Fire altar: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Fire altar means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)Fire altars were created using Bricks, which is also an important Material used for the Construction of Walls and Temples, according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—The procedure of making bricks is very nicely explained in the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa. [...] This is important to note that only properly baked bricks are accepted for construction. In the Śatapathabrāhmaṇa also, the reference of baked bricks are found which were used for making fire altars during Vedic time.
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (h)Fire altars (in Hinduism) are used for conveying the offerings to the deities through fire.—The Hindu temples are designed for the purpose of making connection between man and the divine and to help the people to develop their spiritual knowledge and truth. From almost all accounts, it comes up that the origin of Hindu temples goes far back to those fire altars, which were used for conveying the offerings to the deities through fire, sacredly energized by chanting the holy mantras of the Vedic time. [...] In the Śatapathabrāhmaṇa it is stated that by worshiping fire in the Vedic age, the devotees or the sages obtained saṃvīd i.e., the entire earth and as because they were able to obtain this entire earth by it, therefore the, sacrificial ground is called vedī. According to the Taittirīyabrāhmaṇa, also the earth itself is regarded as altar.
India history and geography
Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha (history)Fire altars were coloured as part of the twenty-four undertakings connected to marriage in ancient India, according to Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—The Kuvalayamala (779 A.D.) is full of cultural material which gains in value because of the firm date of its composition. [...] Page 170.21 f.: Twenty-four items are mentioned in connection with the marriage of Kuvalayamālā, [for instance, colouring of the fire altar (vedī)], [...].
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Fire.
Full-text (+12): Vedikakrama, Vedi, Upavasa, Agnikshetra, Brahmaciti, Bahistanva, Upacayya, Anghari, Colouring, Shmashana, Fire, Adhvaryava, Agnyadhana, Pravargya, Ahavaniya, Tilottama, Dakshayani, Yajnavedi, Baked brick, Shulbasutra.
Relevant text
Search found 38 books and stories containing Fire altar; (plurals include: Fire altars). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya) (by George Thibaut)
III, 3, 44 < [Third Adhyāya, Third Pāda]
III, 3, 50 < [Third Adhyāya, Third Pāda]
III, 3, 45 < [Third Adhyāya, Third Pāda]
Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja) (by George Thibaut)
Sutra 3.3.44 < [Third Adhyaya, Third Pada]
Sutra 3.3.50 < [Third Adhyaya, Third Pada]
Sutra 3.3.46 < [Third Adhyaya, Third Pada]
Satapatha-brahmana (by Julius Eggeling)
Kāṇḍa X, adhyāya 5, brāhmaṇa 3 < [Tenth Kāṇḍa]
Kāṇḍa X, adhyāya 4, brāhmaṇa 3 < [Tenth Kāṇḍa]
Kanda IX, adhyaya 4, brahmana 3 < [Ninth Kanda]
Samarangana-sutradhara (Summary) (by D. N. Shukla)
The Sacrifices of Rajasuya, Vajapeya and Ashvamedha (study) (by Aparna Dhar)
Details of the Agnicayana (fire-building ceremony) < [Chapter 5 - Minor sacrifices and their Political Significance]
Dichotomic interpretation of the Agnicayana Sacrifice < [Chapter 6 - Dichotomic interpretation of the Major and Minor sacrifices]
Importance of the Brāhmaṇa literature < [Chapter 1 - A brief outline of the Brāhmaṇa Literature]
Vishnudharmottara Purana (Art and Architecture) (by Bhagyashree Sarma)
1. Origin and Development of Temple building < [Chapter 4 - Temple Building]
4. Materials for the Construction of Temple < [Chapter 4 - Temple Building]
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