Tag Adi Shankara

What Is Pancharatra Of Sri Vaishnavism

Pancharatra is a system of mental attitude and worship followed by the Vaishnavites.

This has been popularized by Sri Ramanuja, Philosopher and Social Reformer of South India (11 A.D)

Vedic Thoughts contain Theology and Philosophy.

It has various thought streams, Non Dualism, Dualism, Qualified non dualism.Monotheism,Henotheism and Polytheism.

The purport of the Vedas is to provide the platform for individuals to evolve spiritually.

With this in mind, the Seers have shared their experiences and suggest ways of Realizing Reality or God.

The choice is left to the individual.

In The Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna, to wards the close of the Gita informs Arjuna,

'I have taught you that which is the secret among secrets.

Are your doubts dispelled?

Are you clear in your Mind?

Now that you heard Me, think according to your disposition, choose what is Best for you and follow'( Chapter 18)

Hinduism prescribes many a Route to realize God.

1.The Path of Physical and Spiritual exercise, Raja Yoga,

2.The Jnana Yoga, The Path of Knowledge,

3.The Karma Yoga, The Path of Action , and

4.The path of Devotion, Bhakti Yoga.

Any of these may be followed.

It depends on one's dispositions, Svabhava.

All the three Acharyas , Adi Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhvacharya take their premise from the three Mahavakyas,

'Aham Brahma' I Am Brahman, Reality.

'Tat Tvam Asi',You are That.

Soham Asmi 'He is That.

Interpretations of these Acharyas differ.While Shankara advocates Non Dualism, Ramanuja, The Qualified Non Dualism and Madva Dualism.

I had an interesting discussion with Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Swamiji of Sri Sringeri Mutt, who is my Guru, about 40 years back.

I asked him that if The Veda is the Ultimate Authority, and if all the three Acharyas have taken the same three Mahavakyas to found their systems, why there is a difference in their conclusions?

He replied,

Acharyas know that the dispositions of the Individuals vary.

You will be able to follow things that suits your Nature.And as the Vedas say the Truth is One, but it is spoken of as Many'

(Ekam Sat Vipra bahudha vadanti)

Therefore the Acharyas have provided different approaches to reach God.

One may follow any of these.

There is no question of what is Right and What is Wrong.

That is left to reason, which is useless in Spiritual Development.

You follow what suits you and do not bother.

You are here to realize Brahman, not to prove One is Right and another is wrong"

Of these three approaches, Vaishnavism places importance on The Bhakti Yoga. The Path of Devotion.

The path of devotion is the total surrender to God.

Ramanuja systematized the Bhakti Yoga and popularised the Pancharatra system.

What is Pancharatra?

Daily Worship of Five Deities Panchayatana Puja

There is another specific Puja where Deities representing the Five elements of Nature, Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether are worshiped daily .

This is to be performed in the morning.

As this Puja has Five Deities, this is called the Panchayatana Puja.

This was made popular by Adi Sankaracharya.

There is a misconception that only those who worship Siva alone can perform this.

it is wrong.

The reason for the prevalent view is that people mistake the term 'Smartha' means those who worship Siva.

Smartha is One who follows the Smriti, that which is retained by Memory, as against Sruthi that which heard(Vedas)

We have a hot of Smritis,

Narayan Smriti,

Smarta Smriti.

Manu Smriti,

Sukra Smriti. Bruhaspati Smriti.

All those who follow either of these my perform the Panchayatana Puja.

Sankaracharya systematized the worship into Six Systems, The Shan Mathas(read my post on this)

In the Panchayatana Puja,Subrahmanya is not included, but it may be included by having a small Silver Spear(Vel) or a small Silver Snake Idol.

The Sankalpa depends on one's desires.

The best sankalpa is praying for the welfare of all beings, living and non Living.

The mantras for each Devata may be Astothra .

Sahasranama is time-consuming.

The Five elements and the represented Murthis.

Akasa -Ether/Space-Vishnu.

Agni-Fie-Ambika.

Vayu, Air-Aditya.

Prithvi, Earth-Siva.

Jala, Water -Ganapati

Here on may find the Vedic representation of the principles of nature.

This may sound slightly different as Aditya represents Vayu, while Vishnu who is normally associated with Prithvi is seen representing Space as Vishnu is an Amsa of Parama Purusha who represents Space as well