Bhāgavatha — The Devoted Śrī Vaiṣṇava
Bhāgavatha (from Sanskrit bhagavat = Bhagavān + suffix -tha indicating belonging or devotion) refers to one who belongs to Bhagavān — a committed Vaiṣṇava who has undergone pañca-saṃskāra (the five purificatory rites including Samāśrayanam), wears the marks of Viṣṇu (ūrdhva-puṇḍra, śaṅkha-chakra-mudrā), observes Vaiṣṇava conduct, and lives under the spiritual authority of an Āchārya.
Significance within the Sampradāya: Bhāgavathas occupy a position of supreme reverence in Śrī Vaiṣṇavism. They are not merely devotees of Bhagavān; they are, in a very real sense, Bhagavān's manifestation in the human world. The Āchārya-lineage texts teach that service to bhāgavathas (bhāgavata-kainkaryam) is itself a form of service to Bhagavān. Conversely, the texts warn that no amount of ritual correctness can compensate for even a single offence against a bhāgavatha — Bhagavān forgives offences against Himself (bhagavad-apachāram) more readily than He forgives offences against His devotees.
Bhāgavata-Apachāram: This is counted as one of the most grievous errors a spiritual aspirant can commit. The Padma Purāṇa, cited frequently in the sampradāya, lists ten offences against the holy name — but Āchārya-texts add that bhāgavata-apachāram can destroy the fruit of a lifetime of sādhana. Even a casual word of disrespect, contempt, or pride in the presence of a bhāgavatha can create karmic obstruction so severe as to delay liberation for ages. Piḷḷai Lokāchārya devotes significant attention in Śrī Vachana Bhūṣaṇam to the proper reverence owed to fellow bhāgavathas.
Community of the Saved: In the Tenkalai understanding, all prapannas are bhāgavathas — each having surrendered to Bhagavān through an Āchārya. The bhāgavatha-saṅgam (assembly of devotees) is itself considered a place of pilgrimage. The Divya Desams are full of Āzhvārs' celebrations of bhāgavathas: Nammāzhvār's Tiruvāymozhi reaches its culmination in his union with bhāgavatha-saṅgam as an anticipation of eternal service in Śrī Vaikuṇṭham.