Explanation on ' Pitambara'

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas.

While posting about Periyalwar, I had mentioned that " as the processsion

emerged out

there appeared on the sapphire skies, Lord Vishnu in his proverbial pink

attire

( Pitambara) "

 

Mr Mani asked and rightly-

" Is not Pitambara a yellow-colored garment? This is how Krishna is normally

pictured in the devotional paintings I have seen. "

 

I give below my PROVISIONAL explanation which I had sent in a private mail

to Mr. Mani. I am posting this in the net because Mr. Mani had raised it in

the net. I shall be back with a final reply as soon as I get a clarification

from my Acharyas who have mentioned on the lines stated by me

DASOHAM

Anbil Ramaswamy

 

Subj: Missing digests#2.71 and 2.75

96-05-18 23:17:27 EDT

VVijay1068

mani

 

Dear Mani,

I have not received Bhakti Digests # 2.71 and 2.75.

I will be much obliged if you can arrange to transmit them to me to make my

collection complete. Thanks.

 

Regarding Pitambaram, the word ' Pita ' does mean yellow but I have heard

scholors saying in Kalakshepams that it is not the kind of yellow we come

across with reference to ' Manjal Veshti' used during marriages or by those

visiting Tirupathi. These are deep yellow in color. Yellow has several

hues, one that is whiteish ( like artificial Pattu ) or natural original

that is slightly pinkish which goes by the name of ' Patala pita '. A

similar difference can be noticed as between cultured pearl which is bright

white in color and the real original pearl of a slightly different ' shade

'.

 

Also, it can be seen that the Lord is described as wearing pure white - vide

"SUKLA AMBARA DHAARAM Vishnum Sasi Varnam Chatur Bhujam". In this context,

the word Sukla meas ' White'. In fact any color would suit the Lord as can

be seen from the colorful attire he is donned in temples - like even Green as

in Sri Parthasarathy temple.

 

Anyway, this is only a provisional reply. I did not wish to rush with an

explanation without consulting our Acharyas in Srirangam . As H.H. the

Jeeyar is presently in Sancharam, I cannot reach him rightaway. The process

naturally takes time, but I can assure you that I will certainly get back to

you on the subject as soon as I get a clarification.

 

I would once again request you NOT to raise these points in the Public Net

since I would not be able to reply at once because of the verification

process and LACK OF MY IMMEDIATE RESPONSE PENDING CLARIFICATION MIGHT BE

MISTAKEN BY THE GENERAL READERSHIP. I would appreciate if you address your

doubts and concerns by PRIVATEMAIL. I assure that they will receive as

prompt a consideration as any public mail would. I am sure you will

appreciate my position.

 

I would appreciate your feedback on my postings on Andal. If there are any

corrections to be made, I will obliged if anyone were to point out. And, any

words of appreciation would certainly enthuse me into improving my

contributions.

 

With best wishes,

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy