In Srivaishnava doctrine, one who has not undergone panchasamskaram is unfit to perform Tiruvaradhanam. Given this, how can one perform Perumal aradhanam without committing any offence until one undergoes panchasamskaram?
Vidwan’s reply:
One who has not undergone Panchasamskaram, must not perform Tiruvaradhanam and no Perumal aradhanam can be done until panchasamskaram. One can offer (Nivedanam) to Perumal, only when one has performed panchasamskaram because the Tiruvashtakshara mantra is part of the Nivedana mantra; Tiruvashtakshara mantra is imparted during panchasamskaram. It is difficult to perform Perumal Tiruvaradhanam until one has undergone panchasamskaram.
What is the method to conduct Sudarshana puja at homes? Happened to know through a discourse that it is beneficial to have a Sudarshana Yantram at home. If so, what metal must it be made of? What is the prescribed method to consecrate the Yantram?
What is the mantra to chant for Chakkarattazhvar? If Sudarshana Yantram is consecrated at home, are there any additional strictures that must be adhered to?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is beneficial to have Sudarshana Yantram at home. The metal that it must be made of and the method for consecration might be learned through those who conduct Sudarshana homam and elders.
There are two or three mantra-s available to chant for Chakkarattazhvar which can be learned through Acharya.
Yes, if Sudarshana Yantram is consecrated at home, there are additional strictures that one must follow. When touching the Yantram one must have utmost devotion; one must not touch the Yantram when tainted.
This is a query related to prasadam from a nearby temple at Chromepet. Adiyen hears to upanyasam-s and participating in Kalakshepam-s (Specifically those delivered by Sri Vasudevachar Svami) conducted by GSPK. As a result, has benefited immensely. Adiyen goes to the temple both in the mornings and evenings. The temple has the practice of leaving leftover prasadam (mostly rice-based preparations) outside the temple in the vessels that were used during the offering. The cows of the neighborhood eat directly from these vessels. Is this an appropriate practice? There is a possibility that stray dogs could also make contact with these vessels. Is this an appropriate conduct? It is of no avail even after I have taken this up issue with temple authorities. I am confused about whether to accept that prasadam; adiyen is afraid that accepting the prasadam might be improper conduct and not accepting temple prasadam is sinful. Kindly clarify.
Vidwan’s reply:
It is indeed not correct to place such vessels in this manner, especially if they can be touched by dogs. The temple should maintain the cleanliness of the vessels appropriately.
It appears that the prasadam can be placed in a vessel or bucket that is separate from the temple vessels.
The wife of my grandfather’s younger brother’s grandson has attained Paramapadam. How many days of asaucam for me? Should I perform kuzhi tarpanam? As it is about 20 years since I last met the deceased, kindly advise on the asaucam.
Vidwan’s reply:
10 days asaucam is applicable here and kuzhi tarpanam must be performed. Even if you have never met them or did not even know of them, the moment you become aware of the relationship, asaucam is applicable.
Can a male from Vishvamitra gothram marry a lady from Kausika gothram?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is not a practice for a male from Vishvamitra gothram to marry a lady from Kausika gothram.
I have heard that on the day of Kartikai deepam, one has to light a smaller version of sokkappanai at home before lighting up other lamps. For the sokkappanai can we use an earthen pot (Agal Vilakku) lamp with oil and use a wick made of thick strands (Gaadaathuni)?
Vidwan’s reply:
For sokkappanai at home, use a lamp with ghee, place paddy within cotton (in the form of a small ball), and place the wick on top. This is called sokkappanai.
My son’s mother-in-law attained Acharyan Tiruvadi 4 days ago. Can my son sit in the swami sthana during the sapindeekaranam?
Vidwan’s reply:
Your son can sit in the swami sthanam during the sapindeekaranam.
Can one go abroad after bharanyasam?
Vidwan’s reply:
Generally, one must not go abroad as per the shastra. So, one must not go abroad before or after bharanyasam.
We do not know the ancestral place of my husband. Nor do we know the ancestors’ family Perumal. Is there a means to worship our Kuladeivam? (Due to the grace of Acharya, adiyen has undergone bharanyasam).
