SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImath varavaramunayE nama:
Q and A Video responses
Q. After samASrayaNam when should boys/men recite abhivAdhanam?
https://youtu.be/3XT4p0FuG90?list=PLcJLpGJlP9mq1ujSPoQLn5ayAi6Jl6Www
Q. Is it necessary to acquire sampradhAyam knowledge before undergoing pancha samskAram?
https://youtu.be/VF5wxr2V2KI?list=PLcJLpGJlP9mq1ujSPoQLn5ayAi6Jl6Www
Q. After having panchasamskAram, will dhrishti, jealousy or black magic affect prappannas?
https://youtu.be/swGsibHIVkM?feature=shared
Q. After pancha samskAram, do we identity ourself as a SrIvaishNava or according to our varNa?
Q. ANDAL explains about pancha samskAram in thiruppAvai. Kindly elaborate.
https://youtu.be/CvBxbFcvBtw?si=G8r1xtmx-B8POpAJ
Q. After undergoing panchasamskAram, will it guarantee paramapadham after this janma itself?
https://youtu.be/C9SxnFhvPDw?si=iIoFlbTVRMMx1Hcp
Q. What is bharanyAsam? What is its significance in thenkalai sampradhAyam?
https://youtu.be/1ct9ohkAAEw?si=ly5_PezMiztKN80X
Q. Can a non-brAhmin get upanyanam or pancha samskAram? If yes, what is the procedure?
https://youtu.be/HKM-015J8Oc?si=HxeEIl0_XFuKQ2Ii
Q. Is SaraNAgathi effortless or do we have to keep improving ourselves in SaraNAgathi?
https://youtube.com/shorts/U6vqaMo7A88?si=wYcWuRyk7TitrELA
Q and A Text responses
Q. Can we call ourselves adiyEn/bhAgavatha without pancha samskAram?
Yes – the bhAvam/mood is important. Certainly, adiyEn can be said by everyone, since that is the natural position of all AthmAs. If one truly considers oneself as an exclusive devotee of vishNu, one can be considered as a bhAgavatha.
Q. Can we get pancha samskAram for achith?
Sankha chakra mudhrA alone is not pancha samskAram. Applying thirumaN, Sanhka chakram for vessels is to indicate that they are fortunate to have connection to bhagavAn through bhAgavathas. Every achith object (insentient) has an AthmA in it. Even animals, birds, pots, dhOthis, etc. – everything is fortunate when there is bhagavath/bhAgavatha sambandham.
Q. In case one belongs to svayamAchAryas and was not able to do pancha samskAram due to AchAryan attaining his AchAryan thiruvadi, are there sampradhAyam rules as to who can do pancha samskAram?
If no one is ready or qualified in the family, one can seek SrI vAnamAmalai mutt (which is considered as the foremost mutt of SrIvaishNava sampradhAyam since this mutt has been involved in prachAram for more than 600 years) or other established AchArya thiruvamSams.
–*–
Q. Are thaptha mudhrAs of gadhA, padhma and nArAyaNa mudhra given in SrIvaishNava sampradhAyam as given in madhva sampradhAyam?
No. Our pUrvAchAryas have selected this method. we will go with that practice only.
Q. How do we view “Shad-Anga prapatti”? Is this something that needs to be actively practiced post pancha samskAram?
The six aspects of SaraNAgathi are considered as a natural outcome which happens after pancha-samskAram. After pancha samskAram, one gets guidance from AchAryas and live the life according to such good guidance. For such persons, these will naturally occur. There are some interesting explanations in https://divyaprabandham.koyil.org/index.php/2021/10/periya-thirumozhi-2-6/ on this topic. Same thing is elaborated here too – https://divyaprabandham.koyil.org/index.php/2023/06/perumal-thirumozhi-2/
Q. Do AchAryas give SrI lakshmi nArAyaNa vigraha to worship at home after pancha samskAram?
Not usually.
Q. Since AchArya’s anugraham is utmost, then what is the role of mahA lakshmI thAyAr?
AchArya is the representative of SrI mahAlakshmi. As she is the second in line in our guru paramparA, everyone follows her and considers her as their role model.
Q. If the mark of pancha samskAram fades should we get the sankha, chakra lAnchanam again through an AchAryan?
No.
Q. Since pancha samskAram is a process to surrender ourselves to bhagavAn, is there specific time or period for pancha samskAram?
No specific time frame. when one has desire and when AchArya agrees, it can be done.
Q. Do pratilomas and foreigners also have the right for pancha saṃskAram? And does that mean they can also perform kainkaryam to perumAL?
