SrI: SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesikaya nama: Dearest all, mantra samskAram- Learning from the Acharya the three esoteric mantras: The initiate learns the three Srivaishnava mantras ? ashtAksharam, Dwayam and Charama sloka with their invocatory verses. This is the most important samskAra. This should be performed with full devotion and dedication. These esoteric mantras are preserved as a secret treasure and are to be orally transmitted by the SadhAchArya to a deserving disciple who is initiated by him. In the ancient days, the mantra is never put in writing. It is to be kept secret and is orally imparted from the Teacher to sishya. The mantras contain a few majestic syllables or words are spiritual in chjarcter impregnated with philosophical implications. The chanting of such mantras associated with the names of Lord Narayana are supposed to secure the grace of God, through which one?s paapams are removed and thereby liberation of the soul from bondage is secured. In view of the spiritual value of these mantras, the initiation function is adopted by the purpose of imparting them to the deserving sishya by the Acharya. This is followed till date by Srivaishnava sadhAchAryas. Please read below Sri Anand Karalapakkam Swami?s wonderful supplement for enjoyment. Even though all the five samskArams are highly important, Mantra SamskAram is the most important amongst them. The Rahasya traya (3 secrets) mantrAs are initiated to the sishyA. They are the AshtAksharam, Dvayam and the Charama slokam. These are the TOP MOST ESSENCE OF ALL THE KNOWLEDGE. They are highly potent and have deep philosophical meanings. These are secrets and are highly precious. These are to be learnt from the AchAryA only. The sishyAs at any cost CANNOT tell these mantrAs (AshtAksharam and dvayam) to others, who haven't had samAshrayanam. Only the AchAryA who is eligible to perform samAshrayanam to others is entitled to initiate the sishyAs with these mantrAs. One should be very very fortunate to receive these mantrAs. The glories of these mantrAs have no bounds. The potency of the mantrAs work only when it is obtained from the AchAryA (paramparA). This is because, without getting the link to the paramparA, which is started by Sriman NArAyanA, one cannot obtain the benifits of the mantrA; rather it may lead to negative results also. PAdma purAnA says that "sampradAya - vihInA ye mantrAs te niShphalA matAhA" ie. "Unless mantrAs are initiated (by the AchAryA) through the sampradAyA, it has no effect". Anyone who wants to become the devotee of NArAyanA must get linked with the ParamparA. Sriman NArAyanA Himself has clearly laid out that the paramparA is the way through which one should approach Him. AshtAksharam (also known as Moola Mantra, Thiru Mantra) is extolled by great people like AzhwArs and Rishis. This mantra originated from Lord BadriNArAyanA of BadrinAth, chanted in Gayathri Chandas and is addressed to Sriman NArAyanA. Since this mantra is initiated by the Lord NArAyanA Himself, this is highly sacred. Infact NArAyanA initiated this AshtAksharam to Thirumangai AzhwAr also. This same AshtAksharam was initiated to pundarIkA and PrahlAdA by sage NAradA. Yogis practising Bhakti YogA, who were ever immersed in seeing the wonderful form of Sriman NArAyanA, used this secret AshtAkshara mantram as the key to their success of God-Realisation (ie. realising NArAyanA). AshtAkshara japam must be performed daily. AshtAkshara japam gives all benefits that one can derive from different mantrAs. More importantly, it facilitates the bondage between the person performing the japam and Sriman NArAyanA for SaranAgati (Prapatti). This highly sacred mantra has pranavam in the beginning. Vedic Scriptures strictly restrict the usage of pranavam. Only men of the first three varnAs are allowed to recite it. This pranavam cannot be used according to ones whims and fancy. Whenever it is referred in general public, it has to be addressed as pranavam only. One doesn't have the right to say this pranavam in public (unless it is a part of the recitation of VedAs for a particular ceremony etc). But, the same effect of AshtAksharam can be obtained by others by reciting 'um' instead of pranavam. Everyone can in fact chant 'Namo NArAyanA' aloud in public (without even undergoing Pancha SamskAram). Its a humble request to all the bhAgavathAs, that the chanting of 'Namo NArAyanA' be propagated allover the world. This is the real medicine for the suffering of all the living entities swirling in the whirlpool of SamsArA. Since this has no restriction, anyone can be made to chant this and the soul can be saved. Propagation of the Holy Names of NArAyanA (esp. "Namo NArAyanA") is the best service for the whole society, irrespective of caste, creed, sex etc. The Holy Name will then make all the necessary arrangements for the spiritual upliftment of others. Dvaya Mantram consists of two lines. It is eulogized as the 'Mantra RatnA' (Gem/Jewel amongst all the MantrAs). This helps one to perform SaranAgati unto Sriman NArAyanA. Once this mantrA is initiated by the AchAryA, it should be recited constantly within ourselves. It can be recited by the sishyA without bothering about time, place etc. In fact Dvayam should be dancing in the lips of all the SriVaishnavAs all the time. It is in fact an instruction from BhagavAn Ramanuja that Dvayam should be chanted for maximum time possible. Charama slokam is the famous 'Sarva DharmAn. . . . . "sloka of Srimad Bhagavad GitA. It is a secret because of its invaluable hidden truth. Sriman NArAyanA during His Krishna AvatArA did the Gita UpadesA to all the people through ArjunA. Since Bhakti YogA was highly difficult even for ArjunA, KrishnA out of His Mercy asked him (all the people) to perform 'Prapatti', as a means of God-Realisation. And all these recitations are to be carried out as a kainkaryam (service) to the Divya Dampati with the understanding that it is the ocean of dayA of Sriman NArAyanA that was responsible for him to be selected as an instrument in performing the kainkaryam i.e. Sriman NArAyanA is the actual doer. These services should be done for Lords pleasure and the fruits of these services are to be submitted to nArAyanA. Also one should do the duties (like SandhyA Vandanam, Bhagavad ArAdhanam etc) according to his varnA and AshramA, in the same spirit of kainkaryam to the Divya Dampati (Divine Couple) as mentioned above. Daily recitals of these mantrAs [as part of SandhyAvandhanams] are highly essential and a Sri VaishnavA should be immersed in these mantras and its meanings. AsmadhAchArya paryanthAm vandhE GuruparamparAm Regards Namo Narayana dasan __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! 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