Deity

Tāyār

தாயார்

Also known as: tāyār, tayar, தாயார், the divine mother, consort deity

Meaning

The divine Mother — the female deity consort of the presiding Lord at a Divya Deśam, understood as a manifestation of Śrī Lakṣmī or Bhū Devī.

Detailed Explanation

The Divine Mother

Tāyār (Tamil: 'Mother') is the honorific given to the female consort deity present in every Divya Deśam temple. Each Divya Deśam has its own Tāyār with a distinct name and character — Śrī Raṅganāyakī at Śrī Raṅgam, Padmāvatī at Tirumalai, Perundevi Tāyār at Kāñcīpuram, Komalavalli at Āzhvārtirunagari, and so on.

Theological Role

Tāyār embodies the puruṣakāra function — She intercedes with the Lord on behalf of the devotee. While Bhagavān's justice (niravadhya) is perfect, Tāyār's infinite compassion (kāruṇya) moves Her to plead for the errant soul. In the Śrī Vaiṣṇava prayer sequence, the devotee first approaches Tāyār, who then introduces them to the Lord.

Ubhaya Nācciyār

At temples where both Śrī Devī and Bhū Devī are enshrined (as at Tirumalai with Śrī Devī Padmāvatī and Bhū Devī Andal), the pair are called Ubhaya Nācciyār — both consorts together. The Tāyār's blessings are the gateway to the Lord's grace.

Related Terms
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