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    Introduction to Sri Vaisnavism

    Introduction to Sri Vaisnavism

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    The vaisnava community is divide into 4 lineages (sampradaya); Sri, Madhva, Vallbha and Nimbarka. Of these 4 lineages, Sri Vaisnavism is the oldest and perhaps the largest. However, this theological system had received little attention and remains unkown except to scholars. The only Vaisnava theistic school that has received attention in the west is the Hare Krsna movement ( aka Iskcon)

    Philosophical System

    The philosophical system of Sri Vaisnavism is known as Visistadvaita (Qualified non dualism). Its fundamental position is that the Supreme Reality is the Highest Personal God, possessing innumerable auspicious qualities and devoid of any inauspicious qualities. The individual soul is a spark of God and their consituitional position is to remain separate and subservient and completely dependent upon God's existence.

    The doctrine Prapatti (self surrender)

    In the 18th Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita Lord Krsna declares :

    sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja
    Aham tva sarva papebhyo moksayisyami ma suca

    Abandoning all other means (dharmas) take refuge in me alone:
    I will liberate thee from the effect of all sins, grieve not


    Prapatti (saranagati or surrender) is total resignation of oneself to God and relying upon His grace alone.

    Taking refugee of the Lord is the easiest way to God realisation and liberation. In the scriptures we find anecdotes of Prapatti performed by personalities like Gajendra, Jatayu, and Draupadi. There is no restriction as to time, place and states of purity.

    It is not merit, which is the operative cause of Grace but the sense of one's unworthiness and the inability to follow the three conventional yogas (Karma - Action, Jnana - Knowledge, Bhakti - Devotion). The Lord Himself is the means (upaya) as well as the end (upeya) and prapatti is the act of self-surrender to the Lord. Redemption is essentially a justification by faith and not works, although included in the act of self surrender is the resolution to perfect one's act as well.

    Role of Sri (Laksmi) - The Mediatrix

    In Srivaisnavism theology, the Supreme Person expresses His will to redeem by having a dual Spiritual Form - Narayana and Sri.

    Lord Narayana with perfect justice rules the universe but Laksmi (Sri) His eternal consort resides within His heart as the embodiment of Saving Grace. – The Universal Mother.

    The Lord dispenses justice in accordance with the merit and demerit of the soul and Laksmi through Her Beauty and Grace captivates the Lord and transforms His desire for justice (nigraha-sakti) into redemptive grace (anugraha-sakti) as She acts as a Mediatrix between the Lords and the jivas.

    The Lord too, is innately gracious, but His grace is an 'initial' grace (krpa), which is common to all beings. By virtue of this grace one is impelled to seek refuge in Him. But the grace of Sri is specific grace (prasada). It is the saving grace, the action of 'condescension' of the Divine into the realm of being, which permits the soul to be released.

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    Sri Vaisnava Lineage (Sampradaya)

    According to popular belief, the lineage (disciplic succession) of Sri Vaisnavism, originated from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sriman Narayana. He first revealed the doctrines of Sri Vaisnavism to His eternal consort Laksmi; She in turn revealed them to Visvak-sena the martial entourage of the Lord. He revealed them to Nammalvar (Satakopan), the first of the Alvars. And thus they have been handed down through a succession of spiritual masters knwon as acaryas, the 3 greatest of them being Natha muni, Yamunacarya and Ramanuja.

    Alvars and the Disciplic succession

    Srimad Bhagavatam Canto XI, chapter 5: verses 38 - 40

    The inhabitants of Satyā- and the other yugas, o King, want to take birth in Kali-yuga as in that time for sure, o great monarch, the devotees dedicated to Nārāyana are found left and right; especially in great numbers in the provinces of South India where those human beings who drink of the water of the rivers the Tāmraparnī, the Kritamālā, the Payasvinī, the extremely pious Kāverī, the Mahānadī and the Pratīcī, o lord of men, for the most part are pure-hearted devotees of the Supreme Lord Vāsudeva.

    The Bhagavatam has predicted that in the beginning of the present age, many devotees of Lord Vishnu would take birth on the bank of the river Tamraparani in Tamilnadu. They are said to be the 12 Alvars (saints), the pioneers of the devotional (bhakti) movement in India.

    The 12 Alvars composed hymns of devotion in the Tamil language, describing the revelations received from the Lord Himself. They are revered by the Sri Vaisnavas and their compositions have deeply influenced Sri Vaisnava theology.

    The later spiritual perceptors collected this hymns and compiled a canon called Nalayira Divya Prabandham (Dravida veda) consisiting of 4000 couplets. These compositions are not opposed to, but consistent with the sanskrit vedic revelation. the only difference is that the study of these vernacular texts are not restricted to any group, caste or gender and everyone is entitled to study them.

    Because it recognises the Sanskrit and Tamil revelations, Sri Vaisnavism is often known as Ubhaya Vedanta - Dual Vedanta.

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    Religious, Cultural and Social Aspects of Sri Vaisnavism

    Part 1

    Samasharayanam / Panca Samaskaram - The 5 Sacraments


    Any one can be a Sri Vaisnava regardless of race, caste, gender or religious affiliations. However, one has to undergo a formal ritual of initiation known as samasharayanam or panca samskaram. This is requirement prescribed in the vaisnava panca ratra agama text.

    The 5 sacraments adminsitered are as follows:

    1) Dasya nama - Initiated disciple given a 'spiritual' name of Vishnu, suffixed with the word dasa (servant) e.g Vishnu dasa.

    All vaisnavas are equal in the eyes of the Lord and there are no differences based on caste or social status. In the vedic arrangement dasa is a suffixed added to the sudhras, so amongs sri vaisnavas everyone is a servant and thus the entire society is one an equal level.

    2) Pundram- A sectarian mark which represents the feet of the Lord marked in white clay (tiruman) upon the forehead and 12 parts of the body. The centre line is drawn in red (sricuna) and represents Laksmi.

    3) Thapanam- Special branding on the shoulders of the conch (Panchajaya) and disc (Chakra) of Vishnu by the guru. This is intended to purify one from sins and render the body fit for devotional service. It marks one's for the life as a servant and the property of the Lord.

    4) Yaga- Learning to do ritualistic Deity worship.

    5) Mantra upadesa- Receiving the 3 sacred mantras (rahasya trayam) from the guru for daily recitation.

    One needs to seek a spiritual perceptor (acarya/guru) in order to be initiated into the Sampradayam. No knowledge is considered valid unless it comes from a guru who belongs to the lineage and actually lives and practices the spiritual life. There is nothing that can be added or substracted from the teachings of the great spiritual masters namely Ramanuja. Therefore all comtemporary acaryas must confine themselves to re-interpreting the teachings of Ramanuja to suit modern life - not inventing new doctrines.

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    Religious, Cultural and Social Aspects of Sri Vaisnavism

    Part 2

    Dawn of Devotion - Margazhi/Dhanur Month (15 Dec - 15 Jan)

    Lord Krishna proclaims in the Gita

    Masaanaam Margaseershohum - I am Margazhi, which clearly explains the greatness of this month.

    Thirupavai

    Of all the Alvars, only Andal has a cult like following among Sri Vaisnavas. During Margazhi month, Andal's composition - Thirupavai is recited in homes and temples at dawn.

    Thirupavai celebrates, a simple ritualistic observance, with 1 verse of the Thirupavai dedicated for each of the 30 days of the month.

    a) first 10 verses highlights the devotional observance,

    b) second 10 verses awakes the Lord's Grace

    c) last 10 verses highlights the goal of devotional service.

    Thirupavai verse 29

    In the early hours of the morning, we have come to worship You and praise Your golden lotus like feet.
    Born are we in the cowherd clan, You should not decline our service and homage.
    Harken O Govinda ! Not only for today do we seek the drum, but for ever more, seven times seven births, we would be one with You, and serve You and You alone; Change all our other desires O Lord !


    Andal's life story

    http://www.divyadesamonline.com/alwars/andal.asp

    Thirupavai verse 01


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    Religious, Cultural and Social Aspects of Sri Vaisnavism

    Part 3

    Dawn of Devotion - Margazhi/Dhanur Month (15 Dec - 15 Jan)


    Vaikunda Ekadesi

    The high point of the Margazhi month is the Vaikunda Ekadesi festival. Its a very holy day, spent in fasting, bhagavad kainkaryam (devotional service) and meditation of the Lord and His pastimes.

    Vaikunta Ekadasi is a grand 21 days celebration in Srirangam. Where, the festivities in the first 10 days are conducted during the day. And the 10 days following Ekadasi, are conducted during the night.

    Vaikunta Ekadasi, includes both day and night celebrations, and at pre-dawn all the assembled devotees in the temple pass through the symbolic Parama Pada Vaasal (gateway to the abode of Sriman Narayana).

    This day, also has a special significance as the first Alvar of the Sampradayam, Namalvar attained parama padam (the Lord's Abode) on this day.

    Vaikuntha Ekadasi @ Sri Rangam



    Thondaradipodi Alvar's pasuram on Sri Ranganatha

    http://<br /> http://www.youtube.co...eature=related

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    Senior Member Seasoned Hubber Arthi's Avatar
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    wow... happy to know about Sri Vaisnavism

    continue....
    Sarva dharman parithyajya mamekam sharanam vraja, aham thva sarvapapebhyo mokshayishyami ma suchaha

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    Senior Member Seasoned Hubber Arthi's Avatar
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    is Thapa samskara means samasanam???
    Sarva dharman parithyajya mamekam sharanam vraja, aham thva sarvapapebhyo mokshayishyami ma suchaha

  9. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by Arthi
    is Thapa samskara means samasanam???
    Samasharayanam includes thapa samskara. The write up on the 5 sacraments has been edited for clarity

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    Religious, Cultural and Social Aspects of Sri Vaisnavism

    Part 4

    Dawn of Devotion - Celebartions in Srivilliputhur


    In Srivilliputtur, Andal's birthplace, the margazhi celebrations are centred around Andal's Thirupavai, this include's a 8 day neeratu utsava with araiyar sevai and culminating in Andal's marriage.

    Araiyar Sevai, is a ritualistic visual enactment of the Alvars devotional expressions. This is quite similar to the othuvar tradition of saivism; except that araiyars utilise hand / facial gestures (abhinaya) with forward and backward step movements. This ritual was first instituted by Tirumangai alvar, but later discontinued due to sanskritisation of Vaisnavism in Taminadu. Later in the 8th century, Nathamuni reinstated this ritual back in the temples.

    Today, araiyar sevai is performed by the descendents of Natha muni in only 3 temples i.e Srivilliputtur, Azhwarthirunagari and Sri Rangam.

    Araiyar sevai



    Araiyar Sevai

    http://www.araiyar.com/

    Tirumangai Alvar

    http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/ka...irumangai.html

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    The community

    Iyengars

    Iyengar refers to one who is characterised by five attributes (Aindu angangal - 5 sacraments), and is independent of the person's caste. It refers to the philosophical affiliation of the adherent.

    However, in today reference it is taken to indicate brahmin as most of them are from the Brahmin caste.

    The 2 Branches (Kalais)

    The Sri vaisnava community can be divided into Vadagalai (Kanchipuram based) and Tengalai (Sri Rangam based) sects.

    Outwardly, the 2 sects differ only in the application of their sectarain marks.

    Vadagalais (Northerners) are distinguished by a while U line with a yellow central line.

    Tengalais (Southerners) are distinguished by a white Y with a red central line.

    Vadagalais, follow the teachings of the great Vedanta Desika. They place more stress on the Sanskrit tradition and the varnasrama system with the preservation of the caste status quo. They are inclined to believe in justification by work rather than by faith (markata nyaya).

    Tengalais influenced by the commentaries of Pillai Lokacarya and Manavalamaha muni lay greater stress on the vernacular Tamil tradition and are less concern with preserving the caste status quo. The emphasis is more on grace than on works (marjara nyaya)

    Apart from 18 major points of doctrinal disputes, the 2 branches have other minor differences, an e.g matter pertaining to prostration.

    Tengalais prostrate before the Lord once and mutual prostration is allowed irrespective of age, caste or sex including the guru and disciple.

    Vadagalais do it 3 times and prostration is allowed only to the guru , elders without mutual prostration.

    Hebbar and Mandyam Iyengars of Karnataka

    An unique community concenrated in Melkote, Mysore, Mandyam, Hassan districts in Southern Karnataka, whose orgin is not precise.

    One theory is that they are Jains converted to Sri vaisnavism along with their Hoysala King, during Ramanuja exile in Melkote (near Mysore).

    Another theory is that they are local Kannadigas converted by Ramanuja.

    Another possibility is that they are descendants of Ramanuja's disciples from Tamil Nadu who followed him during his exile.

    Most visible of Karnataka Iyengars are Mandyam Iyengars , who differ from other Karnataka Iyengars, who belong to the Tenkalai sect, while other Iyengars come from both.

    There is a sizeable Iyengar community hailing from Andra Pradesh, whose mother tongue is Telegu.

    Some common Iyengar words

    Perumal - Sriman Narayana/God
    Thayyar - Laksmi
    Thirumanjanam - Abhisekham
    Cevittu - Worship
    Kainkaryam - Service to God
    Sri Curnam - Vermillion
    Dadyodanam- Yogurt Rice
    Puliyotharai - Tamarind rice
    Thiru Kannamudu - Payasam
    Adiyen - At your Service
    Jeer - Tengalai Pontiff

    A clip on the Vairamudi (Diamond crown) Utsava in Melkote.

    Gives a glimpse of Melkote. From 5.00 min onwards shows the temple, receiving the Jeer of Melkote and the handing over of the crown by the district officials to the temple.


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