Perumal: The Protector and Preserver
Introduction
Perumal, or Lord Vishnu, is one of the main deities in Hinduism and is worshipped as the preserver of the world. Symbolizing the concept of sustenance, Perumal maintains harmony and equilibrium in the world by upholding dharma (righteousness) and vanquishing adharma (unrighteousness). His avatars, Rama and Krishna, symbolize divine virtues and act as exemplary models for mankind.
The Symbolism of Perumal
Perumal is usually seen in a magnificent four-armed form, and he carries the chakra (disc), shankha (conch), gada (mace), and padma (lotus):
- Chakra: Symbolizes time and the ability to annihilate evil.
- Shankha: Represents the sound of creation and universal energy.
- Gada: Symbolizes power and protection of the righteous.
- Padma: Symbolizes purity, prosperity, and divine favor.
Celebrious Perumal Temples
Perumal temples have a reputation of being grandiose, having spiritual importance, and being feats of architectural skills. Some famous ones are mentioned below:
Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Commonly referred to as the Tirupati Balaji Temple, this is one among the richest temples and most religious places in the world. Devotees converge here to visit Lord Venkateswara and seek His blessings.
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, Tamil Nadu
Situated on an island within the Kaveri River, this temple is the largest functional Hindu temple complex in the world. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Vaishnavites.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Famous for its extravagance and mystique, this temple houses Lord Padmanabha and is a treasure house of immense historical and religious value.
Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand
Badrinath is situated in the Himalayas and is one of the Char Dhams as well as an important pilgrimage point.
Slogans and Mantras of Perumal
The slogans and chants of Perumal all focus on his divine wisdom, protection, and grace. A few of the most popular among them are:
- Om Namo Narayanaya: A holy mantra calling for the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
- Govinda Govinda! A strong devotional chant, found widely among Tirupati Balaji followers.
- Narayana Narayana! A chant that joyfully commemorates the omnipresent nature of Perumal.
- Vishnu Sahasranamam: Chanting the 1,000 names of Vishnu is a sacred tradition.
- Om Vasudevaya Vidmahe, Vasudevaya Dheemahi, Tanno Vishnu Prachodayat: A Gayatri mantra sung in praise of Vishnu.
Celebrations and Festivals
Perumal festivals are magnificent and replete with devotion, music, and rituals. Some of the notable ones are:
- Vaikunta Ekadashi: Celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi, it is said that the gates of Vaikunta (heaven) are open on this day.
- Sri Krishna Janmashtami: Commemorates the birth of Krishna with enthusiasm and cultural activities like dahi handi and bhajans.
- Rama Navami: Celebrates the birthday of Lord Rama, with reading of the Ramayana and special pujas.
The Perumal Worship Essence
Perumal worship is not a ritual but a path to self-realization and divine grace. He instills the need for righteousness, kindness, and upholding balance in life. His presence, either in majestic temples or in the hearts of the faithful, inspires faith and devotion generation after generation.
