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Re: [sv-rituals] Thiruman

From the Bhakti List Archives

Mohan Sagar • August 5, 2002 


Dear Devotee,

Much of what is presented below is from memory of a discussion that I
had with Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamy several years ago.  So, please forgive
me for my inability to provide you with the complete details.

All srIchUrnam, irrespective of color, is carefully prepared with
turmeric to the recitation of appropriate mantras.  What makes the
reddish color is the addition of lime during the preparation.

The choice of using either yellow or red is mainly that of the Vadagalai
community, and it has been  the commonly held belief - although not a
proven one -  that the more orthodox families prefer the yellow color
over the red.  The thennAchAryans use red exclusively.

The reason for the difference is based upon various interpretations of
the sAstra. As you may know, the srichUrnam represents Sri, the Divine
Mother Mahalakshmi.  In the Sri Suktam, She is described as being the
color of gold, which would justify the use of yellow.  However, it is
noted that the gold to which She is likened is molten gold, which if
seen when first removed from an oven or fire, is ochre in color.

A stronger but just as debatable explanation for the difference is that
turmeric is a natural product of nature, and as such contains certain
gunas.  Portions of sAstra suggest that in order to get rid of the
impurities, it must be first processed with lime.  But, given that
turmeric is a purifier of most things in general, it could also be
argued that it is pure just as it is.

As you can see, there really is no one conclusion that one can draw from
this.  And, in reality the point is moot since in both cases, the
srIchUrnam is seen to be the presence of Lakshmi only.  So, it is best
to simply follow the family traditions, and wear what your forefathers
have practiced.

I hope this helps.

adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan
Mohan







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