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Friday, October 7, 2011

urdhvapundram-religion

Kasturi Thilakam Lalata Palake..... '
Lord Krishna has musk tilak on the forehead.

A) Thiruman or Urdhva Pundram:

1) Thiruman as Kavacham:

The Vaishnavite Paribhasha (colloquial) for wearing Thiruman (Auspicious Clay) is Thiruman Kappu Saatal. The key word here seems to be Kaapu or Protection. That protection is achieved thru the Lord's weapons celebrated in Panchaayudha Sthotram. It is like Dig Bhandhanam before Mantra recitation, the request for protection of the limbs of body and protection from above, behind, sides etc.

Thiruman Kappu can be seen as a Kavacham. This confers protection to Vaishanavaas by wearing and thus invoking the weapons of the power of the Lord. This kavacham gives protection from the three kinds of afflictions of life (Kama, Krodha and Mathamacharyam).

2) Scripts on Thiruman placement:

Urdhva Pundram is associated with Urdhva Rethas celebrated in the Vedic Passage, Purushasuktam, Verse 13:
"Urdhva Retham virupaksham Viswaroopaya Namah"

Urdhva Pundaram is also symbolic of Sattvika Guna by Lord Krishna In Bhagavat Gita, 14.18:
" Urdhvam Gacchanti Sattvastha'.
urdhvam--upwards; gacchanti--go; sattva-sthah--one who is situated in the mode of goodness

Swami Desilkan elaborated on this in ‘Saccharitra Raksha’ and in ‘Panniru Thirunaamam’

Vishnu Dharmotram, Paarameshtya Samhita and Brahmaraatra Samhita give detailed procedure for wearing Thiruman. Index finger or ring finger is to be used. Middle finger should not be used.

The Thiruman wearing is two white lines and the red or yellow line at the centre, housing the Divine couple, who are never separated. The two white lines are like temple for them. Lord Himself says that he and His consort love to reside in the temple created by the two broad white lines of Thiruman. Narrow crowding of the two lines is not desirable.

3) Procedure:

There are number of mantras to create the paste of clay with water in one’s palm. Nrusimha Beejam is to be drawn at the center after completing the preparation of the paste. The Veda Mantras for the preparatory rituals are seven in number. Panchopanishad Mantra, Ashtaaksharam, Vishnu Shadakshara Mantram, Dwaadasaaksharam, Dwayam (Mantra ratnam), Vishnu Gayatri are to be included in the appropriate phases of the Pundram wearing ceremony. In between the twelve Names of the Lord Mahavishnu (Kesavaya Namah , Narayanaya Namah, Madhavaya Namah ......) are to be recited at the time of the decoration of the individual parts of the body.

The twelve names of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi are to be recited during Srisurnam placing.

They are: Sriyayai namah, Amrutothbhavaayayai Namah, Kamalaayayai Namah,Chandra Sodharyayai namah, Vishnupatnyayai namah, Vaishnavyayai namah, Varaarohayayai namah,Harivallabhyayai Namah , Saarnginyayai namah, Devadevikaayayai namah, Surasundaryayai namah. Maha Lakshmyayai Namah, Sarvaabhishtapalapradhaayayai namah.

Guru vandanaams are also included then.

4) Reference book, Personal Collection:

"Sri Vaishanava Sadaachara Nirnayam" by Vidwan Villivalam Krishnamacharya, present 44Th Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt, Pages 158 to 180, Year of publication1990 , Total Pages 946.



courtesy;sri cs rajagopalan

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