Archives Glossary of special terms

prabha

circle of light or a halo; decorative circle or flames framing sculptural image of deity; aureole

prabhavali

an arch with tongues of flame attached to it (cf. tiruvachi)

pradakshina

act of circumambulating a deity or place of reverence

pradakshinavithi

perambulatory passage

prajapatya

Prājāpatya (प्राजापत्य), cubit of 25 fingers; unit of measurement; 1 Prājāpatya = 25 Angula’s

prakara

on of the circuits round the sanctum; enclosure wall; Generally, there a five prakaras: antara-mandala, antara-hara, madhya-hara, bahya-hara and maryada. (The temple at Srirangam has seven prakaras)

pralambapada

Pralambapāda or Pralambapadasana is the European position; Sitting on a seat with both legs pendant in the Western manner.

pralambapadasana

Pralambapādasana or Pralambapada is the European position; Sitting on a seat with both legs pendant in the Western manner.

pranala

Spout projected like a gargoyle to discharge water.

prasada

temple in general; Classifications according to shape: sama-chaturasra, vritta, chaturdirgha, hasti-prishtha, vrittayata, shatkona and ashtasra (respectively, square, circular, rectangular, apsidal, elliptical, hexagonal and octagonal). Northern-style temple, as distinct from the vimana form of the south. Flowers or food offered to… Continue Reading →

prasada-dvara

main temple-gateway/gopuram with 3 to 5 storeys

prasarita

Prasārita (प्रसारित), a type of reclining posture (Sayana); Lying down with one arm as the pillow and the knees stretched. It is to be used to represent one enjoying a sleep of happiness.

prashasti

dynastic eulogy

prastara

(also prastaram, Tamil: பிரஸ்தரம்) the roof cornice; Entablature, consisting of mouldings over walls and pillars, viz the uttira (beam), vajana, valabhi, kapota, alinga and antari (architrave, frieze and cornice).

prastaram

(also prastara, Tamil: பிரஸ்தரம்) the roof cornice; Entablature, consisting of mouldings over walls and pillars, viz the uttira (beam), vajana, valabhi, kapota, alinga and antari (architrave, frieze and cornice).

prathama-gana

the chief gana

pratima-lakshana

Pratima-lakshana or Pratimalakshana refers to the ‘body postures of the icons’, as defined according to texts dealing with shilpa (arts and crafs), known as shilpashastra. The body postures are classified into three divisions: kai-amaiti or hasta (hand gestures), asana (the… Continue Reading →

pratimalakshana

Pratimālakṣaṇa (प्रतिमालक्षण) or Pratima-lakshana refers to the ‘body postures of the icons’, as defined according to texts dealing with shilpa (arts and crafs), known as shilpashastra. The body postures are classified into three divisions: kai-amaiti or hasta (hand gestures), asana… Continue Reading →

pratyalidha

Pratyālīḍha (प्रत्यालीढ), warrior’s pose, the opposite of the alidha posture; Right leg bent at the knee and the left leg stretched behind and kept straight at an angle.

pravala

necklace of mixed gems

prayoga-chakra

discus in action

pretasana

Pretāsana (प्रेतासन), a seat or pedestal on which the whole body lies relaxed and motionless, certainly appearing as if dead.

prishthachakra

wheel design on buttocks

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