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SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00090 Jun 2008

 
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Smt. Sridevi,

The shatAri or shatakOpam, as it is more formally known, is a tiny crown that represents the Feet of the Supreme Being.  It is placed on our head to remind us that all of us are under His Care, irrespective of race, caste, creed, or gender. 

The word ShatakOpam is a Sanskrit word that describes how this crown removes or strikes fear in the wind of ahankAram, which is said to enter a body with our first breath.  In Tamizh, the equivalent is SadagOpan, which is another name for NammAzhwAr.  Azhwar's humble service of bringing the message that there is only One Supreme Being and that we are all under His Care acts to remove the ahankAram, the id, in us.  So, the ShatAri is formally  called SadagOpan in homage to this great soul.

As to the definition of Sri Vaishnavam, this Sanskrit term did not come into vogue until long after the time of our pUrvacharyas, so to really understand its origins we must go back to our roots in Tamizh.

The term for the Supreme Being that is frequently used by the AzhwArs is mAL - indicating that Being who is entranced with love for His Own Creation to the point that His Presence is everywhere.  Since such a Love has no cause and is not motivated by any desire other than Love itself, it is complete in and of itself.  Completeness or pureness is signified in Tamizh by the word Thiru, which also implies Sri, His Kripai.

So, going back to Sanskrit the belief in a Supreme Being who pervades everything and everywhere (vishwam), motivated solely by His mercy, Kripai, or Sri, is Sri Vaishnavam.

IrAmAnusa adiyEn

Mohan

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