The Srivaisnava Way of Life: The Value of Initiation (Pancasamskara) in the Art of Liberation

Indian culture is inseparably linked with philosophy and religion. The art of ritual, no matter how complex and symbolic it may be, is based on the religious and philosophical tradition and strictly consistent with its main goal. In this article we consider the features of initiation of the pancasamskara rituals in the srivaisnava tradition and their connection with the main purpose of this system - achievement of liberation (moksa). The article presents also the first part of a broader study of the srivaisnava traditional way of life, which formalized in a more explicit form in the 12th-14th centuries in the South India. The texts of Pancaratra tradition, works of visistadvaita-vedanta thinkers, as well as some other features of Indian culture and religion had a significant impact on the formation of the ritual system, daily duties of the srivaisnava adepts, art of Visnu-Narayana worship and ethics. Pancasamskara rituals (samasrayana) include application of special symbols (sankha-cakra, pundras) on body, obtaining mantras for practice, purification ceremonies and teaching of sacred texts. The article also examines the philosophical, religious and cultural foundations of these rituals and their significance for the srivaisnava tradition.