Everyone is qualified for pancha samskAram. But kainkaryams in public places like temples will be based on SAsthram, where certain standards are expected.
Q. Is it necessary to receive pancha samskAram from a jeeyar swAmy in order to attain vaikuNta? And does having multiple AchAryas as witnesses to one’s spiritual practice affect one’s eligibility or permanence in vaikuNta?
pancha samskAram should be accepted from an established AchArya. One can take guidance from elders/scholars as well. By following the principles of our pUrvAchAryas, based on the guidance from present day AchAryas, one will make progress in sampradhAyam and eventually reach SrIvaikuNtam. Then there is no fall down from SrIvaikuNtam, certainly. Right from bhagavath rAmAnuja’s times, accepting guidance from multiple AchAryas is practiced – but the AchAryas should follow our SrIvaishNava sampradhAyam purely, without any selfish interests. We can accept guidance only from such AchAryas who are very good in gyAnam (knowledge) and anushtAnam, (practice) both.
Q. With regard to prapatti, is it to be performed only once by a jIvAthmA towards bhagavAn, or can a devotee perform SaraNAgathi multiple times? What is the correct understanding of this in our sampradhAyam?
SaraNAgathi should be done only once. SaraNAgathi is the act of accepting bhagavAn as upAyam. It is enough, if we do it once – since bhagavAn will recognize that one single act and bestow the expectation, at the apt time. This SaraNAgathi is done by us, as part of pancha samskAram.
We should not perform SaraNAgathi again and again. That means, we should not go through the routine of pancha samskAram again and again.
But we do repeatedly chant guru paramparA manthram and dhvaya mahA manthram. We also recite many pAsurams, sthOthrams, which implies that we are surrendering to bhagavAn. These repetitions are done by SrIvaishNavas due to sweet nature of SaraNAgathi or out of fear. Those will become part of being kainkaryam and bhagavAn will forgive the repeated act of surrendering.
Q. If husband is a smartha/other sampradhAyam & wife is a SrIvaishNava, is she eligible for pancha samskAram? Also if the husband is not interested in SrIvaishNava kramas and wife is ready to do so what will be her state in this life? Is she is eligible for mOksha?
Yes – certainly – she is eligible. But after pancha samskAram, she should follow SrIvaishNava traditions only. And she should not worship other dhEvathAs. As long as she can follow this, she can get pancha samskAram. If she follows pUrvAchAryas’ instructions through a proper AchArya, she will be surely eligible for mOksham.
Q. What eligibility must we have to take samASrayaNam?
In general, anyone who is devoted to SrIman nArAyaNa and desires to be liberated, can get pancha samskAram. The main aspects to follow are :
* Avoid other dhEvathAs completely
* Avoid apachArams (offenses) towards bhagavAn and bhAgavathas
* Maintain regulated prasAdham consumption
* Follow an authentic mentor/AchArya who can give personal guidance and reform us at every step
Q. What are the rules to be followed for a SrIvaishNava after pancha samskAram daily?
The purpose of pancha samskAram is to avoid material entanglement. Hence we have to adhere to the instructions of our pUrvAchAryas with proper guidance from an authentic mentor. Exceptions are always there – but we have to minimize the exceptions and maximise the proper etiquette.
Q. Since bharanyAsam is reflected through pancha samskAram., are women also given bharanyAsam?
pancha samskAram (which is the process for SaraNAgathi) is applicable irrespective of gender of the seeker, who desires to engage in eternal kainkaryam for bhagavAn in paramapadham. Men and women are treated equally with respect to pancha samskAram.
Q. In our sampradhAyam, at the time of pancha samskAram, is the parampara of giving other manthras from pAncharAthra, such as the dhvAdashAkshari and Sadakshari still fully alive?
No.
Q. Is it possible to get pancha samskAram twice in our sampradhAyam if one is admired and inspired by the gyAnam and anushtAnam of some other AchAryan?
There have been quite a few instances. When avathAra purushas, great personalities are there, such incidents happen. But in general, after pancha samskAram, even if one is inspired by someone’s gyAnam and anushtAnam, one can simply accept that person as mAnasIka AchArya, and remain faithful to his instructions. There is no restriction on having only one “AchArya”. Even emperumAnAr had 5 AchAryas and he respected them equally.
Q. Is there a mutt that does pancha samskAram for non-brahmins?
Yes – Starting with vAnamAmalai (thOthAdhri) mutt, many mutts/thirumALigais accept disciples from any varNa.
Q. Are there mutts which do not do pancha samskArams for abrAhmaNas?
Yes – there are some mutts/thirumALigais which do in a restricted manner – within their thirumALigai (family), only brAhmaNas etc.
