Can Srivaishnava-s wear rings (on hands) studded/decorated with gemstones?
Vidwan’s reply:
Srivaishnava-s can wear rings decorated with gemstones on the fingers of the hand. It was also a practice of the elders.
Adiyen is a Telugu Brahmin. Only recently have started traveling on the path of Bhagavad Ramanujacharya sampradayam. Adiyen desires to live as a Srivaishnava. To the best of adiyen’s abilities, follow Sirvaishnava Ahara Niyamam (dietary stipulations followed by Srivaishnavas). But in the days to come, have to undertake frequent travel to other countries. Vegetarian food is available in those countries, but do not know whether vegetarian food does not include prohibited substances such as onions and garlic. Kindly advise what to do in such instances.
Vidwan’s reply:
While traveling to foreign countries, when we come to know that food fit for our consumption is not available, as far as possible, it is better to cook food on our own. Self-cooking enables us to avoid those food items that are prohibited. If it is not possible, it seems food items that do not contain onions and garlic are available. Paying attention to the ingredients, one can try to partake those that do not contain prohibited food substances. To reiterate, it is better to prepare one’s food, wherever one may be. Only then can we follow the requirements of Ahara Niyamam.
Adiyen lives in the US and always adorns Thirumannkappu even while going out; some ask what Thirumannkappu is; how do I explain it to them?
Some ask whether I belong to ISKCON looking at my Thirumannkappu; how to explain that adiyen is a Srivaishnava and the difference between us and them?
Vidwan’s reply:
Thirumannkappu is the divine symbol signifying the holy feet of Perumal; we are proud and happy to adorn his symbol as it pleases Emperuman.
Generally, westerners have the tattoo culture, of painting tattoos on their bodies; but nobody seems to question them; even if some question them, they say it suits them and are happy to wear tattoos. If somebody questions us on Thirumannkappu, we shall also reply with pride that we are happy to adorn it as it is for the pleasure of our Lord.
We can clarify that we do not belong to ISKCON and that there are philosophical differences between us Srivaishanava-s and ISKCON; if they are aware of philosophical differences then they would not question us; so it is better to tell them just philosophical differences and leave it at that.
Should the followers of Munitraya sampradayam observe fast during Srijayanthi, Sriramanavami, Sri Narasimha jayanthi and partake food the next day like dwadasi paranai that is cooking food without tamarind and partaking agathi keerai, nellikai and sunadakkai?
Vidwan’s reply:
Yes, followers of Munitraya sampradaym should observe fast like Ekadasi during Srijayanthi, Sriramanavami, Sri Narasimha jayanthi and observe dwadasi paranai the next day by partaking agathi keerai, neelikai and sundakkai in their food which must not contain tamarind.
Can we make millets upma instead of rice upma during Ekadasi?
Vidwan’s reply:
Yes, one can prepare upma with prescribed millets during Ekadasi.
How many days does a disciple observe theetu when an Acharya attains Paramapadam?
Vidwan’s reply:
If the disciple is related physically to the Acharyan, then theetu should be observed as per the usual norms applicable to a physical relative.
Even if the disciple is not physically related but
If Acaryan is a Gruhasthan (Family man), one has to observe one-day theetu as per the practice.
If the Acarya happens to be a yati or saint then there is no theetu for the disciple.
Few doubts
Having consulted the family priest, the eldest son-in-law performed final rites as the deceased does not have a son on their own, though they have a grandson; yet he could not perform the rites as he is at school.
Will there be an annual ceremony for parents who have only daughters? After my father’s demise, we accept kaipul (darbha grass) from my mother and perform the annual ceremony; what is the procedure after the demise of my mother?
It is said that the sins and virtues of a grandfather pass on to the next generation; but how can the grandfather be punished for his wrongs when he is not alive? It is hard for the sons and grandsons to undergo punishments for wrongdoings.
It is fate that one has to be born to a particular parent; similarly is it fate that one gets married to a particular person or is it a relation that continues from the past?
Vidwan’s reply:
Scriptures have listed who can perform rites for one who has no son. If there is no son, then the daughter’s son is eligible foremost to perform rituals; if he is not available, the son-in-law can perform the rituals by getting the grass from the daughter of the demised as the daughter is the kartha here.
