http://www.salagram.net/sstp-TempleGoersGuide.html#PanchaSamskaraIskcon he Guru just gives a talk on the basis of Vaishnava Sadachara Pancha Samskara Pancharatrik Diksha is anchored in five life altering
factors: tapah pundram tatha nama, mantro yagas cha panchamah (1) Austerity, (2) wearing the marks of Vishnu on one's body, such as 'tilak', or heat seals 'taptah-mudras' to identify the body as a temple of the Lord, (3) accepting a new name at the time of initiation, (4) chanting the glorification of the Lord in the form of the Lord's Holy name, the prescribed scripture, and the Deity (5) engaging in the performance of the 'Yuga dharma' or supreme sacrifice, and undergoing training to render service to the Deity and the devotees ? the mission of the Guru?s sampradaya. All of the five are interlinked; (2) pundram syad urdhva pundram tal 'Pundram' here means marking the body with sacred clay from such holy places as Dwaraka, Prayag, the banks of the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Pampa (Tungabhadra), Kaveri or from the soil from the sacred Tulasi plant, or from a place where the earth was dug with the tusks of a wild boar ? using that earth. By marking the body with 'Vaishnava tilak' or 'urdhva pundra' or the forms of the Lord's feet and weapons, such marks, worn out of humility, recognize that one's body is the temple of Lord Vishnu, that this body is the Lords' property and not otherwise. (3) Dasya naama - from this day on the disciple is known under the new name giving him/her the humble position as servant of Krishna. The acceptance of a new name here specifically indicates severing of ones' previous ideas and materialistic misconceptions. Sankha chakraady urdhva pundra "After initiation, the disciple's name must be changed to indicate that he is a servant of Lord Vishnu. The disciple should also immediately begin marking his body with tilaka, especially his forehead. These are spiritual marks, symptoms of a perfect Vaishnava". (Padma Purana, uttara khanda) - as quoted in the purport of ch.1 verse 208, Madhya lila, Sri Chaitanya Charitamrta Formerly dasyanama diksha was given by placement of a mandala on a vedi on the ground, each section of that mandala corresponding to different letters (ka, kha, ga gha, etc). The Acharya then gives a name Divinely inspired according to where a flower lands that is ceremonially thrown into the mandala by the guru for the disciple (there are variations of this too). Other systems applied the names to the disciple according to the Janma nakshatra padas as mentioned in shastra like Sat Kriya Sara Dipika, again Divinely inspired. Others again Divinely inspired to do so, chose a name for the disciple according to their nature, while others take the first name of the initiate and understanding that in his/her purva-ashram the parents gave the name by the Lord?s grace, and now is the time to purify that name giving. Of course those who were brought up in the Vedik culture being given nama-karanam samskara and a suitable Krishna conscious name still change their name symbolic of their change of status in life ? under father?s care, under guru?s care. (4) Upadeshyam - Mantra diksha - the fourth samskara is that one accepts the purified mantras of the guru parampara, which one now is part of and represents. This consists of the maha mantra being formally given to the disciple along with the Gayatri mantras (according to the disciple?s development and capacity for chanting or using them). namatra gaditam sadbhir As mentioned the word 'nama' means name, the change of name is external to help the internal change of heart to take place. The two support each other, as one submits oneself to change one's heart one must change one's name indicating that he is a servant of the Lord. All of the limbs of the panch samskara system reinforce each others? resolve for detachment from the material world and attachment to Krishna. (5) Yaagam / IjyA - The final samskara, Moreover this fifth limb is that by which the disciple submits themselves to training in the developmental culture of Krishna consciousness to serve the Lord according to one?s potential: salagramadi pujan yaga sabdena kathyate By the world 'yaga', the worship of the 'Saligram Sila' and other Deity forms of the Personality of Godhead are described, glorified and sung about in great joy in the association of like minded sadhus ? devotees as indicated by the fifth samskara of samashrayanam (panch samskaras). One does this by agreeing to accept one?s new life, a second birth, and therefore symbolically prostrates oneself at the feet of Sri Guru the representative of Lord Vishnu. Re-education into spiritual life-style reflects that of the symbol of self-surrender, upholds the first and the rest through the austerity of self-discipline. Such self discipline is sometimes referred to as the four regulative principles of freedom, for it frees us from material contamination as a doctor who is properly immunized can treat his patients. From this day on the disciple will accept formal vows (yam niyam ? does and don?ts) to refrain from activities that create or enforce the materialistic bodily concept of life, that I?m the enjoyer, proprietor, etc, of this world. (The principles and what they uphold - No illicit sexual activity ? cleanliness, No meat eating ? mercy; No intoxication ? austerity; No gambling ? time wasting and speculation) The acceptance of vows, which, by following strictly gives assistance to help immunize one from the influence of the material nature. So in this way, taking the system from references throughout the Puranas and other Vedik literatures, our Purva-acharyas (previous acharyas) performed the 'Vaishnava agama' of spiritual initiation for their disciples based on the Pancharatriki system. Having understood its purpose and function the disciples can now be properly initiated: Process: Guru calls each disciple close - disciples approach Sri Guru, and offer obeisances Satanga pranams audibly; for women (7 things touching ground - head, 2 hands, 2 knees, 2 feet), men offer full dandavats. Dakshina is now given to the guru. Guru asks if candidates will promise before the fire, the Deity and the Vaishnavas to follow the principles of Krishna consciousness; No meat eating, No illicit sexual connection, No intoxication, and No gambling. And to also chant a minimum of 16 rounds on their japa mala daily. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Oppiliappan-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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