Vidwan’s reply:
Emperuman Narayanan is the Kuladeivam. Alavandar says “stOSyAmI naH kuladhanaM kuladaivataM tat | pAdAravindamaravindavilOcanasya ||”. Since you have performed bharanyasam, it has been confirmed that Emperuman is the Kuladeivam.
Is it right to prostrate on the ground, or pay respects with folded hands to the body of a dead person? Or is it wrong? How to pay respects to a departed person?
Vidwan’s reply:
If the departed person is a Srivaishnava, one can certainly prostrate before the body.
It is said that the Owl is the vehicle of Thayar. Is there any basis (Pramanam) for this?
Vidwan’s reply:
Adiyen has not heard about this.
Must we leave all the Tulasi offered to Perumal during Tiruvaradhanam in the Kovil Azhvar? Or can we retain some for distributing as a prasadam for us and our family?
How to dispose of torn and worn Perumal vastram, torn and broken Perumal pictures and idols, and calendars with Perumal photos? I am reluctant to discard them in the garbage bin.
How to dispose of the darbha/kUrcha after amavasyai tarpanam?
Vidwan’s reply:
No need to keep all the Tulasi to Kovil Azhvar. We can retain some to be distributed as prasadam to others.
Perumal vastram, photos, etc. can be deposited at a place that is not accessible for walking.
The darbha/kUrcha used in amavasyai tarpanam can be deposited at the foot of a tree or in a bushs.
Why do the eyes of Utsava murti-s of thayar and Perumal appear as “closed”?
Why is tilakam adorned to the utsava murti of Perumal (Examples – Namperumal, Varadar, Sarangapani, Parthasarathy) instead of Thiruman?
In the processional palanquin of the utsava murti of Perumal and Thayar, what is the rationale behind the figure that looks like a bhootam?
Vidwan’s reply:
A ritual called Netronmeelanam would have been performed for the eyes of Perumal and Thayar utsava murti-s. Based on this, it means their eyes are opened. If they appear closed, it is only so because they are structured. Mostly, Netronmeelanam implies that eyes are open.
Thiruman is an identification mark that proclaims that we are servants of Bhagavan. In this context, we cannot offer Thiruman to Perumal. He cannot become HIS servant. Hence, Thiruman is an alankaram, a decorative instrument for Him.
Have not seen Bhootam in the palanquin. Usually, have seen the head of a lion, presenting a vision that Perumal is seated in a Simhasanam. Simhamam is considered superior, and this is a mark that reveals the superiority.
How to consecrate (PratiSTha) Srichurnam and Tulasi garland?
Vidwan’s reply:
At the backend of the “Gopala Desika Ahnika Grantham” the procedure to consecrate Srichurnam and Tulasi garland is provided. The book is available from the Utthamur Svami Trust. The vital requirement for Srichurnam consecration is Srisuktam. Follow the procedure from the said book.
Adiyen has few Srivaishnava friends, and they have the practice of worshipping Vinayaka and celebrating Vinayaka Chaturthi. They do not worship Vinayaka as Vishvaksenar. Is it appropriate to worship Vinayaka, son of Gauri, in our tradition?
Vidwan’s reply:
Vinayaka is not Vishvaksenar, both are different. No one worships Vinayaka as Vishvaksenar. Gajanana, who has an elephant face, is one of the members of Vishvaksenar’s celestial army! Hence, Srivaishnava-s need not celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi. It is not appropriate to worship Vinayaka in our tradition.
A prapanna having undergone bharanyasam, when should that person perform Prayaschitta (atonement) bharanyasam, and how? Is this a must?
Vidwan’s reply:
One who becomes aware of a sinful act committed can atone for that through the prayschitta prapatti. This is done at the ripe old age, when one suffers due to several sins and to remove the effects of those sins (to reduce the physical suffering).
This can be done if required. That is, when we realize that we have committed several sins as a result of which we suffer, we can perform prayschitta prapatti as an atonement.
