Nidhana
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Nidhana literally means ‘finale’.
Classification of Sāmans[edit]
In Somayāgas like the Agniṣṭoma certain mantras of the Sāmaveda are called ‘sāmans’. They have to be chanted musically. Such sāmans have five parts:
- Prastāva - It is chanted by prastotṛ.
- Udgītha - It is chanted by udgātṛ.
- Pratihāra - It is chanted by prati-hartṛ.
- Upadrava - It is chanted by udgātṛ.
- Nidhana - It is chanted by prastotṛ, udgātṛ and prati-hartṛ.
Interjections of Nidhana[edit]
Nidhana, the last, contains interjections like:
- Sāt
- Sām
- Suvāh
- Iḍā
- Vāk
- Ā
A bundle of grass of a handful[1] quantity to be spread on the vedi[2] is also called ‘nidhana’. The common meaning of the word is ‘death’.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore