Sri - Vaishnavam Concepts

Sri LakshmiNrusimha Paduka Sevaka Srivan Satakopa Naarayana Yateendra Mahadesigan Thiruvadigaale Saranam
Sri Srivan Satakopa Ranganatha Yateendra Mahadesigan Thiruvadigaale Saranam

Sarva Dharmaan Paritjanya Mam ekam Saranam Vrajaha:
Aham Tvam Sarva Papeyo Mokshayishyaami. Maa Sucha


The above sloka is one of the most important sloka in Sri-Vaishnavam. It is called as Charama sloka and is one of the Rahasya Traya along with Tirumantiram and Dwaya Maha mantram. It was in middle of Kurushetra, Krishna uttered this maha mantra by touching his heart.

It is the same Krishna in the form of Hastigiri Varadaraja Perumal who laid out six principles for Sri-vaishnavam. These six principles provide us the same meaning of the Charama sloka which formed the basis of Sri-vaishnavam philosophy.

When Ramanuja was attempting to write a commentary for his magnum opus work of Sri-Bhashyam, Lord Varadaraja instructed Thirukacchi Nambigal to teach six principles of Sri-Vaishnavam to Ramanuja. They are as follows

1. Ahameva Param Tatvam
2. Darsanam Bhedam Eva Cha
3. Upayeshu Prapatisyat
4. Anthima Smruthi Varjanam
5. Dehaavasaane Mukthisyat
6. achaaryam Samaasraya

Ahameva Param Tatvam

Ahameva – I am
Para – Supreme, Unparalleled, Unsurpassed
Tatvam – Reality

This is the first of the six slokas which Lord Varadaraja told Kanchi poorna (Thirukachi Nambi). Bhagavan in Gita says, People worship demigods, but whatever they offer to the demigods I am indirectly the receiver. All demigods have certain power but they cannot offer Moksha. Moksha will be offered by Sriman Narayanaa only.
It is Sriman Narayana who is Para Vasudeva and the Brahman or Purusha. Therefore, a Sri Vaishnava worships only the Paramporul Sriman Narayana who is antaryaami.

Darsanam Bhedam Eva Cha

All chit and achit tatvams are part of his body and he is the soul. This is being said in the Upanishads and Brahma sutra as well. Brahmam has all the chit (which possess Jnana) and achit (which doesn’t possess knowledge) within itself and he is the soul. The example given here is that of a peacock. A peacock has feathers all over its body and when it wants to dance during rain, it opens up its feathers and dances and when it wants to stop,it retracts back its feathers. In the same way, Sriman Narayana expands his body when he wants to create and then contracts within himself once he thinks it is a time for Pralaya.

Upayeshu Prapatisyat

Sastras talk about three concepts. Tatva, Hita and Purushaartha.

Tatva – Reality
Purushaartha – Goal which needs to be achieved
Hita – The way or method to achieve the Goal

Tatva here is nothing but Sriman Narayaana.He is the ultimate reality and the one who needs to be meditated upon.

Purushaartha – is reaching Sriman Narayaana in Paramapada. This is the goal of every Jeevatma to reach paramapada

Hita – means to achieve this goal. There are lot of ways to reach paramapada. They are Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, gnana Yoga. But these three Yogas are very difficult to practise in this current lifestyle. Therefore, Krishna himself says the Charama sloka to make Baddha atmas like us to perform prappati or saranagathi. Therefore, in this Yuga, Saranaagathi is the easiest way to get moksha.

Anthima Smruthi Varjanam

Does a Jeevatma need to contemplate on lord during his final breath? Not necessary. But there are two schools of thought who say one needs to contemplate and another says that a jeevatma need not contemplate on lord. Once a person does Saranagathi on lord then Vaikuntam is confirmed for him. It doesn’t matter if he contemplates on Lord during the end of life.

Dehaavasane Muktisyaat

There are two types of Mumukshu’s. One who wants Mukti in an instant he surrendered completely to the lord and the other type where the Jeevatma acquires Mukti at the end of this life. In both the cases, Bhagavan clears the Sanchitha Karma but the Jeevatma who pleaded for mukti at the end of this life would still be bound by Prarabhda Karma. This Prarbhda Karma is not a big thing for this Jeevatma as he is already surrendered to the divine feet of Lord. Therefore, lord is very happy to give Mukti to the Jeevatma.

Achaaryam Samaasraya
This was told to Thirukkachi nambi that Ramanuja should be taken to Peria Nambi to initiate him to Sri Vaishnavam. This is not only for Ramanuja but also for Baddha atma like us. We need to find an acharya who would be kind enough to teach us the Rahasyas Trayas and the Dwaya Mantram. Ultimately, we need to perform Saranagathi to him and get the full blessings of Sriyapathi and Sri Mahalakshmi.
Adiyen is still learning Sri Vaishnavam. If there are any mistakes, kindly correct Adiyen..
Azhwar Emperumanaar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam

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