[ramanuja] Urdhav-pundra (thiruman kappu)

[Pattangi <danp@xxxxxxx>]

sri:

Post on Thiruman Kappu - Resending from 2000 archives.

=====Original Note by adiyen: Yr 2000=======
Humble pranams to all devotees:

Vaishnavas (Worshippers of Vishu as the Supreme) wear on 
their bodies the LORD's external symbols.

There are several groups of Vaishnavas,
Sree Vaishnava, Chaitanya, Vallabha, ISKON Vaishnavas.

SreeVaishnavas have their faith in SreemanNarayana 
(MahaVishnu & MahaLakshmi), and resort to Bhakti & Prapatti.
They 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, 
however they do not 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" 

(BUT NEVER TO LOOK LIKE V, V shape does not have much support, as per shastras)

"Minor" Vedantic differences existed between scholars, subsequent to 
the age of Purvacharyas, which formed into Vatakalai & Thenkalai 
groups. (about 300 years ago)

Both groups wear the "Lords feet" of different forms 
U & Y, but they both will quote the same Pancaratra samhita sloka as authority.

Y & U both denote the lord's feet. 
(The Bhava of adorning is Dasatvam, Sheshatvsam)

Y specifically denotes both the feet of the lord 
(Charanao, is Dwithia vibhakti)
We always say "Charanao Saranam Prapadye".

VedanataDesikan 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.

If there had been any controversy over this at that time, swami VedanataDesikan
would have mentioned the controversy and the reslotion in his work.
For Swami Desika Sampradaya followers:
He exaplins that the space between Srichurnam and ThirumaN, should be a
few fingers thick (at all places). Hence the V shape is not sanctioned here.

There are scholars who have their (shastra based) reasons for why
U stands only for one foot of the Lord. There are scholars who read
the "HARIPADAKRITI" as one foot and not two feet (as it could mean both)

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 Shastras.
No difference or quarrel should arise on the shape of Feet of the Lord.

The most important thing is why we wear it and the Bhava we need to have.
==========================================================================

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 group feels technical interpretation is more appropriate

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 nose from the tip : Madhvasti
Over the Mashvasti, The Hard Part : Nasikamula (or Nasamula)

The Y shape comes as in this interpretation
the Mark should commence from the "Hard part" of the nose.
=================================================================

=> Vikhanasa muni Sishyas:- (Wearing Y Shape) in most Indian Temples.
                   Some Vaikhanasas also wear U shaped Thiruman.

I have heard some Vaikhanasa periyavas say (The Thiruvallikeni, Srivilliputtur 
Priests,
and Vaikhanasa Scholars)
Swamigals had 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. So they have a stand shaped like KAMALAM.

PS: In Adiyen's family (VP) and many other Acharya Purusha families, 
the padam denotes the Acharyan. (The current acharyan when he does
the intiation tells us he is doing this as a representative 
of Swami Ramanuja)
(For all of us After Swami Ramanuja, this padam Denotes Swami Ramanuja
For those before Swami Ramanuja, it denoted their respective achryans)

=> 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 ISCON Acharyas for the reasons for the Y shape on their
forehead.
All they said was it is per their 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 position
of Lakshmi is marked red. 
Hence many acharyas and their devotees have adopted the red color for 
sri-churna.

Many Vadakalai devotees use the Yellow color and they also have relevant
authorities that they quote from. 
                Hiranya Varnam .....(Golden color) (Sri-Suktam first line)
===================================================================

Follow up quesiotns that will come up:

Q. Why we wear Thiruman at all: 
================================
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. ?
========================
A. To make our body a temple for Sre:manna:ra:yana: (Sre: & 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.
and perform "Selfless service" to the Lord and his devotees.

Q. Why do we put Thiruman on the Lord: 
(Why put the feet of the Lord on the Lord?)
=====================================================
A.  Lord wears Thiruman as the indication of the ayudhas (weapons)
(some say to protect devotees, and universe)

Also to identify with other devotees, to show HE is one of us.
And lead by example.
=========================================================

Prayer 1:

adiyEn prays to Lord Srimannarayana and Purvacharyas to help with the
spreading of Sree Sampradaya all over the world, without any divisions
between Y & U, without any concern about caste & race.

Prayer 2:
We also pray for SadBuddhi so we all treat all devotees with utmost respect and
regard.
(and treat them as you would treat the Lord Incarnate.)

If we treat all devotees of the lord with utmost respect and regard, 
we will see our beautiful Sampradaya spread all over the world, 
we will see our Mayors, Presidents and general public all over taking 
to this beautiful and logical sampradaya.

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 Vankipuram Pattangi
<http://www.radioramanuja.com>http://www.radioramanuja.com

======Sri Mohan Sagar's note in 2000 ===========
Respected bhAgavathas,

Here are a few additional thoughts, based on what I have learned, to add to Sri
Mukundan Pattangi's lucid and insightful posting on thiruman:

The goal of a SriVaishnavan is to awaken to the joyous realization that he/she
is the simple servant of the Supreme Lord, Sriman Narayana. Such a realization
is life changing, effecting every level of our
being, taking us to a level where in body, mind and spirit we become humble
receptacles to His Divine Grace and simple instruments to His Good Efforts. 

We want such a realization to be experienced in everything we do, say or feel. 
Both the desire for this experience and the experience itself is outwardly
expressed to ourselves and others through the wearing of thiruman and
sri:chu:rnam in the 12 major energy nodes of our body.

Two fundamental qualities must be cultivated in a devotee seeking to come to the
Divine awakening described above. 
One is Peace and the other is Divine Love. 

Peace is only known at the twin Lotus Feet of of Sriman Narayana. 
These are our only refuge and our True Home. So, these are placed on ourselves 
as
twin vertical white lines. Divine Love can be known only by becoming constantly
aware of the Lord's Mercy and Compassion, which reside with Him as 
His Eternal Consort, Sri, the Divine Mother. 

Her presence is seen in the red/yellow marking that is known 
as the sri:chu:rnam. We could stop here, but, in order for
both of these to be known and experienced correctly, 
a proper foundation is required. 
Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja becomes this foundation through our 
Acha:rya paramparai, and this is seen as the connector, the
base, if you will, on which the three vertical lines rest. 

This base is represented by either the semi-circular shape 
or the ""lous flower"" shape that is placed just under the
eye-brows.

To me, what is important is not whether the thiruman is shaped U or Y, 
but rather the philosophical attitude that one must cultivate when 
one is wearing them. We must recognize and treasure the that our
very ability to wear thiruman is the kind gift of our Acharya, 
who provides with us this great honor during our sama:sra:yanam. 

We must see the thiruman as a holy sacrament, a ritual that invokes in us the
the mood of being simple instruments in the Lord's Loving Hands through the
mercy of the Acharya paramaparai that finds its foundation and highest 
ideal in Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja.

It is sad and ironic that the very symbol that was intended to 
cultivate and express this highest level of Divine Love and Peace, 
this gift of our Acharyas, would create such strife in our community. 

I join in Sri Mukundan's prayers for a better understanding that will help 
us to work together harmoniously in preserving and sharing the wonders 
of our Ramanuja Darshanam.
====================================================================






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Azhvar EmberumAnAr JeeyAr ThiruvadigalE Saranam 
http://www.vedics.net

 
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