Samasrayanam

[Guest guest]

Hello,

 

I would like to know from the learned members on the list

if Sri Shankaracharya has said anything about 'Samasrayanam'

or Pancha-samskara which is an integral part of Vaishnava and

Srivaishnava traditions. Is there an equivalent of this in the

smartha tradition.

 

Thanks in advance

[Guest guest]

Hari Om:

 

Historically, the Vaishnava and Srivaishnava traditions have been

established much later and I believe that Sri Shnakaracharya did not

specifically said anything about "Samasrayanam" or "Pancha-samskara"

as for as I know. Fundamentally, the Guru-Shisya Parampara is an

integral part of Hindu Heritage and Culture. Any disciple who wants

pursue learning from a knowledgeable Guru should be qualified. Sri

Shnkaracharya did indeed discusses the qualifications necessary for a

student to undertake spiritual education (See Vivekachudamani for

example).

 

Every culture celebrates the milestones of life with ritual and

festivity. The Sanskrit term, Samskaras denote such ritualistic

celebrations of life that pertain to Hindu religion. More information

on Samskars (A book on philosophy and practical aspects of Hindu rites

of passage and rituals by Dr. Krishna Bhatta) is available at:

http://www.hindubooks.org/samskars/krishna_bhatta/

 

I hope to see response from other learned members of the list with

more insights with your question. The way that you have framed your

question indicates that you are very knowledgeable and may I request

you to provide more lights on "Samasrayanam" and "Pancha-samskara."

 

warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran

 

advaitin, padmashreem wrote:

> Hello,

>

> I would like to know from the learned members on the list

> if Sri Shankaracharya has said anything about 'Samasrayanam'

> or Pancha-samskara which is an integral part of Vaishnava and

> Srivaishnava traditions. Is there an equivalent of this in the

> smartha tradition.

>

> Thanks in advance

[Guest guest]

Hari Om:

 

Here is what little I know about "Samasrayanam".

 

SamAshrayanam means 'to approach (AchAryA) with all

sincerity'. In a nut shell, during 'SamAshrayanam',

the AchAryA initiates a person, irrespective of caste,

creed or sex, as his sishyA. It is a commitment from

the disciple that he or she will live as per the

wishes of the AchAryA. Thus the person gets the link

to the tradition.

 

During SamAshrayanam in the Sri Vaishnava tradition,

Pancha SamskAram (five Purifications) is performed.

 

The five samskArams and its main purposes are:

 

1. thApam: To emboss the impressions of heated Sankha

and ChakrA on the arms (near the shoulders).

 

2. pundram: To wear the dvAdasa Urdhva pundram (12

Thiruman & Srichoornam).

 

3. nAmam: To be christened by the AchAryA afresh with

addition of 'dAsA'at the end of ones name to indicate

that one is forever a servant of the Supreme Lord.

 

4. manthram: To get the initiation of "Rahasya Traya

MantrAs" - AshtAksharam, Dvayam and charama slokam.

 

5. Ijyai: To learn the worship of the lord.

 

I was interested in finding if there is an equivalent

of the same in the Smartha tradition and if Acharya

Shankara has said anything about "Samasrayanam".

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

 

In the advaita tradition, the equivalent of 'samasrayanam'

would be the Guru's acceptance of a disciple on the basis of the

latter's 'saadhanaa chatushhTaya sampatti' :

viveka;

vairaagya;

shamaadi-shhaTka {shama, dama, uparati, titikshaa, samaadhaana,

shraddha}; and

mumukshutvam.

 

This is the starting point of learning Brahmasutras.

 

The purificatory rites for entering sannyaasa aashrama are

spelled out in the Mahanarayana Upanishad: virajaa homa & trisuparna

mantras.

 

 

Regards,

 

s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

advaitin, Padmashree Mohan <padmashreem> wrote:

> Hari Om:

>

> Here is what little I know about "Samasrayanam".

>

> SamAshrayanam means 'to approach (AchAryA) with all

> sincerity'. In a nut shell, during 'SamAshrayanam',

> the AchAryA initiates a person, irrespective of caste,

> creed or sex, as his sishyA. It is a commitment from

> the disciple that he or she will live as per the

> wishes of the AchAryA. Thus the person gets the link

> to the tradition.

>

> During SamAshrayanam in the Sri Vaishnava tradition,

> Pancha SamskAram (five Purifications) is performed.

>

> The five samskArams and its main purposes are:

>

> 1. thApam: To emboss the impressions of heated Sankha

> and ChakrA on the arms (near the shoulders).

>

> 2. pundram: To wear the dvAdasa Urdhva pundram (12

> Thiruman & Srichoornam).

>

> 3. nAmam: To be christened by the AchAryA afresh with

> addition of 'dAsA'at the end of ones name to indicate

> that one is forever a servant of the Supreme Lord.

>

> 4. manthram: To get the initiation of "Rahasya Traya

> MantrAs" - AshtAksharam, Dvayam and charama slokam.

>

> 5. Ijyai: To learn the worship of the lord.

>

> I was interested in finding if there is an equivalent

> of the same in the Smartha tradition and if Acharya

> Shankara has said anything about "Samasrayanam".