Performance of Panchasamskaram

By resorting to an Āchārya and gaining his acceptance, the person will soon realize, by the grace of the Āchārya, true knowledge, non-attachment to worldly pleasures, and devotion to the Lord starts to bloom like a flower. In Srivaishṇava Sampradāyam, the panchasamskaram is the most crucial ceremony performed by the Āchārya. The Āchārya, out of compassion, without any expectations, accepts the disciple regardless of their caste or creed. The Āchārya then performs panchasamskaram, and then the disciple becomes a Sri Vaishṇava.

Being a Sri Vaishṇava is not determined by birth. This is the reason why one can see men and women from all communities and all walks of life as a Srivaishṇava.

The panchasamskaram, as the name suggests, consists of five samskarams, namely,

i) Tapa Samaskaram: The Āchārya embosses the impressions of the Panchajanya Shankam and the Sudharshana Chakram on the left and right arms of the disciple.

ii) Pundra Samskaram: The Āchārya makes the disciple aware of the places in the body where the upavyuha forms of the Lord Sriman Nārāyaṇa are to be worshipped. Each upavyuha-sthanam is represented by one of the twelve thiruman-kapu adorned by the disciple. The tiruman represents the Lord, whereas the Sricharnam represents Mahālakshmī. The worship of the Lord is performed by holding the hands in Anjali-mudra and reciting "Keshavaya Namaha" prefixed by the Pranava.

Similarly, Devī Mahālakshmī is worshipped, reciting "Sriyai Namaha" prefixed by the Pranava.

iii) Nama Samskaram: The Āchārya adds the suffix of dasan to the disciple's name, indicating the disciple is now an eternal servant to the Lord and Swami Rāmānujar.

iv) Mantra Samskaram: Of all the five samskarams performed, this is the most important without an iota of doubt. The mantras received when this samskaram is being delivered are together known as the Rahasya Trayam or the three divine secrets.

v) Yajña Samskaram: The Āchārya teaches the disciple the ways of Bhagavadh Ārādhana and the methods to perform Salagrama pooja.