Rathantara

Rathantara

Grammar: neuter noun; the name of a sāman (a chant of the Sāmaveda), the Rathantara-sāma.

Meaning: the Rathantara sāman, one of the chants sung by the Sāmavedins.

In the scriptures:

• In the adhivāsana of a Śiva-liṅga, the preparatory rite before its installation, Parameśvara teaches that the brāhmaṇas expert in the Vedas recite by direction. In the east the Ṛgvedins recite the Śrī-sūkta and the Pāvamānī ṛks; in the south the Sāmavedins sing the Devavrata, the Bhāruṇḍa, the Jyeshṭha-sāma, the Rathantara-sāma and the Purusha-gīta; in the west the Yajurvedins recite the Rudra-sūkta and the Purusha-sūkta; in the north the Atharvavedins recite the Nīlarudra and the Atharvaśiras (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 96).
• In the Sāma-vidhāna that Pushkara teaches Paraśurāma, the Rathantara sāma and the Vāmadevya sāma increase brahmavarcas (spiritual radiance). The Vāmadevya, the Rathantara and the Bṛhat sāma destroy all pāpa, without doubt (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 261).
• The word also names a kalpa: in the list of the Purāṇas and their gifts, the Brahmavaivarta Purāṇa, which Sāvarṇi told Nārada, contains the account of the Rathantara Kalpa (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 272).

Related terms: Sāman · Sāmaveda · Vāmadevya · Bṛhat · Brahmavarcas · Adhivāsana

Sources

• Agni Purāṇa, Chapters 96, 261, 272