The Divine Rest
Śayanam (Sanskrit: śaye = to lie down, recline) refers to both:
- The reclining iconographic form of the Lord (anantaśayanam — reclining on Ādiśeṣa)
- The nightly ritual service in which the temple priests ritually "put the Lord to rest" for the night
The Reclining Form
The anantaśayanam (eternal reclining) is one of Viṣṇu's most iconic and beloved iconographic forms — lying on his left side on the coils of Ādiśeṣa, Lakṣmī at his feet, Brahmā arising on a lotus from his navel, Bhūdevī attending. This form is found at:
- Śrīraṅgam (Raṅganātha)
- Thiruvananthapuram (Anantapadmanābha)
- Tiruvantipuram
- Tiruvanparisaram
- Many other Divya Desams
The Evening Service
In the daily tiruvarādhanam sequence, śayanam is the final service — performed at night:
- The Lord is offered the evening meal (naivedya)
- The Lord is adorned for rest
- The ārarti (dīpa-āradhana) is performed
- The sanctuary doors are closed
- The Tiruppaḷḷiyezhucci and Śayana Śrī hymns may be recited
- The Lord is "put to rest" with a recitation of the goodnight benediction
The morning service begins with the suprabhatam — waking the Lord. This daily cycle of sleeping and waking expresses the Lord's saulabhya — he lives within the devotees' intimate daily life.