Part 4: The Divine Couple & The Temple Forms (Names 607–696) 💕
1. Sri-Pati: The Lord in Union with Goddess Mahalakshmi (607–629) 👑
Focus: The Lord's sovereign power, beauty, and compassion are derived from his eternal association with Goddess Lakshmi.
| No. | Name | Meaning (Parashara Bhatta) | Context/Anecdote from Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 607 | Shivaha | The Auspicious. | He brings good to everyone, whether they desire material pleasure (Bhubhukshu) or liberation (Mumukshu). |
| 608 | Shrivatsa Vakshaha | He with the Shrivatsa Mark. | He has a mole on his chest called Shrivatsa. It has a reddish tinge because Mahalakshmi keeps her feet there, treating it as her seat. |
| 609 | Shrivasaha | The Abode of Shri. | The Lord himself is the garden (Udyanam) where Lakshmi goes for her morning and evening walks. |
| 610 | Shripatihi | The Husband of Shri. | He was chosen by Lakshmi in her Swayamvara when she emerged from the churning ocean. |
| 611 | Shrimatam Varaha | Best among the Glorious. | While Lakshmi graces Brahma and Indra, she herself is graced by the Lord. He is the Lord of the Goddess who graces others. |
| 612 | Sridaha | Giver of Happiness. | He grants the "wealth" of mutual love to couples, just as he and Lakshmi relish each other every second. |
| 613 | Shrishaha | Lord of Shri. | He is Ishwara and she is Ishwari; there is no conflict between them. He implements whatever she thinks. |
| 614 | Srinivasaha | Abode of Shri. | Lakshmi is like a creeper (Kalpavalli) that intertwines around the sandalwood tree (Harichandana) that is the Lord. |
| 615 | Shri Nidhihi | The Treasure of Shri. | He is the box/container that holds the priceless gem called Mahalakshmi. |
| 616 | Shri Vibhavanaha | He who owes his fame to Shri. | He acquires fame because of her. Anecdote: Maricha feared Rama not just for his valor, but because he was the husband of Sita (Shri). |
| 617 | Shridharaha | Bearer of Shri. | She is inseparable from him, like radiance is from a gem, fragrance from a flower, or moonlight from the moon. |
| 618 | Shri Karaha | He who makes Shri take forms. | When he takes an Avatar, she takes a suitable form (Rama-Sita, Krishna-Rukmini). |
| 619 | Shreyah Shriman | Possessor of Auspicious Shri. | He grants fruits (Phalam) to devotees only because she is present with him. |
| 620 | Lokatrayashrayah | Refuge of the Three Worlds. | The Divine Couple are the parents of the world. Even if children disagree, the parents protect them. |
| 621 | Swakshah | Beautiful-Eyed. | His eyes are filled with love witnessing Lakshmi's beauty. |
| 622 | Swangaha | Beautiful-Limbed. | He possesses the divine body that She desires. He perfectly fits her image of an ideal husband. |
| 623 | Shatanandaha | Of Infinite Bliss. | The couple engages in a "love battle" to prove who loves the other more, generating infinite bliss. |
| 624 | Nandi | The Inseparable. | Anecdote: Even as Vamana (a bachelor), he hid Lakshmi in his chest covered by a deer skin because they cannot be separated. |
| 625 | Jyotir Ganeshwarah | Lord of the Lustrous Hosts. | He is the Lord of the Nityasuris (Ananta, Garuda, Vishwaksena) who serve the Divine Couple. |
| 626 | Vijitatma | The Conquered Soul. | He is conquered by his devotees. Anecdote: When Bhrigu kicked his chest (Lakshmi's abode), instead of getting angry, the Lord massaged Bhrigu's foot. |
| 627 | Vidheyatma | The Subservient Soul. | He sits, stands, and eats wherever his true devotees command him. |
| 628 | Sat Kirtihi | True Fame. | His fame comes from his Saushilyam (accessibility)—moving with commoners despite being the Supreme. |
| 629 | Chinna Samshayaha | Destroyer of Doubts. | His accessibility removes the doubt: "Will the great Lord bless a commoner like me?". |
2. Archavatara: The Deity Forms in Temples (630–696) 🏛️
Focus: The Lord's descent into idols/deities (Archa) in holy places (Divya Desams) to be accessible to our external eyes.
