A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

arghya 26
One story explains its origins thus: an
ardent devotee of Ÿiva, who refused to
worship PÄRVATÏ, his consort, tried to
avoid CIRCUMAMBULATING the pair by
slipping between their feet. Ÿiva, resenting
this, became one with Pärvatï, so
that the devotee could not but also circumambulate
the goddess.
arghya
Water to rinse hands and mouth before
worship and meals.
Arjuna (‘white’)
The third of the PÄŒ¥AVAS, a brave warrior.
KØÆŒA’s partner in the Bhagavadgïta,
in which he receives the new teaching
of salvation through devotion to
Kø•æa and the revelation of Kø•æa’s
VIŸVA-RÜPA (universal form of God). He
was asked to perform the funeral rites
for Kø•æa in his capital city Dväraka,
and then retired into the Himälayas.
är•a (‘relating to, or made by, ø•is
[sages]’)
Sayings of (Vedic) sages, or images consecrated
by them.
art
The traditional 64 arts (kalä) comprise
a wide variety of skills, crafts and various
artistic activities, such as playing an
instrument, flower arranging, dancing,
painting, sculpture, architecture, producing
perfumes, creating colourful
patterns, applying cosmetics, weaving,
stitching, basket making, ceramics,
singing, woodworking, playing tops,
planting gardens, caring for trees,
stringing beads, refining diamonds,
reading, writing, cooking etc. Their
great variety and the inclusion of practical
skills and useful crafts is indicative
of the Hindu approach to art as part of
everyday life rather than the occupation
of some individuals for the sake of the
aesthetic pleasure of a refined minority.
The endeavour to perfect each of
these arts has led to the production of a
great many ÿästras (‘sciences’) in many
areas that have become acknowledged
as authoritative. Thus Näflyaÿästra texts
teach music and dance, Ÿilpaÿästra is
concerned with architecture and sculpture
(including a study of the materials
required). The skill of Indian craftsmen
was proverbial even in antiquity. The
fact that most arts were practised by
members of special castes provided
India with a large pool of skilled hereditary
artists and craftsmen. The fine arts
in the modern Western sense, such as
painting, sculpture, composing, playing
instruments, singing, dancing and performing
on the stage were cultivated at
all levels. In both the residence towns of
Indian rulers and in small towns and villages
one can often find exquisite temples,
beautiful sculptures and highly
skilled craftsmen. Many Hindu housewives
in the south decorate the entrance
to their homes every morning with
beautiful coloured patterns made with
riceflower (raögolï), and the daily rituals
of worship performed by ordinary
men before the IMAGE of the god in their
homes are a sophisticated form of art.
A great deal of art was created in
the service of religion: construction of
temples, carving of sculptures, producing
of brass images and singing and
dancing in honour of the deity were part
of the service owed to the deity.
artha (1) (‘wealth’)
One of the four PURUÆÄRTHAS (legitimate
human goals).
artha (2)
In grammar, meaning (of words or sentences);
object.
artha (3)
In statecraft, acquisition and preservation
of wealth. (See also ÄRTHA-ŸÄSTRA.)