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SrI:
 
NamO VenkatEsAya:
 
Achaarya UpakAram
************************
Every ChEthanan has to approach the Saathvika-natured BhaagavathAs ,
move closely with them and gain an AchAryan with their help. Afterwards ,
the ChEthanan should pray to the SadAchAryan to point out the way
to Moksham. The SadAchAryan will respond by performing upadEsam on
the meanings of the important Tatthvams and ask the chEthanan not to swerve
from the observance of the Various VarnAsrama dharmams.The AchAryan will
imprint thereafter the Chakra and Sankham, the insignia of the Lord, on
the shoulders of the ChEthanam and perform ManthrOpadEsam .This is what is
known as the rites of SamAsrayaNam and Pancha SamskAram in the world.
This rite is the key observance to become a SrI VaishNava. This rite is common to
Ladies and people of all four VarNams. Without the benefits of this sacred rite ,
no one can become a SrI VishNavan.
 
During the time of SamAsrayaNam , the SadAchAryan will initiate the disciple
on the three manthrams --AshtAksharam , Dhvayam and Charama SlOkam --
with their meanings. The Sishyan should perform japam of these three manthrams
with reflections on their meanings.Afterwards , the SadAchAryan will bless
the Sishyan with KaalkshEpams to grow visEsha Jn~Anam about our Darsanam.
Finally , the SadAchAryan out of His infinite mercy will perform BharanyAsam/Prapatthi ,
where He will place the Jeevan of the ChEthanam at the sacred feet of the Lord , who
is the true owner of that Jeevan . The rites of SamAsrayaNam , KaalakshEpam and
Prapatthi might take place with the same SadAchAryan or with more tha one AchAryAs.
The AchAryAs do not exepct any thing in return for performing their invaluable help.
It is the same as the Mother Cow that blesses its calf with milk without expecting
anything in return . AchAryAs perform thes ecompassionate acts solely for the sake
of the ChEthanam's upliftment from the samsAric afflictions.This is thus an act of
indescribable mercy .
 
The Duties of the SishyAs
********************************
The SishyAs should consider and revere their AchAryan as the Lord Himself.
They should be grateful to Him for initiating them into the most secret manthrAs 
and their meanings handed thru Guru paramparA and recognize that they can not
pay back their AchAryan in any manner whatsoever for the great help given to them.
The sishyan should not waste the precious upadEsams through following paths that are
diamemetrically opposite to the UpadEsams of the AchAryan. The prime duties of 
the Sishyan is to glorify their AchAryans and to protect the Manthrams entrusted to
them from falling into the wrong hands. The sishyan should worship the AchAryan ,
meditate on the AchAryan's auspicious attributes , speak about His glories in public
and conduct uthsavams to celebrate His avathAra dinam. All of these still will not 
repay even in a small measure the greatestupakAram performed by the AchAryan.
 
Performance of KaalkshEpam
*************************************
There are four sacred texts that have to be learnt under the sacred feet of
the AchAryan: 
 
(1) SrImath BhAshyam created by AchArya RaamAnuja as commentary on
     the Brahma SoothrAs of Sage VyAsa
 
(2) SrI GithA BhAshyam authored by AchArya RaamAnuja as commentary on
     SrI Bhagavath GithA 
 
(3) SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram blessed to us by Swamy Desikan that
     is a MaNipravALa commentary on the three Rahasyams 
 
(4) Sri Bhagavath Vishayam , a precious commentary for Swamy  NammAzhwAr's
     ThiruvAimozhi by ThirukkuruhaippirAn PiLLAn , a direct disciple of AchArya 
     RaamAnujA.
 
These are known as Grantha ChAthushtyam orthe four sacred texts.
 
Prior to KaalakshEpam of the above four SrI Sookthis, familiarity with
IthihAsams and PurANams would have been acquired to improve one's
discriminating intellect (VivEkam) and to qualify the sishyan to engage in
KaalakshEpam. One should learn the recital of the entire ThiruvAimozhi
from the AchAryan prior to KaalkshEpam on SrI Bhagavath Vishayam.
In addition to the Grantha ChAthushtayam ,the sishyan should learn
from the AchAryan additional AchArya SrI Sookthis and the traditional
intrepretations of their meanings according to their abilities.  Those who 
can not perform KaalakshEpams of the entire four granthams should 
atleast have KaalkshEpam of SrImath Rajasya Thraya Saaram of 
Swamy  Desikan. 
 
The Three Rahasyams
***************************
The first of the three is Thirumanthiram or AshtAksharam.It has 8 letters.
This is the most sacred among the ManthrAs. It has many special meanings.   
It has the power to confer all soubhAgyams. Ladies and the members of all
four VarNams can recite it. Ladies and themembers of the fourth VarNam have
to substitute PraNavam with "amm".
 
The second of the three rahasyams is Dhvayam with 25 letters. Our Lord 
blessed us with this manthram by uniting two separate vaakyams of Upanishad. 
Even utterance of this Dhvayam once would grant fruits all the way upto Moksham.
Such is its power . It can be recited by all.
 
The third of the three rahasyams is the Charama SlOkam with 32 letters.
This is found in the last chapter ( Charama adhyAyam ) of Bhagavad GithA.
It was blessed to us by the Lord's sacred speech . This manthram deals with
Prapatthi or Self-Surrender/Aathma nivEdhanam.
 
These three rahasyams have 3, 6 and 12 padhams respectively. AchArya initiates
the Sishyan into them during the time of SamAsrayaNam . The sishyan should then
perform Japam on them daily. The meanings of these three manthrams are covered
extensively in SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram of Swamy Desikan. In some of his
ChillaRai Rahasyams also , Swamy Desikan has covered the meanings of these
individual rahasyams ( Thirumanthira Churukku, Dhvaya Churukku and Charama 
slOka churukku).
 
In the next posting , adiyEn will cover the three Tatthvams ( ChEthanam , achEthanam
and Iswaran), Hitham or the means observedto gain Moksham ( Bhakthi and Prapatthi
Yogams ) and PurushArTam or the Supreme Goal of Life. 
 
(To be continued)
 
Swamy  Desikan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam 
Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan                  
 
 

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