| No. | Name | Meaning (Context of Temple/Deity) | Specific Temple / Deity Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 630 | Udhirnah | The Manifest. Visible to external eyes. | Srirangam: Refers to the Dashavatara Sannidhi constructed during Tirumangai Alvar's time. |
| 631 | Sarvatakshakshuhu | Visible to All Eyes. | Tirukkovalur: The Lord as Trivikrama (Gopapuri). |
| 632 | Anishaha | Helpless / Dependent. He depends on the priest (Archaka) for bath/food. | General: The deity allows himself to be tied and decorated by priests, accepting whatever is offered. |
| 633 | Shashvata Sthirah | Eternally Firm / Obedient. He stays where devotees ask. | Kanchipuram: Yathoktakari (Sonna Vannam Seidha Perumal) who left the temple and returned based on his devotee's request. |
| 634 | Bhushayah | Sleeping on the Ground. Sleeping on the floor if asked. | Mahabalipuram: The Sthalashayana Perumal who sleeps on the bare floor. |
| 635 | Bhushanah | Adorned / Accessible. adorned by all castes/classes. | Pandharpur: Lord Vitthala, accessible to all devotees regardless of caste. |
| 636 | Bhutihi | The Treasure/Wealth. | Tirukkolur: The Lord is Vaithamanidhi (The stored treasure). |
| 637 | Vishaokaha | Dispeller of Sorrow. | Ahobilam: Lord Narasimha, who removes distress. |
| 638 | Shokanashanah | Destroyer of Grief. Removes sorrow of separation. | Guruvayur: The captivating Krishna whom devotees cannot bear to leave. |
| 639 | Archishman | The Lustrous / Light. | Kanchipuram: Lord Deepa Prakasha (The Light). |
| 640 | Architaha | Worshipped. | Muktinath (Nepal): The Lord as Shalagrama. |
| 641 | Kumbhaha | The Pot / Captivating. Attractive beauty. | Nagapattinam: Lord Saundarya Raja (King of Beauty). |
| 642 | Vishuddhatma | Pure Soul. | Kumbakonam: Lord Aravamudan (Aparyaptamrita), who exchanged names with his devotee. |
| 643 | Vishodhanah | The Purifier/Guide. Guides the departed soul. | Tirumohur: Lord Kalamegha, who guides the soul to Moksha. |
| 644 | Aniruddha | Unstoppable / With Family. | Nachiyar Kovil / Shivakashi: Where the Lord appears with his family (Vyuha forms). |
| 645 | Apratiratha | Invincible/Unmatched. | Varkala (Kerala): Lord Janardhana. |
| 646 | Pradyumna | Radiant / Illuminator. | Puri (Odisha): Jagannatha (Purushottama Kshetra). |
| 647 | Amita Vikramaha | Immeasurable Valor. | Seergazhi / Kanchipuram: As Trivikrama (Thadalan). |
| 648 | Kalanemi Niha | Destroyer of Wheel of Time/Kali. Destroys sins of Kali Yuga. | Tirumala Tirupati: Lord Venkateshwara (Ven = Sin, Kata = Burn/Remove). |
| 649 | Shourihi | One with Beautiful Hair. | Tirukkannapuram: Lord Shauriraja (known for the legend of growing hair for a devotee). |
| 650 | Shuraha | The Valiant. | Chitrakuta: Where Rama resided. |
| 651 | Shura Janeshwarah | Lord of Valiant People. | Tirupati / Hampi: Lord of Hanuman, Sugriva, etc. |
| 652 | Trilokatma | Soul of Three Worlds. | Gaya (Bihar): Gadadhara / Vishnupada. |
| 653 | Trilokeshah | Lord of Three Worlds. | Pragjyotishapura: (identified as Assam or Thailand). |
| 654 | Keshavaha | One with Beautiful Locks. | Mathura / Varanasi:. |
| 655 | Keshika | Slayer of Keshi. | Vrindavan:. |
| 656 | Harihi | Green / Remover of Sins. | Govardhana: The green mountain. |
| 657 | Kamadevaha | The God of Love. | Vanamamalai (Thothadri) / Cambodia: Worshipped by Apsaras. |
| 658 | Kamapalaha | Protector of Boons/Desires. | Tiruvallur: Lord Veeraraghava (promised never to leave the devotee). |
| 659 | Kami | The Desirous (Giver). | Kanchipuram: Lord Varadaraja (King of Boons). |
| 660 | Kantaha | The Handsome / Attractive. | Mannargudi: Lord Rajagopala (Dakshina Dwaraka). |
Note: From Name 661 onwards, the commentary shifts back to general qualities (Para/Vibhava) and the use of weapons, moving away from specific temple references.
