The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism (2 Vol Set)

One can read this dissonance in the
epic’s recognition that the hierarchical,
occupationally based social model is an
idealized projection and not always the
reality. It can also be argued that since
Adhiratha is not fulfilling his particular
religious duty (dharma) but has
usurped that of the ruling class, both he
and the country are destined for ruin.
The reality of his family’s lowly status
and the uncertainty about his birth
trouble Karna for most of his life.

Adhishthana

(“foundation”) In Hindu temple archi-
tecture, the raised base on which a tem-
ple was built. These are particularly high
in the temples at Khajuraho, and their
height accentuates the upward thrust of
these temples. Whether high or low, the
adhishthana is important as the temple’s
foundation, the stable base on which all
else rests.

Adhvaryum

A type of sacrificial priest described in
the Brahmanaliterature, one of the later

strands of the sacred literature known as

the Vedas. The Brahmanas largely func-

tioned as manuals describing how to

perform sacrificial rites—which primar-

ily involved burning offerings in a

sacred fire—and the care and attention

devoted to detailing these sacrifices,

which leads to the inference that these

were the primary religious acts. These

rites were so complex that they

required specialized ritual techni-

cians: the adhvaryum, the hotr, the

udgatr, and the brahman. The

adhvaryum was the sacrificial priest

who chanted the hymns from the

Yajur Vedathat were used in the sacri-

fice. He was also responsible for

preparing the sacred altar, assembling

the sacrificial materials, kindling and

feeding the sacred fire, and actually

offering the sacrificial animals.

Adhyasa

(“superimposition”) In Advaita Vedanta,

one of the six schoolsof classical Indian

philosophy, this is a key concept used to

explain the ultimate unreality of the

world around us, despite its apparent

Adhyasa

The Shri Channakeshara temple in Somnathpur, India. A traditional feature of Hindu temple

architecture is the adhishthana, a raised base upon which the temple is built.