Perumal potri
- Om Hari Hari Pōtri
- Om Srīhari Pōtri
- Om Nara Hari Pōtri
- Om Mura Hari Pōtri
- Om Krishnā Hari Pōtri
- Om Ambujāṣā Pōtri
- Om Acchuthā Pōtri
- Om Ucchithā Pōtri
- Om Pañcāyudhā Pōtri
- Om Pāṇḍavarkaḷ Thūdā Pōtri
- Om Lakṣmi Sameṭā Pōtri
- Om Līlā Vinōdhā Pōtri
- Om Kamala Pāthā Pōtri
- Om Ādhi Madhyāntara Gathithā Pōtri
- Om Anātha Rakṣakā Pōtri
- Om Akilāṇṭa Kōṭi Pōtri
- Om Paramānandā Pōtri
- Om Mukundā Pōtri
- Om Vaikuṇṭhā Pōtri
- Om Gōvindā Pōtri
- Om Pachchai Vaṇṇā Pōtri
- Om Kāra Vaṇṇā Pōtri
- Om Paṇṇakasayanā Pōtri
- Om Kamala Kaṇṇā Pōtri
- Om Janārthanā Pōtri
- Om Karuṭavākanā Pōtri
- Om Rākṣasa Marthānā Pōtri
- Om Kāḷiṅga Narthānā Pōtri
- Om Cēṣaśayanā Pōtri
- Om Nārāyaṇā Pōtri
- Om Brahma Pārāyaṇā Pōtri
- Om Vāmānā Pōtri
- Om Nanda Nandanā Pōtri
- Om Madhusūdhanā Pōtri
- Om Paripūrṇā Pōtri
- Om Sarva Kāraṇā Pōtri
- Om Vēṅkaṭa Ramaṇā Pōtri
- Om Saṅkaṭa Haraṇā Pōtri
- Om Srīdhara Pōtri
- Om Tulasīdhara Pōtri
- Om Thāmōdhara Pōtri
- Om Pīṭāmbarā Pōtri
- Om Pālapathrā Pōtri
- Om Paramadhyā Parā Pōtri
- Om Sīthā Manōkarā Pōtri
- Om Maccha Kūrma Avathārā Pōtri
- Om Paramēśwarā Pōtri
- Om Cangu Cakkarā Pōtri
- Om Sarvēśwarā Pōtri
- Om Karuṇākārā Pōtri
- Om Rādhā Manōkarā Pōtri
- Om Srīraṅgā Pōtri
- Om Hariraṅgā Pōtri
- Om Pāṇḍuraṅgā Pōtri
- Om Lōkānāyakā Pōtri
- Om Padhmānābā Pōtri
- Om Divya Sorūpā Pōtri
- Om Puṇya Purushā Pōtri
- Om Purushāttamā Pōtri
- Om Srī Rāmā Pōtri
- Om Harirāmā Pōtri
- Om Palarāmā Pōtri
- Om Paranthāmā Pōtri
- Om Narasimhā Pōtri
- Om Thirivikrāmā Pōtri
- Om Parasurāmā Pōtri
- Om Cakrasrīnāmā Pōtri
- Om Bhakthavatsalā Pōtri
- Om Paramadhyālā Pōtri
- Om Dēvānukūlā Pōtri
- Om Ādhimōlā Pōtri
- Om Srī Lōlā Pōtri
- Om Vēṇugōpālā Pōtri
- Om Mādhavā Pōtri
- Om Yādavā Pōtri
- Om Rāghavā Pōtri
- Om Kēśavā Pōtri
- Om Vāsudēvā Pōtri
- Om Dēvadhēvā Pōtri
- Om Ādhidhēvā Pōtri
- Om Āpath Pāndhavā Pōtri
- Om Mahānubhāvā Pōtri
- Om Vasudēva Thanayā Pōtri
- Om Daśaratha Thanayā Pōtri
- Om Māyāvilāsā Pōtri
- Om Vaikuṇṭavāsā Pōtri
- Om Suvaimprakāsā Pōtri
- Om Vēṅkaṭēśā Pōtri
- Om Hṛṣīkēśā Pōtri
- Om Siddhi Vilāsā Pōtri
- Om Gajapathī Pōtri
- Om Raghupathī Pōtri
- Om Sīthāpathī Pōtri
- Om Vēṅkaṭācalapathī Pōtri
- Om Āyāmāyā Pōtri
- Om Veṇṇeyuṇṭa Nēyā Pōtri
- Om Aṇṭaṟkaḷēththum Thūyā Pōtri
- Om Ulagamuṇṭavāyā Pōtri
- Om Nāṉā Upāyā Pōtri
- Om Bhaktharkaḷa Sakāyā Pōtri
- Om Sathurpujā Pōtri
- Om Karuṭaththuvajā Pōtri
- Om Gōṭaṇḍa Hastā Pōtri
- Om Puṇḍarīka Varadhā Pōtri
- Om Vishṇu Pōtri
- Om Bhagavāṉē Pōtri
- Om Namō Nārāyaṇā Pōtri! Pōtri!!