Pancha Samskaram (Samashrayanam)

Sishyas looking to have Samashrayanam performed by our Acharyan are requested to send E Mail to sridasarathy@gmail.com ll acharya@mudaliandan.com to check the availability of Varthamana Acharyan and the Location where it will be performed. We request all sishyas to come Empty Stomach.

Who is called as Acharya?

AchArya means the one who is the foremost among the Vaidhikas (vaidikAgresara), who has devotion to Bhagavan, who is without egoism, who understands the thirumantram according to the correct meaning - that thirumantram is the essence of all the Vedas, the case of all mantras, the document for the inseparable relationship of the soul and the Lord, the savior of Mumukshus, who has no interest in artha and kAma but yet lives within the world and follows the dharma, artha, kAma (lokaparigraha) [and hence practices dharma, artha and kAma] -- by Sri Periyavachan Pillai

What is Samashrayanam?

SamAshrayanam means 'to approach (AchAryA) with all sincerity'. During 'SamAshrayanam', the AchAryA initiates a person, irrespective of caste, creed or sex, as his sishyA. It is a commitment from the sishya that he or she will live as per the wishes of the AchAryA. Thus the person gets the link to the Sri Vaishnava sampradayam. Pancha SamskAram (five Purifications) is performed and then he becomes a "Sri VaishnavA".

The five samskArams and its main purposes are:

"thApa: pundra: tathA nAma: mantrO yAgas cha panchama:"

1) Thapam:

To emboss the impressions of heated Chakra and Sankha on the arms (near the shoulders).

The emblem of "Sudarshana ChakrA (Discus)" is heated and is embossed on the right hand, by chanting a hymn, which translates into "Oh! Sudarshana MahAJwAlA (Highly resplendent), as lusturous as crores of Sun, please show me, an ignorant one, the path of Lord Vishnu".


Chakra Mudre:
SudaRshana Mahajwala Koti SooRya SamapraBha |
Ajnaana Andhasyame Nithyam Vishno MaaRgam PradaRahaya ||

Then, the emblem of "Panchajanyam (Conch)" is heated in the fire and is embossed on the left hand, by chanting a hymn, which translates into "Oh! PAnchajanyA! You are capable of driving away the sins of individuals through your sound. Please protect me, a sinner, from this samsArA"

Shankha Mudre:
Paanjajanya Nija Dhwaana Dwastha paathaka Sanchaya |
Traayhimam aapinan Ghora SamsaaraRNava Paathinam ||

2. Urdhva Pundram (12 Thiruman):

Para-Vasudeva (Sri Vaikuntam)

From the Para-Vasudeva (Sri Vaikuntam) form, Narayana emanates into the four vyuha forms and then further to 3 under each Vyuhas

Vasudeva	Sankarsana	Pradyumna	Anirudha
1) Kesava	4) Govinda	7) Trivikrama	10) Hrishikesha
2) Narayana	5) Vishnu	8) Vamana	11) Padmanaba
3) Madhava	6)Madhusudhana	9) Sridhara	12) Damodara

1. Forehead	4. Front neck (middle)	7. Neck (right)	10. Neck (left)
2. Lower abs (middle)	5. Lower abs (right)	8. Lower abs (left)	11. Back (lower spinal)
3. Chest	6. Right arm	9. Left arm	12. Back (upper spinal)

The Thiruman (white color) should be like the outline of Narayana's Lotus foot. Since Red Color is for mangaLam (pirAtti), wear red colored Sri Choornum. SishyAs should follow their respective Acharyas.

3) Namam:

The AchAryA adds the name 'DASAN' at the end of the disciples name, to indicate that he is forever the servant of Lord Sriman NArAyanA and Bhagavad RAmAnujA. He becomes 'RAMANUJA DASAN'.

