Qualities of a vaishnava

I listened to the pravachanam of Velukudi krishnan swamigal on what are the qualities of a Vaishnava. Here is what I learnt.

On the day of Panguni Uttaram when Rangnayaki thaayar and Ranganatha Swami come together on the same platform, Ramanujar, went and pleases with thaayar and then to Perumal.


He said, “Whatever sins there are, I have done all - what the Vedas said don’t do, I have made sure that I did them, and what the Vedas prescribed that I must do, I ensured that I didn’t. I have done bhaagavatha apachara, also bhagavatha apachara, asakhya apachara - offending everyone for no cause. I have been collecting all these sins over so many births. I don’t deserve any of what you have given me, but forgive me all the sins that I have done, am doing and will be doing. “ The Lord was pleased to grant Ramanuja this boon. Then Ramanuja asked, “ Please give me para bhakti, para gyana, parama bhakti.” The Lord smiled and granted Ramanujar this boon too. When asked what else he wanted, Ramanujar asked for Moksham or Liberation. The Lord granted him this too and said that at the right time, he would come to Vaikuntham. Yet Ramanujar waited uneasily. "Now what?", asked Ranganathar. Ramanujar said, “It is not enough for me alone to get moksham - I want moksham for all my followers too. ” The lord was not willing to give such a blanket order and asked Ramanujar as to how he would know who Ramanujar's followers were and how could he identify them. Ramanujar then assured The Lord that his followers will be identified by a Code of conduct that will ensure a fool-proof system of identifying them. The Lord then readily granted this boon out of love and affection fro Ramanuja and said "for as long as the world exists, all your followers will be given moksham" He also named Ramanuja as Uadayavar – the owner of the 2 vibhutis of the Lord – Nitya Lokam (Sri Vaikuntam) & Leela Vibhuti ( 14 lokas ) – since he bestowed on Ramanuja the right to decide who should be given moksha.


Ramanujar immediately installed 74 simhasanadipatis - these Pidhadhipatis would have the right to administer the Panchasamskara to identify who should be the followers of Ramanuja. (explained below). The Lord was then told that all the vaishnavas identified by the simahsanadipatis should be identified as Ramanuja’s followers and be given moksham regardless of all their sins.


Before we proceed –


 We don’t normally go out and select our acharyas ourselves, but take on the acharya to which our forefathers belong. Most of us would belong to one of the 74 simhasanadhipathis.


 Anyone can be a Vaishnava i.e. a Ramanuja dasan to become eligible for moksham. There is no discretion on any parameter to become eligible to become Ramanuja dasan. Anyone can seek this.


The Marks of a Vaishanava

As laid down by Ramanuja, the marks of a vaishnava must be given to a jiva at the earliest – can be as early as 7 years of age. This is provides an antidote to the sansara bonds like how immunization helps protect a child even though she doesn’t know why she is getting the shots. The child need not understand the process at that time. Regardless it helps her to be related to the Lord as early as possible. This is essential since this life time is limited and none of us know how much time we have. If we die before we get ordained as a vaishnava, we would have lost a golden opportunity to seek moksham.

As prescribed by Ramanujar, a code of conduct exists for Vaishnavas. These are some external and internal marks which identify him as the followers of Ramanuja:

External Marks of a Vaishanava:

1. Since Tulasi is very dear to our Narayana Perumal, wearing the tulasi mala is the 1st sign


2. Panchasamskara


a) Tapa (insignia) - Getting the samascharanam done on our forearms, where the shankam and chakram of the Lord are marked on us. This identifies us as Narayana’s dasas.


b) Pundra - Wearing the 12 urdhva pundras on 12 different parts of the body


c) Nama - Change to vaishnava name – Till the time we become his dasas, we are called as sarma, verma, gupta & dasa - based on the varna we come from. Eg Brahmins will add the suffix sarma to their name, vaisyas will add gupta to their name etc. Once we get the samascharanam done, we all become his dasas and hence the only suffix we now add to our name is ramanuja dasan, We still have to follow our varna ashrama dharma or duties, but we are all seen as equal followers of Ramanuja. So, both “Raghavan Sarman” and “Raghava Gupta” will now become “Adiyen Raghavan Ramanuja dasan”.


d) Nama( knowing the Rahsya-triya)


(i) Tirumantaram – being given upadesam of the Tirumantaram “Om Namo Narayana”. It is not enough to know the mantram but also one must know its real meaning - when broken down, it defines that “I am narayana’s dasan alone”,


(ii) Dwayam – This is the dual chant “Om Narayana


Saranou Saranam Prabathe - Srimathe Narayanaya Namaha” – The meaning of this is that “I surrender (Saranagati) completely to your feet” The Lord then asks what should I grant you, to which we reply “ Give me service to your (narayana’s) lotus feet.” With this a vaishnava renounces all his material wants and seeks only spiritual liberation.


