A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

Ÿrïraögam 176
Ÿrïraögam
Situated on an island in the Kauverï
river, near Tirucirapalli, it houses the
famous Raöganätha (Vi•æu) temple,
surrounded by seven concentric walledin
enclaves, arguably the biggest temple
complex in India. It became famous as
the seat of the Ÿrïvai•æava äcäryas
(teachers), of whom RÄMÄNUJA is considered
the greatest. He reordered temple
worship and gave shape to the faith
of the Ÿrïvai•æava community. The
history of the temple has been recorded
in the Ÿrïraöga Mähätmya and the Koil
Olugu, which traces its origins back to
the Saögam period (first century CE).
Rämänuja had to flee from Ÿrïraögam,
and spent twelve years in a neighbouring
country because of persecution of
Vai•æavas by the ruling Ÿaiva king.
Later the temple was attacked several
times and occupied by Muslim troops,
but left largely untouched. Today it is a
major place of pilgrimage and the centre
of the southern branch of ŸRIVAIÆŒAVISM.
Ÿrïvai•æavism
One of the four major Vai•æava
saƒpradäyas (sects), so called because
of the role that Ÿrï (Vi•æu’s consort,
LAKÆMÏ) plays in it. Ÿrïvai•æavism,
although representing an age-old tradition,
received its doctrinal and ritual
codification through the work of the
äcäryas of ŸRÏRA¢GAM: NÄfiHA MUNI;
YAMUNÄCÄRYA; and RÄMÄNUJA. Later
Ÿrïvai•æavism split into a northern
school (VA¥AGALAI) with its centre in
KÄÑCÏPURAM, and a southern school
(TE¢GALAI) with its centre in
ŸRÏRA¢GAM. The most renowned teacher
of the former was Pillai Lokäcärya
(1205–1311), of the latter Vedänta
Deÿika (1269–1370).
The universally acknowledged greatest
Ÿrïvai•æava theologian was Rämänuja,
through whom Ÿrïvai•æavism received
its own Brahmasütra commentary, the
Ÿrïbhä•ya. While emphasizing the lordship
of Vi•æu and the principle of salvation
through Vi•æu’s grace alone, he
ascribed to Ÿrï the important role of
mediatrix. Ÿrï is the prototype of the
GURU who leads forgetful souls back to
Vi•æu. She is also the embodiment of
grace and mercy whose endeavours win
the forgiveness of Vi•æu for the devotee.
Ÿrï-vatsa
A mark on Vi•æu’s or Kø•æa’s chest,
indicating the presence of ŸRÏ.
ÿøögära (‘erotic love’)
One of the RASAS of traditional Indian
aesthetics.
Ÿøögerï
A mountain retreat in Karæätaka. It was
named after Ø•yaÿønga, who according
to tradition had his abode there. It
became famous as the main centre of
Ÿaökara’s DAŸANÄMI samnyäsis. Since
the eighth century it has been occupied
by an uninterrupted succession of
Ÿaökaräcäryas, called jagad-gurus,
many of them of great fame, such as
SUREŸVARA, a direct disciple of ŸA¢KARA
(2), Vidyäÿaökara (13th century) and
MÄDHAVA (2). It contains, besides the
ashram, a temple dedicated to Ÿäradä,
the goddess of wisdom, and a residential
school for instruction in Sanskrit
and traditional Hindu studies, especially
ADVAITA VEDÄNTA.
sø•flhi
See CREATION.
ÿruti
(‘what has been heard’, ‘revelation’)
The most sacred part of the scriptures of
Hinduism. All Hindus consider the
Veda (Sahitäs, Brähmaæas, Äraæyakas,
Upani•ads) as ÿruti. Depending on affiliation,
Puräæas, Ÿaiva Ägamas,
Vai•æava Sahitäs and Tantras would