code of conduct

[Guest guest]

Vinjamuri Srimahavishnu writes:

> Dear Bhagavatas,

>

> What is the code of conduct for a Srivaishnava/Brahmin female

> (like sandhyAvandhanam etc. for a brahmachArI)?

 

Dear Vishnu:

 

The Vaishnava dharma is applicable to everyone irrespective

of gender or birth. Any differences stem only from whether

one need perform the vaidika karmas or not.

 

When you say "code of conduct" I assume you mean

"nitya-anushThAnam" or daily religious practice.

In this regard, Sri Vaishnava women, for example,

are asked to

 

(1) Wake up with the name of Hari on their lips

(2) Take a bath while reciting the holy names of the Lord

(3) Wear the tirumaN-SrIcUrNam (Urdhva-puNDra) as befits

a Vaishnava, and meditate on the presence of the Lord

and Lakshmi in the twelve parts of the body

(4) Offer arghya to the Lord as resident within the sun

(I've only read about this -- not performed by any

women that I know of, but Valmiki Maharshi writes that

Sita Piraatti did this)

(5) Do japam of the sacred tirumantra, dvayam and carama-sloka

as time permits

(6) Collect articles for the worship of the Lord along

with whomsoever is at home

(7) Engage in inner contemplation and worship of the Lord (antar-yAga)

(8) Perform or help perform the external worship (bahir-yAga) of the Lord

(9) Study the scriptures, recite stotras and prabandhams, and reflect

on the meaning of the three esoteric mantras

 

These guidelines can be gleaned from a perusal of various

acharyas' works, including Sri Vedanta Desika's "vaishnava

dinacari".

 

aDiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan,

Mani

[Guest guest]

SrI:

Dear Srivaishnavas,

 

Sri Mani has enlisted the duties of Srivaishnavite women excellently.

I would like to supplement what I had heard from His Holiness

Thirukkudanthai Andavan upanyasams.

Swamy used to humorously say, "Ladies should never offer coffee to their

husbands in the morning, unless they take bath and perform

sandhyavandhanams. They should say "andha jalatthai kottittu vaangO (argyam

:-) ) appadhaan kaappi.:".

 

Thus, (in addition to the list furnished by Sri Mani), the important duty

of a "married" srivaishnava woman is to put the husband "in place" and on

track.. by asking him to do what is prescribed in Srivaishnava dinacari.

 

When a man follows the anushtAnam, he gets elevated; Whem a woman does,

even the whole family gets elevated.

 

We have lot of adrent devotees and BhAgawathas among our lady members of

the list. Our praNAmams to all of them.

maadharaay piRatthaRkE nalla maathavam seydhidal vENdumammA! (One must have

performed lot of severe penance to be born a wonam! (what to talk of Great

Srivaishnava woman!)

 

akila jagan mAtharam, asmadh mAtharam.

Thaayaar ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam

Regards

Narayana Narayana

aDiyEn