The samashrayana () or the panchasamskara () is a Hindu sacrament generally associated with the

Sri Vaishnava Sri Vaishnavism () is a denomination within the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism, predominantly practiced in South India. The name refers to goddess Lakshmi (also known as Sri), as well as a prefix that means "sacred, revered", and the god V ...

tradition. It consists of five rites of initiation performed by a shishya (disciple) to be formally initiated into the tradition by an

acharya In Indian religions and society, an ''acharya'' (Sanskrit: आचार्य, IAST: ; Pali: ''ācariya'') is a religious teacher in Hinduism and Buddhism and a spiritual guide to Hindus and Buddhists. The designation has different meanings i ...

(preceptor).

Etymology

''Samāśrayaṇam'' is

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...

for, "taking refuge with God".

Description

The samashryana consists of the five rites according to Sri Vaishnava tradition: # ''Tapa'' - The embossing of the impression of Vishnu's

Sudarshana Chakra The Sudarshana Chakra (, ) is a divine discus, attributed to Vishnu in the Hindu scriptures. The Sudarshana Chakra is generally portrayed on the right rear hand of the four hands of Vishnu, who also holds the Panchajanya (conch), the Kaumodak ...

(discus) on the right shoulder of the initiate and the Panchajanya (conch) on the left shoulder of the initiate. # ''Puṇḍra'' - The application of the Vaishnava

tilaka In Hinduism, the tilaka (), colloquially known as a tika, is a mark worn usually on the forehead, at the point of the Ajna, ''ajna chakra'' (third eye or spiritual eye) and sometimes other parts of the body such as the neck, hand, chest, or the ...

, the

urdhva pundra The Urdhva Pundra () is a tilak, tilaka worn by Vaishnavites, Vaishnavas as an indication of their affiliation with Vishnu. It is generally worn on the forehead, but may also be worn on other parts of the body such as the shoulders. The markings ...

, on twelve sacred locations of the body associated with Vishnu. # ''Nāma'' - The introduction of the suffix ''dasan'' (servant) to the initiate's new name, offered by the preceptor. # ''Mantra'' - The teaching of the Ashtakshara mantra and other sacred Vaishnava incantations. # ''Yajña'' - The instruction of the proper method of worshipping God.

References

Vaishnavism Hindu philosophical concepts Sri Vaishnavism {{DEFAULTSORT:Samashrayana