The samashrayana () or the panchasamskara () is a Hindu sacrament generally associated with the Sri Vaishnava tradition. It consists of five rites of initiation performed by a shishya (disciple) to be formally initiated into the tradition by an acharya (preceptor).
Etymology
SamÃÂÃ
Ârayaá¹Âam is Sanskrit for, "taking refuge with God".
Description
The samashryana consists of the five rites according to Sri Vaishnava tradition:
- Tapa - The embossing of the impression of Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra (discus) on the right shoulder of the initiate and the Panchajanya (conch) on the left shoulder of the initiate.
- Puá¹Âá¸Âra - The application of the Vaishnava tilaka, the urdhva pundra, on twelve sacred locations of the body associated with Vishnu.
- NÃÂma - The introduction of the suffix dasan (servant) to the initiate's new name, offered by the preceptor.
- Mantra - The teaching of the Ashtakshara mantra and other sacred Vaishnava incantations.
- Yajña - The instruction of the proper method of worshipping God.
References