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Ramanuja List Archive: Message 00039 Jan 2006

 
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PraNaams to all members,

   Just one other point of different between the Sri and Gaudiya 
traditions on the gaayatri mantra: I understand that in the Gaudiya 
tradition the gaayatri initiation usually takes place after 
initiation as a Vaishnava.  In most Iyengar families today, the 
initiation into gaayatri is performed before at the upanayanam 
ceremony, and initiation as a Vaishnava (samashrayanam) probably 
takes place later (although I don't know if it has to be done this 
way, it just seems to be traditional to do it this way round from 
what I've seen).

   My guess is that since Sri Vaishnavam tends to be viewed from the 
more traditional Indian caste context than Gaudiya Vaishnavam, 
initiation as a brahmin is seen as very important at a young age 
(perhaps for social reasons, also according to dharmashaastras it is 
best to perform upanayanam for brahmin 'born' children between 7 and 
16 years).  ISKCON on the other hand follow the policy of allowing 
gaayatri initiation to those who show the requisite brahminical 
qualities, after sufficiently testing their commitment (I know a 
Gaudiya devotee who is waiting to undergo his gaayatri initiation - 
he follows a very strict lifestyle indeed).

   In many ways I feel that had if I had been asked to follow such 
strict restrictions before gaayatri initiation as my Gaudiya friend 
is following, I would have failed dismally!  It does seem a bit sad 
that some 'Iyengars by name' (myself being the worst culprit) in our 
families almost get gaayatri initiation "for free", regardless of 
whether they then perform sandhyaavandanam or not, just because of 
social customs - whereas it is treated with deadly seriousness in 
Gaudiya Vaishnavism, despite not being restricted to 'birth 
brahmins'.  Certainly I feel that we, the Shri Vaishnava community, 
owe a great deal of respect to the Gaudiyas for reminding us of the 
importance of gaayatri in this context.

namO nArAyaNAya
aaNDaaL tiruvaDigaLe sharaNam

with praNAmams,
Ranjan

--- In ramanuja@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, pritesh patel <tesh_tel@xxxx> wrote:
>
> Jai Sri Krishna.
>    
>   As far as i am aware only the devotees who are given initaition 
by a Bonfide Guru can chant the Gayathri mantra.  I myself is un-
initated therefore i am only elegible to chant the Namo Narayanaya 
(without the Pranava (om) prefix).  I dont know what the view is by 
Srivaishanvas, but a Gaudiya vaishnava devotee told me that the 
Gayathri Mantra is very confidential and has great power thus only 
those who have proper Knowledge given by a Guru should chant it.  
>    
>   Today the Gayathri mantra is recorded on tape and listened and 
chanted  by everyone, but according to the scriptures this is not 
permited as it should be confidentialy taught to a trained person.  
As this mantra is a Great Vedic mantra, one can incure more sin by 
chanting it in a incorrect way.  However the Mantra where the Lords 
Name is directly chanted (such as Namo Narayanaya, Hare Krishna, Sri 
Krishna Sharanamma), does not have this effect.  We can recall the 
life of Sri Ramanuja, when he was given the Astakshari mantra (namo 
Narayanaya), we went to a temple tower ad loudly anounced it to all 
devotees as every human is permited to chant this maha mantra, 
However Sri Ramanuja did not announce the Gayathri in the same way.
>    
>   Jai Sri Krishna
> Hari R <harih13@xxxx> wrote:
>   Dear All 
> 
> Can the respected members let me know your thoughts on the holy 
Gayatri
> mantra.
> I try to practise this mantra every day and have experienced 
certain
> helpful results
> from the same. Eager to know about the thoughts of fellow 
practitioners
> of this great mantra.
> Also, if there are Vaishna texts that interpret the Gayatri, can 
the
> respected members
> enlighten me on the same.
> 
> regards,
> Hari 
> -- 
>   Harihara Krishnan
>   harih13@xxxx
> 
> -- 
> http://www.fastmail.fm - Accessible with your email software
>                           or over the web
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Azhvar EmberumAnAr JeeyAr ThiruvadigalE Saranam 
> http://www.vedics.net
> 
> 
> 
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