padapaflha

The text of the Veda in which each

word (päda) stands distinct, not joined

to preceding or following words.

padma

A lotus or lotus-like ornament; also a

name of RÄMA. Padma-äsana: a lotus

seat.

Padmanäbha

One of Vi•æu’s VYÜHAS, bearing five

shields as emblem.

Padma Puräæa

One of the Vai•æava MAHÄPURÄŒAS,

deriving its name from the period when

the world was a golden lotus.

pagala (‘mad’)

A type of saint, whose behaviour is

abnormal, but still within certain recog-

nized religious limits.

Pallavas

South Indian dynasty, c. 300–888 CE,

whose capital was Käñcïpuram; gener-

ous patrons of the arts and promoters of

ŸAIVISM. Well-known Pallava monarchs

are Mahendravarma I (600–30 CE),

Narasimhavarma I (630–60 CE), under

whose reign the seven rathas of

MAHÄBALIPURA were constructed,

Narasimhavarma II (695–722), under

whom the famous Kailäsanäflha temple

in Käñcïpura was built. Around 900CE

the Pallava kingdom was annexed by

the COLAS.

pañca-lak•ana

See MÄHÄPURÄŒA.

Pañcäöga (‘five limbs’)

Yearly almanac, which provides astro-

nomical charts for every fortnight of a

year, indispensable for astrologers, as

well as for the determination of feast

days. (See alsoASTROLOGY; CALENDAR;

FESTIVALS.)

Päñcarätra (‘five nights’)

An ancient VAIÆŒAVAtheological tradi-

tion, which accepts the separate reality

of God, world and human being. It has

become part of the theology of

ŸRÏVAIÆŒAVISM. The name has also been

explained as signifying the synthesis of

five hitherto divided traditions, namely

the Ekäntika, the Bhägavata, the

Näräyaæïya, the Vaikhänasa, and the

Sätvata. The first promoter of the

Päñcarätra doctrine was Ÿäæõilya, the

author of a Bhaktisütra. The main

sources for Päñcarätra are the volumi-

nous Päñcarätra Ägamas, of which the

best known are the Ahirbudhnya, the

Sanätkumäraand the Parameÿvara.

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