Q. Is it mandatory for a vaishNava to get samASrayaNam done in our sampradhAyam?
samASrayaNam is the means through which one can reveal one’s surrender to bhagavAn through an AchArya. Hence it is considered very important and compulsory.
There may be extreme situations where a person may not be able to get samASrayaNam, in such cases such persons can take shelter of an uththama SrIvaishNava and be surrendered to that AchArya.
Q. If a husband is fully devoted and attached to bhagavAn as per SAsthram and his wife is fully attached to her husband then will she get mOksham?
mOksha is attained based on the ruchi (taste) for that in each individual. Irrespective of the means/process, one should have taste, then only, one will get. Whether it is karma, gyAna, bhakthi yOgam, SaraNAgathi, nAma sankIrthanam, dhivyadhESa vAsam etc – without taste for mOksham and detachment towards material world, mOksham will not be possible.
Only exception is AchArya/bhAgavatha abhimAnam – where a great SrIvaishNava personally requests bhagavAn to grant mOksham to someone he likes – even in that case, such person should accept the proposal and not reject the mOksham given to him.
Q. Can one do mental SaraNAgathi, not the bharanyAsam ceremony but mental SaraNAgathi to bhagavAn before panchasamskAram and will he be considered as prapannan and is paramapadham assured for him?
SaraNAgathi, prapaththi, bharanyAsam – all of these terms mean total surrender towards bhagavAn – actually the most important element is the mental part only – that is, in our mind, we should surrender. It generally happens during pancha samskAram. But as SaraNagathas, we are expected to follow SAsthram under the guidance of a noble AchArya. Will a person who surrendered mentally without panchasamskAram be called as prapanna? If person behaves like a prapanna, bhagavAn will consider that – we need not look for labels from others. Is paramapadham assured for them? Only bhagavAn knows – as a prapanna, we long for eternal kainkaryam but cannot force bhagavAn for the same.
Q. What is the fate of one who cannot do bharanyAsam/panchasamskAram but has very deep devotion to God? Will he still attain paramapadham in this very birth?
It depends on the individual. We have to fulfil our duty, obligations – without doing any of that, we cannot expect the ultimate result. If bhagavAn grants it, it is our fortune. Otherwise, we have to wait for our chance.
Q. What is meant by the statement, ‘pancha samskAram being the external of mental surrender’. Please clarify.
Real surrender should happen in mind. Merely getting pancha samskAram is not sufficient – it is only external activity. In our mind level, we should fully surrender unto bhagavAn and live like a surrendered person.
Q. In mumukshuppadi, mAnavala mAmunigal says that SaraNAgathi can be performed only once but it is also said in other places that it can be performed more than once. Kindly clarify.
SaraNAgathi is performed once to reveal our true identity as a servitor who seeks bhagavAn as upAyam. Subsequently, we remember the SaraNAgathi whenever it comes to our mind and feel comforted by his grace.
Q. Everyone does mistakes / offences in life & has past known to oneself. So, can a person who has committed innumerable & unforgivable sins in current life (maybe due to situations or ignorance which can’t be justified) also have opportunity to get SaraNAgathi provided he is willingness to improve himself ?
Certainly yes – once we realise our mistakes and surrender to bhagavAn through an AchArya and follow our sampradhAya principles going forward without any shortcomings, we will surely reach the goal, by his grace.
Q. If the sacred ritual of pancha samskAram becomes forgotten or a physical guru is completely inaccessible in the future, can souls still reach vaikuNtam?
Connection with AchAryas (pancha samksAra AchArya or gyAnAchArya) is compulsory. Our sampradhAyam is based on Acharya/Sishya relationship, where the Sishyas live according to the guidance given by the AchAryas. It is repeatedly emphasised in our sampradhAyam that the mercy of AchArya is the main cause for our upliftment. We are not doing SaraNAgathi to bhagavAn directly – it is done through our AchArya paramparai. Without the AchArya paramparai, we are nobody. We cannot maintain the high standards of direct SaraNAgathi towards bhagavAn – hence AchAryas are our real hope.
Q. If in future getting Acharya becomes impossible, would it mean no one can go to paramapadham?
Arranging AchAryas is the responsibility of bhagavAn. Since he desires to help AthmAs, he will be constantly facilitating that. We need not worry about it.
