Masotsava, Māsotsava, Masa-utsava: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Masotsava 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.

In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: Wisdom Library: Pāñcarātra

Māsotsava (मासोत्सव) [=māsotsava vidhiḥ] is the name of the twenty-third chapter of the Aniruddhasaṃhitā: an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama scripture in thirty-four chapters dealing with the varieties of worships, administration of sciences, rājadharma, town planning, expiation, installation of images, the rules regarding the construction of images, etc.

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Māsotsava (मासोत्सव) refers to “monthly festivals”, as discussed in the twenty-third chapter of the Aniruddhasaṃhitā, an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama text dealing with the annual festivals of temples and regular temple worship routines.—Description of the chapter [māsotsavavidhi]: In addition to the preceding chapter’s regular festivals, there are certain special festivals to be observed at other times. When and how these are to be observed are given: tulāsyāropaṇa, damanāropaṇa and campakāropaṇa (1-8); phalotsava (10b-26); paṅkajotsava (27-33); gandhotsava (34-44a); and puṣyamāsotsava (446-46).

Pancaratra book cover
context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Discover the meaning of masotsava in the context of Pancaratra from relevant books on Exotic India

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Masotsava in Shaivism glossary
Source: Cracow Indological Studies: Paḷḷivēṭṭa, or the ‘Royal Hunt’, in Prescriptive Literature and in Present-day Practice in Kerala

Māsotsava (मासोत्सव) refers to “monthly festivals” according to the Āgama literature.—Festivals (utsava) are an important feature of Indian temple culture. It is said the virtue of a temple depends on five different aspects: the religious austerity of the Ācārya (tapas), recitation of the Vedas (japa), following the rules as instructed in the scriptures (niyama), festivals (utsava), and the giving of food (annadāna). [...] In the ritual manuals that are produced in different regions of India, we find descriptions of various types of festival [including monthly (māsotsava)].

Shaivism book cover
context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Discover the meaning of masotsava in the context of Shaivism from relevant books on Exotic India

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