Some basic queries - ThirumaN shapes and why we wear?

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srImathE rAmAnujAya namaha

 

Humble pranams:

 

===AdiyEn is about to put this article (origianlly sent to other lists) up at

our Web Site. Please add/Correct any inconsistencies.===

 

Some basic queries

- ThirumaN shapes and why we wear?

 

Vaishnavas (Worshippers of Vishnu as the Supreme) wear on their bodies the

LORD's external symbols.

There are several groups of Vaishnavas,

srI Vaishnava, Chaitanya, Vallabha, ISKON Vaishnavas (fast growing).

 

Among these srI Vaishnavas have their faith in Bhakti & Prapatti

for/to srIman nArAyanA (MahaVishnu & MahaLakshmi), and

wear on their foreheads the mark of the feet of the LORD, in the vertical

position.

 

Works like Padma Purana, Marichi, Pancaharatra, Viakhanasa, Parameswara samhita

etc explain clearly how the feet of the Lord should be worn on the forehead.

They do not though explain the details of the shape very clearly.

They do give about 25 objects, which the "Lords feet" should resemble, all these

shapes and forms have the authority of the shastras.

 

These 20 to 25 forms can be reduced to two forms, one resembling the english

letter "Y" and the other "U"

 

Minor Vedantic differences existed between scholars, subsequent to the age of

Purvacharyas, which formed into Vatakalai & Thenkalai groups.

Both groups wear the "Lords feet" of different forms U & Y, but they both will

quote the same Pancaratra samhita sloka as authority.

 

Both Y & U denote both the feet of the lord (Charanao, is Dwithia vibhakti)

Swami Venkata Nathar in "Saccaritra Raksha" explains that the Mark worn on the

forehead of Vaishnavas should not be designated by the name, but be designated

"HARIPADAKRITI" The shape of the feet of Hari. (He does not say Y or U)

If there had been any conrtoversy over this at that time, swami Venkata Nathar

would have mentioned this in his work.

 

There are Vadakalai scholars who have their reasons for why U stands only for

one foot of the Lord. (adiyEn is not knowledgeable in this aspect.)

 

So all the controversy we see over Y & U does not have a basis,

as different forms of the Lord's feet have been sanctioned by the Sastras.

No difference or quarrel should arise on this account. (Shape of Feet of the

Lord)

 

There is a difference in Y and U shape. This mainly arises from interpretation

of the same sloka that both groups agree on. In the Phrases : Arabhya Nasika

Mulam :

 

Nasikamulam arabhya: "nasadikesa paryantam, anasamulam-arabhya" - From

Pancarathra Samhita

 

1st Interpretation (Literal meaning ) Followed by U mark.

=====================================================

Adi and Mula indicate the Space between two eyebrows, Nasanta (Nose Tip)

 

"Feet of the Lord" is from the space between the eye-brows - Bhru Madha

to the end of the Hair - Kesanta.

 

2nd Interpretation (Technical interpretation) Followed by Y mark.

======================================================

Since Pancaratra samhita is a highly technical treatise (Not a literary work)

the Y groups feels technical interpretation is more appropropriate

 

Nasikamula is one word and not Two words , same as nasamula is one word

 

The nose is divided into two parts :

The soft portion of the nost from the tip : Madhvasti

Over the Madhvasti, The Hard Part : Nasikamula (or Nasamula)

 

The Y shape comes as the Mark should commence from the "Hard part" of the nose

=================================================================

 

Vikhanasa muni :- (Wearing Y Shape) in most Indian Temples.

adiyEn has had long dicussions about this with the Thiruvallikeni Chief Priest,

Vaikhanasa Scholar.

Swamin has quoted some Vaikhanasa slokas and explaines the

bottom part as the Stand for the feet of the Lord, as you would not want to just

make Maha Vishnu & Lakshmi sit on the floor, you always put a stand on which you

will have them grace.

 

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada: (Wear Y shape in all cases)

Since you see the Y shape on all the ISCON followers and HH A.C.B Swami,

adiyEn asked some of his followers for the reasons for the Y shape on their

forehead

All they said : it is per our acharya and his words on this are as per Puranas.

==================================================================

 

Now the Presence of MahaLakshmi between the feet of the LORD is acccepted by

both U & Y (Tiruppolinda sevadi yen seeninyin mer porittai - PeriAzhwar)

Lakshmi is represented as Sre:Churna. This is Turmeric (yellow in color) made

red during manufacture.

According to Pancaratra, in the mystical diagram representing the Lord's

position of Lakshmi is marked red. Thenkalais and some of the Vadakalais have

adopted the red color for sre:churna.

The other part of Vadakalai use the Yellow color and they also have authorities.

"Hiranya Varnam Harinim ...." Golden Color

===================================================================

Follow up questions that will come up: (More relevant )

 

Q. Why we wear Thiruman:

A. To take the feet of the Lord on our forehead and other parts

(To indicate we are HIS servants)

Q. Why do we do that. ?

To make our body a temple for srImannArAyanA (srI & Narayana)

and to identify us as HIS property.

 

With this we realize & act in accordance to the Lord and are guided by HIM

: in our Heart we always have HIM; all our physical actions (On Shoulders we

have his sign)

; in speech we are guided by HIM, in thought we are guided by HIM.

 

"Selfless service" to the Lord and his devotees is the main goal (with total

surrender)

 

Q. Why do we put Thiruman on the Lord: (Why put the feet of the Lord on the

Lord?)

 

Lord wears Thiruman as the indication of the ayudhas (weapons)

(some scholars say to protect devotees, and universe etc)

 

Also to identify with other devotees as you are one of us.

=========================================================

 

adiyEn prays to Lord SrImannarAyanA and Purvacharyas to help with the

spreading of srI Sampradaya all over the world, without any divisions

or quarrels between Y & U, without any concern about caste & race,

 

So all beings can enjoy the divine bliss of experiencing srIvaishnavism

and fulfil purpose of life.

 

We also pray for SadBuddhi so we all treat ALL devotees with utmost respect and

regard. (treat devotees as you would treat the Lord Incarnate.)

 

If anything is wrong in this mail it is adiyEn's fault in understanding our

Acharyas and their works.

 

azhwAr emberumAnAr JeeyAr thiruvadigalE saranam

 

adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan

Mukundan Vangkipuram Pattangi

http://www.radioramanuja.com