The grandson can perform the annual ceremony if there is no son in the family; if there is no grandson, then the son-in-law can perform the ceremony by accepting the darbha from the daughter of the deceased. When the son-in-law does so, it becomes his duty to do it every year.
The karmic effects of a grandfather’s sins or virtues do not directly pass on to the next generation; we undergo experiences as per our karmic effects. We also get associated with each other through karma. When a grandfather passes away after committing sins it is not a must that the sons or grandsons acquire his sins. He has to undergo whatever he has done. It is due to the effect of karma that the son or grandson takes birth by being related to him. The effects of karma are real, and one has to undergo the effects as per one’s karma, hence the birth.
Any physical relation is according to one’s karma including husband and wife. Emperuman associates each one as per their karmic bond and it takes effect accordingly.
How can we explain panchasamaskaram in simple terms? Can we say it is a ritual of Srivaishnava-s?
Adiyen’s sambandhi belongs to Thenkalai sect and they are svayamacharya-s; but, they have not performed panchasamskaram; adiyen’s daughter, son in law and grandchildren are desirous of performing it but the elders of their household prohibit them. How to make them understand?
Is it appropriate to prevent others from becoming a Srivaishnava?
They refuse to acknowledge that Prapatti is the means to attain Emperuman; can adiyen request my preceptor to make them perform prapatti without undergoing panchasamskaram?
In the Thenkalai tradition, do they perform also prapatti along with panchasamaskaram?
Vidwan’s reply:
Panchasamaskaram can be termed as a ritual; samaskaram means refinement, and it grants the eligibility to perform the ritual. Panchasamaskaram grants the eligibility to serve Emperuman.
We acquire the eligibility to serve Bhagavan through Panchasamaskaram. Why should we serve Bhagavan? Because he is our goal. One has to serve Emperuman like a wife serving her husband. We should serve lovingly and with the thought that we are born to serve. We should serve to his pleasure, hence panchasamaskaram.
Materialistically speaking, when a favorite person visits our house, we cook his favorite food and we earn the required things to cook the food with care. Similarly, Bhagavan is our favorite, to serve him with care we have to make ourselves eligible through panchasamaskaram.
It is certainly wrong to prevent others from becoming a Srivaishanava.
With Acaryan’s permission, one can render prapatti without panchasamaskaram but follow the ordains of Acarya.
It is said that as per Tenkalai tradition, prapatti is done along with panchasamskaram. We need not assess whether Thenkalai sect performs prapatti along with panchasamaskaram.
Please explain what to follow if a shraddha occurs during Dwadasi?
Vidwan’s reply:
If a shraddha occurs during Dwadasi, shraddha food should be cooked.
Some households cook food on Dwadasi and offer the food to the bhogtas and after seeking their permission the kartha also partakes the same.
In a few other houses, only shraddha food is cooked. so one can follow whatever the practice of the concerned house.
Can we cook vegetables that were cut the previous day or before taking a bath ad offer it to Emperuman?
Vidwan’s reply:
On ordinary days the vegetables that are cut the previous day or before taking a bath can be washed in good water after taking a bath and can be used but during Amavasyai and Maasa pirappu avoid using such vegetables.
During Dwadasi one can wash the vegetables cut the previous day and use them.
Normally it is stated after eating, a bit of food should be left on the leaf; should we who are not bhogtas leave some food even on shraddha day?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is not wrong if we leave some food on the leaf on a shraddha day but it is better to follow the practice of the concerned house.
What are the rules and sankalpam to be observed while taking bath? Does taking bath include head bath also?
Vidwan’s reply:
During everyday bath one has to do achamana, pranayama, chant that day’s tithi, and star, then chant ‘karmanyatA sidhhyarthaM prAtaH snAnaM ahaM kariSyE’ and take a bath.
Generally, taking a bath includes a head bath.
Brahamacharis need not take a head bath every day.
Taking a bath implies a head bath too but if it is not possible there are subdivisions to it.
For example, when we do not feel well, taking a bath until the neck is permissible.
During Amavasyai, if the food is not ready for Perumal Tiruvaradhanam, can we perform Pitru tharpanam and then proceed to do Tiruvaradhanam?