The Divine Love Story 💕✨
The Perfect Partnership 👑💎
The Sri-Pati section reveals one of the most beautiful theological truths in Vaishnavism - that the Lord's power and compassion flow from his eternal relationship with Goddess Lakshmi. She is not merely his consort but his complement:
- Shrivatsa Vakshaha - The reddish mark on his chest shows where she rests her feet
- Shrivasaha - He is literally her garden where she takes her walks
- Shrishaha - They rule together in perfect harmony with no conflict
The Ultimate Accessibility 🤗🌍
The commentary beautifully shows how love makes the Supreme Lord completely accessible:
- Vijitatma - When Bhrigu kicked the Lord's chest, instead of anger, he massaged Bhrigu's foot
- Vidheyatma - He obeys wherever true devotees command him to sit or stand
- Chinna Samshayaha - His accessibility removes all doubt about whether he will bless common people
The Sacred Geography 🗺️🏛️
The Archavatara section transforms India into a living mandala where every region has the Lord's presence:
- North to South: From Nepal (Muktinath) to Kerala (Varkala)
- East to West: From Assam to Cambodia
- Mountains to Coasts: From Tirupati hills to Nagapattinam shores
The Divine Dependence 🙏💝
Perhaps the most touching aspect is how the all-powerful Lord makes himself completely dependent on devotees:
- Anishaha - He depends on priests for his daily bath and food
- Bhushayah - He sleeps on the ground if asked
- Bhushanah - He allows people of all castes to adorn him
The Theology of Presence 🌟
From Vaikuntha to Village 🏰🏡
This section bridges the cosmic and the intimate. The same Lord who rules with Lakshmi in the supreme abode becomes:
- The village deity in Guruvayur where devotees can't bear to leave
- The accessible Vitthala in Pandharpur for all castes
- The obedient deity in Kanchipuram who moves based on devotee's request
The Geography of Grace 🌏💖
Parashara Bhatta's temple references create a sacred map showing that divine presence isn't limited to one location but manifests everywhere sincere devotion exists. From the Shalagrama in Nepal's mountains to Jagannatha in Puri's shores, every sacred space becomes a window into the infinite.
The Perfect Balance ⚖️💫
What emerges from these 90 names is the perfect balance between transcendence and immanence. The Lord who engages in cosmic love-play with Lakshmi is the same deity who depends on a village priest for his morning bath. The One who rules three worlds becomes helplessly bound by a devotee's simple love.
This is the miracle of Archavatara - the infinite becomes finite, the cosmic becomes local, and the transcendent becomes tangibly present, all without losing any divine nature.
Reference 🎥
📝 Acknowledgment & Disclaimer
These articles are based on discourses by Sri Dushyanth Sridhar, who renders discourses in English & Tamil on Rāmāyana, Mahābhārata, Bhāgavata, Vishnu Purāna, Bhagavad Gitā, Vishnu Sahasranāma, and Divya Prabanda in the upanyāsam, pravachanam, or kālakshepam style. Visit https://desikadaya.org for more information. These notes are presented solely for educational purposes to help viewers download and benefit from these teachings. Any incorrect interpretations or inaccuracies are mine and unintentional—please forgive me. For any feedback, please send an email.