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
>
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