Q. Explain a little bit about pancha samskAram and who is qualified to perform the same.
First of all, pancha samskAra, is an age-old process identified as a means to accept our servitude towards SrIman nArAyaNan. We see that AzhwArs got pancha samskAram, as identified in guruparamparA prabhAvam. Similarly, even AchAryas before bhagavath rAmAnuja, had followed the practice of accepting initiation through this process of pancha samskAram.
pancha samskAram is based on SrI pAncharAthra Agama, where vaishNava dhIkshA is well established and practiced. parASara dharma SAsthram also talks about pancha samskAram.
bhagavath rAmAnuja established 74 simhAsanAdhipathis to organise the sampradhAyam in a simpler and easily approachable manner, ashta dhig gajas were established by mAmunigaL (some of those AchAryas are descendants of 74 simhAsanAdhipathis), following the divine will of bhagavath rAmAnuja. And OrAN vazhi AchAryas are also present as an authentic paramparA. These are the primary authorities to give pancha samskAram. There are also few prAchIna (old) mutts where the peetAdhipathis give pancha samskAram – these were established by bhagavath rAmAnuja and other authorities subsequently – Examples – yathirAja jIyar mutt established by bhagavath rAmAnuja, SrIranga nArAyaNa jIyar mutt headed by kUra Narayana jIyar, thirumAlirunjOlai jIyar who was also SriperumbUthUr yathirAja jIyar, established by mAmunigaL.
We can see in the OrAN vazhi AchArya paramaparai, nanjIyar was not part of 74, nampiLLai was also not part of 74 and thiruvAimozhip piLLai too. But those AchAryas were appointed by those who had the authority to do so.
We also see few other mutts which came about during the course of time. There is also the mahanths and jIyars who are given authority in different parts of bhAratha dhESam by AchAryas who went on dhigvijaya yAthrAs, over the course of the last few centuries.
While these are there, the general rule for a person to acquire the ability to perform pancha samskAram is from directly getting such authority from a very scholarly and authoritative AchArya who has such authority to perform pancha samskAram and further grant others the authority to do so.
There are many misconceptions in these:
- Just because a person accepts sanyAsa ASramam, he automatically becomes qualified to perform pancha samskAram to others. Fact: Accepting sanyAsa ASramam is not an automatic qualification.
- Just because one is born in a AchArya family, one is automatically qualified to perform pancha samskAram to others. Fact: No. Even within the family, there may be a number of male members – but only one person will get to perform pancha samskAram and others will remain the same as other SrIvaishNavas in the matter of performing pancha samskAram.
- Just because one has become an initiating AchArya, his gyAnam, bhakthi, vairAgyam and more importantly anushtAnam are beyond analysis. No one can question that. Fact: gyAnam and anushtAnam are compulsory for an AchArya, without which he will be like a wingless bird which cannot fly. What is the use of a bird which cannot fly? When an AchArya is committing a mistake, even Sishyas can privately approach the AchArya, humbly pray/request to him to correct the mistake. In fact, good AchAryas will have good Sishyas mostly, and they will mutually enrich one another. Bad AchAryas will run behind money, fame, worldly benefits etc, and Sishyas will excel in it more than the AchArya.
- A descendant of 74 simhAsanAdhipathis established by bhagavath rAmAnuja can only perform pancha samskAram. Fact: No. There are other methods where one gets the authority to perform pancha samskAram, as we have seen already.
To summarize, the AchArya peetam is not some thing casual. If one gets great honour, if one is worshipped at par with bhagavAn himself, we have to understand what kind of qualities, conduct and responsibility such AchArya is expected to have. This is why in many of the pUrvAchArya granthams, when there is mention about an AchArya’s qualities, they talk about “gyAnam and anushtAnam” mainly. It is not a power center or wealth center. It is a position of gyAnam, bhakthi, vairAgyam and inspiration for others. With great power comes great responsibility.
Just like when Sishyas excel, the AchArya is glorified, when Sishyas are not up to the mark, the AchArya will be blamed. It is the total responsibility of the AchArya to ensure that the Sishya is reformed by proper instructions and practical demonstrations of important aspects. There are many incidents in pUrvAchAryas’ lives where AchAryas went out of their way to reform their Sishyas.
This is just a brief presentation – more in-depth analysis and deeper presentation by scholarly SrIvaishNavas will benefit present and future generations.
Q. As per garuda purANam, if a jIvAthmA encounters death due to some accident, he will not be given next birth for further few years and has to be roaming without destination. After that the jIvAthmA will get another SarIram and has to continue with his karmas. But one purohithar during the conclusion of 13th day ceremony said that even if the jIvAthmA encounters death due to an unnatural accident, he would attain moksha. Please clarify.
Different people may say different things. We know that those are going to moksham, will reach paramapadham immediately. Others will get next birth depending on various conditions – it is not easy to exactly determine when each AthmA will get the next birth.