Basics of Sri Vaishnavam - #3

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namha:

Srimathe Nigamananda Maha Desikaya Namaha:

How to do Saranagathi?

1. Doing Saranagathi is a thought in mind. There is no action (kriyai) defined for it.

2. When you think in your mind Sriman Narayana and say "Hey Narayana, I am surrendering you", from that moment Perumal takes care of you.

3. There is no time or day defined for it. Any Jeevathama can do Saranagathi.  Saranagathi is independent of Samasrayanam or Pancha Samaskaram.

4. However in Sri Vaishnava Sampradhayam, it is said that surrendering to Perumal through an Acharyan is more effective or the best. Because an Acharyan can help you understand more about principles of Saranagathi and guide you how to elevate yourself (atma) to be prapanan (saranagathan). Acharyan also teaches the life style to follow that pleases Emperuman (Sriman Narayana).

5. Hence our Gurus (Acharyans) have defined some processes called "Samasrayanam" or "Pancha Samaskaram" and "Prapatti".

6. Samasrayanam or Pancha Samaskaram is the process where an Acharyan gives you a physical identity to be a Sri Vaishnavan by etching Sangu & Chakram symbols on our shoulders and also apply Thiruman with Dwadasa Namam (puntram).  Then Acharyan will do the Upadesam of the key mantras Ashtaksharam, Dwayam and Charma Slokam.  Added he also teaches how to perform formal worship (Aradhanai).

7. Hence Pancha Samaskaram refers to  Tapam ,Urthva Puntram, Nama Samaskaram (adding name Ramajuna Dasan or Dasan), Mantra Samaskaram, Yaga Samaskaram (formal way of doing Aradhanai)

8. Swamy Desikan, an Acharyan defined a process called "Baranyasam" where the "Prapatti" is exclusively done by Acharyan for Sishyas. In this sishya surrender to Acharyan who in takes responsibility of praying Sriman Narayana for our Mukthi. So the belief is that once you hold feet of an Acharyan you don't have to worry. 

9. The people who follow Desika Sampradhayam (who are called vadakalai sect) only go through this Baranyasam whereas other (Thenkalai)  sect believe Saranagathi (Prapatti)  is done along with Samasrayanam and hence no need for another Baranyasam process. However both sects belive the "Prapatti" concept. So please don't get into arguments or analysis. 

10. In short above processes are more formalized for ascertaining our Saranagathi. However even other methods like Nama Sankeertanam is also there for Saranagathi. Saranagathi can be done by  all irrespective of caste or creed. You can refer to old Puranas like Ramayana, Maha Bharatam etc..







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