousand years. This text tradition also served as the basis for the Visistadvaita philosophy, which was developed by Ramanuja in the 11th – 12th centuries. Most Vaisnava temples across South India, particularly in Tamilnadu follow the instructions of one of the important Pancaratra Samhitas. Isvarasamhita, an important text in the Pancaratra School, is closely followed for the conduct of daily Puja ceremonies and the performance of religious festivals at the Narayanasvami Temple of Melkote. Based on its reference in Shri Yamunacarya’s Agama Pramanya, it can be safely dated to the 8th-9th century. It is believed to be a simplified and smaller version the older Sattvatasamhita from this school, which is the oldest work of Pancaratra. This is why it is one of three ratnas (Jewels), alongside Pauskara Samhitas and Jaya Samhitas. The Isvarasamhita explains in detail the rituals, ceremonies and ceremonies that take place in Vaisnava temples in 25 long Adhyayas. The authenticity of the Isvarasamhita’s Palm Leaf Manuscripts was made possible by the Narayanasvami temple in Melkote. The gloss of Alasimha Bhatta (early in the 19th century) has been added to the text. This will help you understand certain sectarian or difficult expressions. For the convenience of modern scholars who study philosophy, ritual, and iconography in Visnuism, the English translation is located on the opposite page (right).