Vidwan’s reply:
During Amavasyai, whatever food is ready one can offer it to Perumal, complete Tiruvaradhanam and proceed to perform vaivashvadevam, tharpanam and then offer the remaining food to Perumal.
Can we place the Sudarshana yantram given by the temple at home’s sanctum of Perumal?
Vidwan’s reply:
Yes, Sudarshana yantram obtained from the temple can be kept at home’s Perumal sanctum.
Are men considered impure (theetu/vizhuppu) until they take a bath and do pratha sandhya?
Vidwan’s reply:
Yes, it is considered impure until one takes a bath; performance pratha sandhya is not considered a purification ritual, but taking a bath is crucial.
Notes:
There are differences between theetu and vizhuppu.
Vizhuppu means not to touch others or anything, removal of old clothes that were worn the previous day after waking up; the cloth that was worn the previous day is known as vizhuppu.
Theetu is more than vizhuppu; at times it happens like coming into contact with someone or something.
Can we adorn Thirumankappu on the forehead while observing ten day theetu for the deceased?
Can we do Gayathri and Sandhyavandhanam during that time?
Why should we not touch ulpathiram (vessels used for Perumal) and clothes during that period?
Vidwan’s reply:
Srichurnam can be adorned in the forehead preferably store-bought and not the consecrated srichurnam. A consecrated Srichurnam is prohibited during these times.
Sandhyavandhanam and Gayathri should be performed but without anganyaasam and karanyaasam.
Theetu means impurity; as the vessels that are used for Perumal should be kept pure hence using them is prohibited during theetu. Theetu is known as asaucam in Sanskrit. As we are impure during a theetu we should not use such vessels.
It is mandated that a brahmachari must start learning the Vedas as soon as his upanayanam is performed. Kindly explain the importance of why a brahmachari must learn Nyaayam, Meemaamsaa, Vyaakaranam, Vishishtadvaita principles, etc. Kindly also explain why one must learn the scriptures. In our sampradayam, can a girl child learn scriptures?
Vidwan’s reply:
A brahmachari who starts learning the Vedas as soon as the upanayanm is completed will be able to complete the Vedic studies within 15 years of age. While learning the Vedas, one must simultaneously learn basic Sanskrit. Learning Vedas implies learning it along with its components like Vyaakaranam, etc.
After learning all of these, one will be able to go on to Nyaaya Shastram, Vishishtadvaita Shastram, undergo kalakshepam, etc.
Undergoing upanayanam at the age of 7 will provide ample time to study all of these in detail.
The importance of learning Nyaayam, Meemaamsaa, Vyaakaranam, Vishishtadvaita principles, etc. – the scriptures ordain that one must learn the Vedas; moreover, only when one learns Nyaayam, Meemaamsaa, etc., can one understand completely Vishishtadvaitam – our tradition, our religion, our daily rituals, the duties of Acharya-s, etc.
Generally, in our tradition, girl children can recite stotras, Divya Prabandham, etc. It is not a practice to learn scriptures. These days, simpler scriptures such as Nyaayam are being taught. In this way, is it not wrong for them to learn Sahitya shastram and Alankara shastram.
Swami Desikan is said to be the incarnation of Gantai, the divine bell. Can we use the divine bell during padhukaradhanam of successive Acharyas (after Swami Desikan)?
Vidwan’s reply:
The divine bell is a nithyasuri who is present in Srivaikuntham. It was present even before the advent of Swami Desikan. The divine bell is used during Tiruvaradhanam of Perumal and also for Acarya-s Tiruvaradhanam.
In certain places during Acharya padhukaradhanam gantai is not used so clarify before doing so.
Have heard that the disciples of Sri Sannidhi will not chant Gayatri avahana mantra (mantra to invoke Gayatri Devi) during sandhyavandanam. Is there any specific reason for this?
Can prapanna-s recite Srirama Charitamaanas?
Vidwan’s reply:
It does not appear that Sri Sannidhi disciples do not recite Gayatri avahana mantra during sandhyavandanam. Everyone recites the Gayatri avahana mantra that starts with “AyAtu varadA devI..”.
As Srirama Charitamaanas is a bhakti kavyam, prapanna-s can recite it.
