Narayana.

A Beginner’s Journey

What Does Nārāyaṇa Mean? Why Is Kōyil Sri Rangam?

For a Sri Vaishnava, two words carry a world of meaning:

Nārāyaṇa and Kōyil.

What does Nārāyaṇa mean?

Nārāyaṇa is the name of the Supreme Being.

The word is traditionally understood as Nara + Ayana—with Nara referring to all beings and Ayana to the abode, support or ultimate destination.

Thus, Nārāyaṇa can be understood as the One in whom all beings have their source, support and ultimate refuge.

He is not merely one deity among many in the Sri Vaishnava understanding.

Nārāyaṇa is the Supreme Lord, with Sri Lakshmi eternally united with Him.

And why does “Kōyil” mean Sri Rangam?

In Tamil, kōyil simply means temple.

But among Sri Vaishnavas, when the word Kōyil is used without qualification, it traditionally refers to Sri Ranganatha’s temple at Sri Rangam.

Why?

Because Sri Rangam is regarded as the foremost and most sacred centre of Sri Vaishnava worship.

So a Sri Vaishnava may simply say:

“I am going to Kōyil.”

And everyone understands.

They mean Sri Rangam—the abode of Lord Ranganatha.

Perhaps that itself tells us something about the place Sri Rangam holds in the heart of the tradition.

For some, it is a temple.
For a Sri Vaishnava, it is Kōyil.