Pratinidhi

By Swami Harshananda

Pratinidhi literally means ‘one who represents another’.

In general, the word means a person who can act on behalf of someone else or as a substitute in the rite. The Purvamīmānsā system, while dealing with Vedic sacrifices, is very definite that a pratinidhi or substitute is not allowed with regard to the devatā,^[1] the five Vedic fires, the particular mantra to be chanted on a particular occasion, certain specially prescribed rites as also the svāmin.^[2]

The Atrismrti^[3] permits a person to perform Gaṅgā snāna^[4] vicariously by requesting another who is actually going on a pilgrimage, in case he himself is unable to do so due to old-age, disease or any other valid reason. This second person has to do it by immersing a doll made of kuśa grass in the river with appropriate mantras. This doll then becomes a ‘pratinidhi’ of the first person who is unable to perform the pilgrimage.

References[edit]

↑ Devatā means the deity.
↑ Svāmin is the sacrificer.
↑ Atrismrti verses 50 and 51
↑ Gaṅgāsnāna means bath in the river Gaṅgā.

The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

[1] Devatā means the deity.

[2] Svāmin is the sacrificer.

[3] Atrismrti verses 50 and 51

[4] Gaṅgāsnāna means bath in the river Gaṅgā.

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