Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

Ÿrïraögam

Situated on an island in the Kauverï

river, near Tirucirapalli, it houses the

famous Raöganätha (Vi•æu) temple,

surrounded by seven concentric walled-

in enclaves, arguably the biggest temple

complex in India. It became famous as

the seat of the Ÿrïvai•æava äcäryas

(teachers), of whom RÄMÄNUJAis con-

sidered the greatest. He reordered tem-

ple worship and gave shape to the faith

of the Ÿrïvai•æava community. The

history of the temple has been recorded

in the Ÿrïraöga Mähätmyaand 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 neighbour-

ing 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 tradi-

tion, received its doctrinal and ritual

codification through the work of the

äcäryas of ŸRÏRA¢GAM: NÄfiHAMUNI;

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 Brahmasütracommentary, the

Ÿrïbhä•ya.While emphasizing the lord-

ship of Vi•æu and the principle of salva-

tion through Vi•æu’s grace alone, he

ascribed to Ÿrï the important role of

mediatrix. Ÿrï is the prototype of the

GURUwho 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 RASASof 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 DAŸANÄMIsamnyäsis. 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 residen-

tial school for instruction in Sanskrit

and traditional Hindu studies, especially

ADVAITAVEDÄNTA.

sø•flhi

SeeCREATION.

ÿruti

(‘what has been heard’, ‘revelation’)

The most sacred part of the scriptures of

Hinduism. All Hindus consider the

Veda (Sa™hitäs, Brähmaæas, Äraæyakas,

Upani•ads) as ÿruti. Depending on affil-

iation, Puräæas, Ÿaiva Ägamas,

Vai•æava Sa™hitäs and Tantras would

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