(iii) Charama Slokam This is the 66th slokam in 18th chapter – “Sarva Dharman Parithajya Ma Mekam Saranam Vraja” It helps us to remember, that his feet are our only refuge.


Only if we master this Rahasya-triya, understand this and have complete faith in it completely, are we eligible to do thiruvaaradhana for Perumal


e) Yaga - Tiruvaradhana kramam to be performed daily


This Panchasamsakara now qualifies me to become a follower of Ramanuja and seek moksha.


How does this happen?


Now that we have the external marks, we are ready to be linked to the eternal garland of acharyas called as Sri Vaishnava Guru Parampara – This is a garland of acharyas in the following order - Narayana – Mahalakshmi – Vishvaksena - Nammalvar- Nathamuni – Uzhakondar – Mannakal Nambi – Yamunacharya (Alavandar)- Periya Nambi - Ramanuja- 74 Simhasanadhipatis (we belong in lineage to one of these 74)

Having introduced us to the Panchasamskaras, our guru turns towards Perumal . He tells him , “ This jiva wants to have Ramanuja sambandham since he believes that Ramanuja alone can lead him, to moksham and your feet. He believes that he cannot be pardoned for all his sins and hence needs this anugraham from Ramanujam. This jiva believes that I can give him the Ramanuja sambandham since I myself belong to Him.” Having introduced the jiva thus, the Acharya then requests the lord to show compassion and give us moksha due to our connection to ramanuja. He reminds the lord of his promise to Ramanuja more than 1000 years ago to give moksha to all ramanuja followers. Thus we become eligible for moksham.


Now we need to work on Internal marks of a Vaishanava


A vaishnava :


1. Helps all people in need – He cant see another's pain. He understands that all the jivas are related to lord. This is irrespective of any differences. He doesn’t wait to see who the jiva is- what form, caste, sex, creed or whether he deserves to be helped. He rushes to help any one who needs it. While offering help, we do not have the right to decide who is bhaagavtha or whether he deserves to be helped - all jivas are considered as bhaagavathas by a vaishnava


2. Never hurts or offends anyone in thought, word and deed – whether the lord or bhaagavatha. Remember all jivas are bhaagavathas. Hence Ahimsa is essential.


3. Renounces wants towards material benefits – focus on his permanent liberation


4. Holds on to Narayana's feet as his only refuge – A Vaishnava practises saranagati – He understands that we are all His property. Hence He will protect us and take care of all that we need. With this faith, a vaishnava makes no effort to protect or take care of his needs,


5. Has absolute faith that narayana will protect – He is completely confident that the Lord will certainly not leave him. That He will not abandon, That He will accept him ( vaishnava) as he is and will give him moksham. This faith is called Maha Vishvasam.


6. Is confident about getting srivaikuntam yet he longs for spiritual union, to go to vaikuntam and do service to the Lord. He laments and yearns for it since he feels that he does not deserve it.


Having thus surrendered a vaishnava is expected to pass his time fruitfully by


7. Visiting Divya desams since the Lord loves to be there. He loves the Lord and those desams.


8. Staying close to the Divya desam & living there.


9. Listens to the stories of the lord and the kshetra puranams as well as the attributes of the Lord of that desam


10. Does kainkaryam to bhagavan and bhaagavatha –this service includes temple and social & community service


11. Thinks & expresses about his negatives and positive attributes – He is therefore simple and humble.


12. Develops vairagyam – practises detachment from the material world. This means that he does his duties as service to the Lord. He believes that nothing belongs to him. He looks at all his duties, as if the people and wealth he has, belongs to the Lord and it has been bestowed on him as a duty to take care of. Hence he does it with an anxiety to do it well and please the Lord. To enhance detachment, a Vaishnava reduces material wealth and wants.


13. Doesn’t hate anyone,


14. Is friendly with everyone,


15. Shows compassion towards all


16. Serves his acharyas with devotion and faith


17. Has absolute faith in all 3 - the Trimantram, the Lord (Narayana) mentioned in the mantram and the Acharya who preached the mantram to you. This love and faith itself will lead us to moksham.


18. He seeks both Sama – Dama. This is the control of external senses and mind. Vaishnavas both are needed. This control of his senses and mind will help him to lead a pious life and practice the Vaishnava qualities