Paribhāṣā

Parivāram

பரிவாரம்

Also known as: parivāram, parivaram, பரிவாரம், divine family, divine entourage, lord's retinue

Meaning

Retinue / divine family — the complete household or entourage of Bhagavān, including His consorts, attendants, weapons, and devotees who constitute His 'family.'

Detailed Explanation

The Lord's Household

Parivāram (Sanskrit: pari = around/complete + vāra = group/entourage; 'the complete surrounding entourage') refers to the entire divine household of Bhagavān — His consorts (Śrī, Bhū, Nīḷā), His principal weapons as divine beings (Sudarśana, Pāñcajanya), His vehicle (Garuḍa), His couch (Ādiśeṣa), His commander and chief administrator (Viṣvaksena), and all the nitya-sūris and muktātmās who serve Him in Vaikuṇṭha.

Devotees as Family

The concept extends to the community of devotees in the world: all Śrī Vaiṣṇavas are part of Bhagavān's parivāra — His earthly family. Using terms like akka (elder sister), ammā (mother), appan (father), thirukumāran/thirukumāri (son/daughter) for fellow devotees enacts this parivāra reality in everyday speech.

The Temple Parivāra

In temple worship, the parivāra devatās — the subsidiary deities surrounding the main deity — are worshipped as part of honoring the Lord's complete household. These include Garuḍa, Viṣvaksena, the Āzhvārs, and various protective deities who serve the Lord's purpose.

Related Terms
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