Sricharanam
Encyclopedia
Urdhva Pundra is the tilaka
used by followers of Sri Vaishnava. The figure drawn is representative of the feet of Narayana
with Lakshmi
in the middle. SrichurNam is the yellow/red line in the middle of the white namas(ThirumaN) that is adorned by members of the Sri Vaishnava tradition (includes Pancharatra,Vaikhanasa, Bhagavada Srivaishnavas). Parashara Smriti which gives a very detailed explanation on ThirumaN, SrichurNam, where to wear, when to wear, how to wear and what should be chanted while wearing the same.
The Sanskrit word Churnam means a powder(mixture). This particular Churnam, dark orange in color is made of special traditional biological components that are meant to have positive scientific and spiritual impact on the 'Agna chakra' (at the temple on the forehead). As it represents the goddess mahalakshmi(Sri) this Churnam is often called as Sri-Churnam. In order to understand its significance one must understand the overall facts behind ThirumaN "the holy clay". Besides being a paraphernalia or an identification, The ThirumaN (the white marks) SrichurNam has high impact on improving ones spiritual prowess.
) he follows. Looking at the Thiruman SrichurNam, it is even possible to identify the Iyengar subsect to which the wearer belongs.
picture, is more commonly used by Iyengars in material life. It consists of a single, thin, vertical red or yellow line in the middle of the forehead. Though this is forbidden by smritis that one should not wear SrichurNam devoid of ThirumaN it has come to a common practice by which people wear only SrichurNam due to convenience.
The word SrichurNam is always referred with the ThirumaN and is called as ThirumaN SrichurNam (or Oordhva puNdram) includes a wide set of parallel lines. Thiruman literally means 'holy clay'. It is worn on all occasions by ardent Sri Vaishnavas. The wideness and the shape of the naamam distinguishes Iyengars from north Indian Vaishnavites.
Priests traditionally wear the ThirumaN SrichurNam on 12 places of their body (dvAdasa pundram). See: Samashrayanam.
refers to Lakshmi
, while churaNam literally means powder. Traditionally, ThirumaN represents the feet of Lord Vishnu and the SrichurNam, the red/ yellow line in the middle represents Lakshmi
. Particularly for the followers of Sri Sampradayam Srivaishnavas, the Lord Sriman Narayana (Vishnu) is always seen inseparable from His divine consort Sri Mahalakshmi and hence the marks on the forehead will always represent the Lord's lotus feet(ThirumaN) and His divine consort (SrichurNam) in the middle at His service.
and Vadakalai
wear the Thiruman SrichurNam in slightly different ways. The Thiruman in the case of the Thenkalai extends to the bridge of the nose, forming a Y shape.
Tilaka
200px|thumb|right|Indian woman with tilaka and [[Bindi |bindi]]In Hinduism, the tilaka or tika or tilak is a mark worn on the forehead and other parts of the body...
used by followers of Sri Vaishnava. The figure drawn is representative of the feet of Narayana
Narayana
Narayana or Narayan or Naraina is an important Sanskrit name for Vishnu, and in many contemporary vernaculars a common Indian name. Narayana is also identified as the original man, Purusha. The Puranas present divergent views on Narayana...
with Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
in the middle. SrichurNam is the yellow/red line in the middle of the white namas(ThirumaN) that is adorned by members of the Sri Vaishnava tradition (includes Pancharatra,Vaikhanasa, Bhagavada Srivaishnavas). Parashara Smriti which gives a very detailed explanation on ThirumaN, SrichurNam, where to wear, when to wear, how to wear and what should be chanted while wearing the same.
The Sanskrit word Churnam means a powder(mixture). This particular Churnam, dark orange in color is made of special traditional biological components that are meant to have positive scientific and spiritual impact on the 'Agna chakra' (at the temple on the forehead). As it represents the goddess mahalakshmi(Sri) this Churnam is often called as Sri-Churnam. In order to understand its significance one must understand the overall facts behind ThirumaN "the holy clay". Besides being a paraphernalia or an identification, The ThirumaN (the white marks) SrichurNam has high impact on improving ones spiritual prowess.
Significance
The SrichurNam, which traditionally signified the wearer's devotion to Vishnu, is also an important identifying mark. Iyengars are a caste of Tamil Brahmins who are over 600000 in number. Worn by a priest, ascetic, or worshiper it shows the Hindu tradition (sampradayaSampradaya
In Hinduism, a sampradaya can be translated as ‘tradition’ or a ‘religious system’, although the word commands much more respect and power in the Indian context than its translations in English does...
) he follows. Looking at the Thiruman SrichurNam, it is even possible to identify the Iyengar subsect to which the wearer belongs.
The abbreviated and the full form of ThirumaN
The abbreviated ThirumaN, shown in the B.K.S. IyengarB.K.S. Iyengar
Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar , is the founder of Iyengar Yoga, although he himself would not call it Iyengar Yoga. He is considered one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world and has been practising and teaching yoga for more than 75 years...
picture, is more commonly used by Iyengars in material life. It consists of a single, thin, vertical red or yellow line in the middle of the forehead. Though this is forbidden by smritis that one should not wear SrichurNam devoid of ThirumaN it has come to a common practice by which people wear only SrichurNam due to convenience.
The word SrichurNam is always referred with the ThirumaN and is called as ThirumaN SrichurNam (or Oordhva puNdram) includes a wide set of parallel lines. Thiruman literally means 'holy clay'. It is worn on all occasions by ardent Sri Vaishnavas. The wideness and the shape of the naamam distinguishes Iyengars from north Indian Vaishnavites.
Priests traditionally wear the ThirumaN SrichurNam on 12 places of their body (dvAdasa pundram). See: Samashrayanam.
Etymology and meaning
The etymology of SrichurNam is as follows: SriSri
Sri , also transliterated as Shri or Shree or shre is a word of Sanskrit origin, used in the Indian subcontinent as polite form of address equivalent to the English "Mr." in written and spoken language, or as a title of veneration for deities .-Etymology:Sri has the root meaning of radiance, or...
refers to Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
, while churaNam literally means powder. Traditionally, ThirumaN represents the feet of Lord Vishnu and the SrichurNam, the red/ yellow line in the middle represents Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
. Particularly for the followers of Sri Sampradayam Srivaishnavas, the Lord Sriman Narayana (Vishnu) is always seen inseparable from His divine consort Sri Mahalakshmi and hence the marks on the forehead will always represent the Lord's lotus feet(ThirumaN) and His divine consort (SrichurNam) in the middle at His service.
Composition
The red naamam is made of a special traditional biological mixture. The Yellow naamam is worn using sandal wood paste, or using turmeric (Sandal is forbidden from use for bachelors in Vedic tradition).Types
The two Iyengar subsects, ThenkalaiThenkalai
Thenkalai are a subsect of the Vaishnavite Iyengar community of Hindu Brahmins. Thenkalais are followers of Ramanuja, Pillai Lokacharya and Manavala Mamuni.-Differences with Vadakalai Srivaishnavas:...
and Vadakalai
Vadakalai
Vadakalai , meaning Northern branch are a subsect of the Vaishnavite Iyengar community of Hindu Brahmins. In Sanskrit the Vadakalai are referred to as Uttara Kalārya . Vadakalais are followers of Ramanuja and Vedanta Desika....
wear the Thiruman SrichurNam in slightly different ways. The Thiruman in the case of the Thenkalai extends to the bridge of the nose, forming a Y shape.