The Darog Journal - Compute Through

Sricharanam is the name given to the namam used by Iyengars (caste name given to Hindu/Tamil Brahmins who follow Visistadvaita philosophy propounded by Sri Ramanujacharya), members of Sri Vaishnava tradition. Sri could be a prefix or it could refer to Lakshmi, while Charanam refers to feet. Sricharanam consists of single, thin, vertical red or yellow line in the middle of the forehead. The full Sricharanam, also called Thiruman Sricharanam includes a white U mark. Sricharanam represents the feet of Vishnu and the red/yellow line in the middle represents Lakshmi. The Sricharanam signifies devotion to Vishnu. The red namam is made out of Sindoor, red powder. Yellow namam is Sandal wood (Chandan) paste. Thiruman is made out of clay. The two iyengar sub-sects, Thengalai and Vadagalai wear the Thiruman Sricharanam in different ways. Thiruman in the case of Thengalai extends to the bridge of the nose, forming a Y shape.  Vadagalai wear the U namam.

Hayagriva in Hinduism is considered to be an incarnation of Vishnu. Haya means Horse and Griva means Neck. The horse faced form of Vishnu is the god of Gnana (knowledge) and Prosperity. One who prays Hayagriva will be blessed with knowledge and wisdom. Legend has it that during the creation, the demons Madhu and Kaitabha stole the Vedas from Brahma and Vishnu took the Hayagriva form to recover the Vedas from the demons. Another legend says, Vishnu compiled the Vedas in the Hayagriva form and that the Hayagriva Avatara precedes the Matsya Avatara wherein he recovered the stolen Vedas from the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. There are believed to be 108 forms of Hayagriva. Hayagriva is the presiding deity of Parakala Mutt, Ahobila Mutt and Andavan Ashram. The very first stothram on Lakshmi Hayagriva is ==> Gnanananda Mayam Devam Nirmala Spatikakruthim Aadharam Sarvavidyanam Hayagrivam upasmahe. Hayagriva is worshipped in Tibet by those who own horses, because he is believed to fright...