Candrapitha, Candrapīṭha, Candra-pitha: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Candrapitha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

Alternative spellings of this word include Chandrapitha.

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śilpa-śāstra

Candrapīṭha (चन्द्रपीठ) is a Sanskrit technical term, referring to a type of pedestal (pīṭha), used in the construction of liṅgas. It is named after the kind of moulding (candra). The word liṅga refers to a symbol used in the worship of Śiva and is used thoughout Śaiva literature, such as the sacred Āgamas.

Shilpashastra book cover
context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Candrapitha in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Candrapīṭha (चन्द्रपीठ) refers to the “sacred seat of the Moon”, according to the commentary (vyākyā) on the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “[...] : That is the energy of the New Moon (amākalā) and is called the sacred seat of the Moon [i.e., candrapīṭha]. If the goddess is conceived to be the Moon, she is then in the form of the left channel, emanation, the entry (of the breath), and the north. How is she when she is otherwise? She is ‘located in the midst of the sixteen-spoked (Wheel)’. The sixteen vowels are the energies of the Moon. Thus, anackā, the sixteenth energy, is Kubjinī, in the form of Kuṇḍalinī. This is the meaning”.

Shaktism book cover
context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Candrapitha in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

Candrapīṭha (चन्द्रपीठ) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—[tantric] Quoted by Narasiṃha in Tārābhaktisudhārṇava. Catal. Io. p. 897.

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

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