Special Days
Viśeṣam (Sanskrit: viśeṣa = special, particular, distinction; Tamil: viśeṣam) in everyday Śrī Vaiṣṇava usage refers to a day or occasion that is 'special' — a festival, a tirunakṣatram, an important anniversary, or any occasion that calls for enhanced devotion, special worship, or community gathering.
'What is the viśeṣam today?'
The question 'Indru viśeṣam enna?' ('What is special today?') is asked in devout households to identify the specific sacred significance of the day. This habitual inquiry ensures that the community doesn't let sacred days pass unnoticed — every day on the Śrī Vaiṣṇava calendar has some significance, whether a tirunakṣatram, an Ekādaśī, a Brahmotsavam day, or a specific service occasion.
Philosophical Sense
In its philosophical usage, viśeṣa is a technical term related to viśeṣaṇa (qualifier) — a 'specification' or 'differentiation.' Viśiṣṭādvaita itself is built on the concept of viśeṣa — the real distinctions between Brahman, souls, and matter that define the tradition's non-dual-but-differentiated metaphysics.