This is very important. After Pancha Samskaram, whenever we prostrate at Acharya's or Lord's Feet, we have to identify ourself as Lord Sriman Narayana and Swami Ramanuja's Servant saying "Adiyen Ramanuja Dasan"








Prapatti (Surrendering) is the only way in this Kali Yuga by which one can reach Sri Vaikuntam (mOksham). Thus, it was Bhagavad RAmAnujA who opened the gates of Sri Vaikuntam for anyone, irrespective of caste, creed or sex. The greatness of Bhagavad RAmAnujA cannot be expressed in mere words.

4) Mantram:

To get the initiation of "Rahasya Traya MantrAs" -

Thirumantram - revealed by Lord as Sage Narayana to his disciple Nara in Badrikasrama.
Dvayam - revealed by Lord to His consort Sri in Thirupaarkadal.
Charama slokam - revealed by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the chariot in the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Eventhough all the five samskArams are highly important, Mantra SamskAram is the most important amongst them. The Rahasya traya (3 secrets) mantrAs are initiated to the sishyA. They are the Thirumantram (AshtAksharam), Dvayam and the Charama slokam.

Plese learn Thirumantram and Dvaya Mantram from Acharya
during Samashrayanam as he is one who is Qualified to teach it to Sishyas

Note:
Thirumantram can be recited only in the morning after bath.
Dvayam, there is no restrictions. Tell as many times regardless of place and time.

Thirumantram japam must be performed daily. Thirumantram japam gives all benefits that one can derive from different mantrAs. More importantly, it facilitates the bondage between the person performing the japam and Sriman NArAyanA for SaranAgati (Prapatti).

Dvaya Mantram consists of two lines. It is also called as the 'Mantra RatnA' (Gem/Jewel amongst all the MantrAs). This helps one to perform SaranAgati unto Sriman NArAyanA. Once this mantrA is initiated by the AchAryA, it should be recited constantly within ourselves. It is infact an instruction from BhagavAd Ramanuja that Dvayam should be chanted for maximum time possible.

Charama slokam is the famous sloka of Srimad Bhagavad GitA. It is a secret because of its invaluable hidden truth. Sriman NArAyanA during His Krishna AvatArA did the Gita UpadesA to all the people through ArjunA. Since Bhakti YogA was highly difficult even for ArjunA, KrishnA out of His Mercy asked him (all the people) to perform 'Prapatti', as a means of God-Realisation.

Charama Slokam: (Bhagavad Gita 18:66)

Sarvadharmaan Parith yajya Mam Ekam Charanam Vraja |
Aham tva Sarva Papebhyo Moksha ishyami Masuchaha ||

Meaning: Abandonong all righteous deeds, seek me as your sole refuge, I will liberate you from all sins, Do not greive.

5) Ijyai:

The details will be uploaded soon as a Video and also on Youtube.

Thiruaradhana Kramum   (8.21 MB)

CD's of Thiru Aaradhana Kramum of our thirumaligai can be obtained from Singaperumal Koil thirumaligai Location as soon as its ready and all will be notified by E Mail once its ready.

This samskAram is very important in many angles. thApa samskAram makes the sishyA eligible to start performing various kainkaryams to Sriman NArAyanA. The pundra samskAram makes a person eligible to wear the dvAdasa Urdhvapundram, which is a must while performing kainkaryams like Bhagavad ArAdhanam. NAma samskAram makes the sishyA get the intimate relationship with Sriman NArAyanA & Bhagavad RAmAnujA, which is again important while performing kainkaryams. The mantrAs initiated during the mantra samskAram are used to please Sriman NArAyanA while performing kainkaryams like Bhagavad ArAdhanam. So, all the samskArams are ultimately aimed to make the sishyA perform the kainkaryams like Bhagavad ArAdhanam properly.

While doing Bhagavad ArAdhanam to Sriman NArAyanA, one is also reminded about the Lord in various Divya Desams, the nectarian anubhavA of AzhwArs, mercy of our AchAryAs etc. All types of spiritual emotions can be nicely poured out during the Bhagavad ArAdhanam, thereby bringing immense divine ecstacy. This makes one get rid of the sins that propel a person to engage in materialistic pleasures and makes him deeply attached to the Lotus Feet of the Supreme Lord Sriman NArAyanA.