Sricharanam

Sricharanam is the name given to the naamam used by Iyengars [ [http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/people/iyengars/4172.htm Photos of Iyengars, From Kamat's Potpourri] ] and Vaikhanasa Brahmins. More generally, it is worn by members of the Sri Vaishnava tradition.

ignificance

The Sricharanam, which traditionally signified the wearer's devotion to Vishnu, is also an important identifying mark. [ [http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-621641/Vaishnavism britannica.com - Vaishnavism] ] 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 ("sampradaya") he follows. Looking at the Thiruman Sricharanam, it is even possible to identify the Iyengar subsect to which the wearer belongs.

The abbreviated and the full form

The abbreviated Sricharam, shown in the B.K.S. Iyengar picture, is more commonly used by Iyengars in daily life. It consists of a single, thin, vertical red or yellow line in the middle of the forehead.

The full Sricharanam, also called ThirumaN Sricharanam (or Oordhva puNdram) includes a wide white U mark. Thiruman literally means 'holy clay'. It is generally worn on special occasions. The wideness and the shape of the naamam distinguishes Iyengars from north Indian Vaishnavites.

Priests traditionally wear the Thiruman Sricharanam on 12 places of their body. See: Samashrayanam. In the film Dashavataram, Kamal Hassan portraying a Thenkalai Iyengar Priest, sports the Thiruman Sricharanam on various places on his body.

Etymology and meaning

The etymology of Sricharanam is as follows: Sri could be a honorific prefix or it could refer to Lakshmi, while Charanam literally means feet. Traditionally, Sricharanam represents the feet of Vishnu and the red/ yellow line in the middle represents Lakshmi. [ [http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/encyclopedia/general.htm#17 Vedic Encyclopedia - see Tilak section] ]

Composition

The red naamam is made of Sindoor. The Yellow naamam is worn using sandal wood paste, or less commonly using turmeric. The White part of the Sricharanam, called Thiruman, is made out of clay.

Types

The two Iyengar subsects, Thenkalai and Vadakalai wear the Thiruman Sricharanam in slightly different ways. The Thiruman in the case of the Thenkalai extends to the bridge of the nose, forming a Y shape.

Notes

References

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ee also

*Tilak (Vaishnava)
* Tilaka
* Vibhuti