TheShrivatsa (Sanskrit:श्रीवत्स; IAST:Śrīvatsa,lit. 'Beloved of Śrī')[1] is an ancient symbol, considered auspicious inHinduism and other Indian religious traditions.^[2]

Shrivatsa means "Beloved ofShri", an epithet of Vishnu, and a reference to his consort, the goddessLakshmi, also called Shri.^[3] It is a mark on the chest ofVishnu, where his consort is described to reside.

TheBhagavata Purana explains the origin of this mark. The story goes that a number ofmaharishis once gathered on the banks of theriver Sarasvati to perform ayajna. A dispute arose among these sages regarding the superiority of the members of theTrimurti:Brahma, Vishnu, orShiva. The sageBhrigu was appointed to discover the truth of this matter, and undertook this task by travelling to the abodes of these deities. He felt disrespected by Brahma when the latter was offended by the fact that he had taken his seat on a stool that was not offered to him. He grew anxious when Shiva rose to embrace him, which offered the deity offence as well. Bhrigu then journeyed to the abode of Vishnu:^[4]

Bhṛgu then turned his steps to Vaikuṇṭha, the abode of Mahāviṣṇu. There he saw Mahāviṣṇu in a deep slumber. Seeing Mahāviṣṇu whose task is the preservation of the world, sleeping like an irresponsible person, Bhṛgu gave him a kick on his breast. Viṣṇu who sprang up suddenly, saw Bhṛgu standing before him. He begged pardon of the sage. He declared that he would carry Bhṛgu’s footprint permanently on his chest as a sign of his repentance for having shown disrespect to the Maharṣi. This foot-print still remains on Viṣṇu’s chest and is known by the name "Śrīvatsa". In this way, the Munis came to the conclusion that Mahāviṣṇu is the noblest of the Trimūrtis.

In thelegend of Tirumala, Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi, is offended by the fact that the sage had kicked her beloved, as well as insulted the region of her husband she is associated with the most. She furiously descends upon the earth, where Vishnu finds her asPadmavati, and remarries her in his avatar ofSrinivasa.

It is said that the tenth avatar of Vishnu,Kalki, will bear the Shrivatsa mark on his chest.

The symbol offers the deity another epithet,Śrīvatsalāñcchana, which translates to, "He who has the mark or scar of Śrīvatsa on his chest".^[6]

Shrivatsa is a popular name in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The srivatsa also appears in the video gameRaji: An Ancient Epic, where it is depicted as a shield used by the titular Raji alongside thesword of Vishnu.

In South India, in the bronze sculptures made after circa 10th century, the Shrivatsa symbol is shown as an inverted triangle on the right chest of Vishnu, and hisvarious incarnations.^[7]

InBuddhism, the śrīvatsa is said to be a feature of thetutelary deity (Tibetan:yidam)Mañjuśrī the Youth (Skt:Mañjuśrīkumārabhūta).^[8]

InTibetan Buddhism, the śrīvatsa (Tib: དཔལ་བེའུ་, Wyl:dpal be'u) is depicted as a triangular swirl or anendless knot.^[3] In theChinese tradition,Buddhist prayer beads are often tied at thetassels in this shape.

In some lists of the80 secondary characteristics, it is said that a Buddha's heart is adorned with the śrīvatsa.^[9]

InJain iconography, Shrivatsa often marks the chest of theTirthankara image.^[10] It is one of theAshtamangala (eight auspicious symbols) found in Jainism. The canonical texts such asHemchandra'sTrīṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra andMahapurana mentions it as one of the Ashtamangalas.^[11] Acharya Dinakara explains in his medieval work that the highest knowledge emerged from the heart of Tirthankaras in the form of Shrivatsa so they are marked as such.^[12] In North Indian Jain sculptures of the early centuries, it is marked in the centre of the chest.^[7]

The Shrivatsa is the symbol ofRakhine State and theRakhine people ofBurma.

• Aurva
• Cintamani Gem
• Kaustubha Gem
• Syamantaka Gem

• Jain, Jyotindra; Fischer, Eberhard (1978),Jaina Iconography, Part 12- Iconography of religions: Indian religions, BRILL,ISBN 978-9004052598

• Sutton, Nicholas (2000).Religious doctrines in the Mahābhārata. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 153.ISBN 9788120817005.

• Jain symbols
• Hindu symbols
• Symbols of Indian religions
• Indian iconography

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