Welcome to Adiyen Sri Ramanuja Dasan !
" Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha !"
On the Sampradhayam (tradion) side, there are number of mantras to create the paste of clay with water in one"s palm.Nrsimha Beejam is to be drawn at the center after completing the preparation of the paste.The Veda Mantras used in the preparatory rituals are 7 in number. Panchopanishad Mantra, Ashtaaksharam, Vishnu Shadakshara Mantram, Dwaadasaaksharam, Dwayam (Mantra ratnam), Vishnu Gayatri are to be included in the appropriate phases of the Pundram wearing ceremony. In between the 12 Names of the Lord to be recited at the time of the decoration of the individual parts of the body, the 12 names of Sri Devi are to be added.They are: Sriyayai nama:., Amrutothbhavaayayai Nama:, Kamalaayayai Nama:,Chandra Sodharyayai nama:, Vishnupatnyayai nama:, Vaishnavyayai nama:, Varaarohayayai nama:,Harivallabhyayai Nama: , Saarnginyayai nama:, Devadevikaayayai nama:, Surasundaryayai nama:. Maha Lakshmyayai Nama:, Sarvaabhishtapalapradhaayayai nama:. Guru vandanaams are also involved.
Shastras stress the importance of adorning our foreheads with Oordhva pundram or Tiruman or namam. The two upward lines of Tiruman, accompanied by the SriChoornam(red or yellow or orange) in the centre, are what every Srivaishnava is supposed to wear on his forehead always. Such oordhvapundram is to be worn not only on the forehead, but at eleven other places on the body too, making a round dozen. The very picture of a Srivaishnava with dvAdasa (twelve) oordhvapundrams adorning his body evokes in us veneration and devotion. Though it is ordained upon every vaishnavite to wear these every day, it has now become the practice to follow this injunction only on special days like marriage, upanayanam, seemantham, shrAddham etc.
While this was the position a few years back, the current scenario has deteriorated so much that even a single tirumaN is worn only on these special days. "KEsavam DAmOdaram cha sarvadA na parityajEt" says the Smriti, underlining the importance of never being without Tiruman, at least those worn on the forehead and the nape of the neck. Wearing Tiruman is currently viewed as old hat and unfashionable. And if one does wear it with courage, it attracts derogatory remarks or, at the least, derisive glances from the idle and unholy.
Fearing the prospect of being an object of derision and adverse comment, most of us have stopped wearing Tiruman altogether, while some do it on special days. Yet others, even if bold enough to wear it every day after bath, religiously rub it off before setting foot outside, afraid of others witnessing us in such a state. Worse than all these, some of us even make fun of those with conviction enough to follow the practice, oblivious to criticism and comment. Talcum powder, perfumes and other cosmetics are applied with verve and vigour, but alas! not Tiruman. There are yet others who make a compromise between abandoning the practice altogether and keeping vestiges of it alive, and wear just Srichoornam alone, as a concession to nagging elders. Some others, after putting on Tiruman, feel something lacking and apply a dash of ash horizontally, displaying proudly their non-denominational credentials and broad perspective.
Jai Srimannaryana !
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