Re: Svayamacharyas

From the Bhakti List Archives

• October 25, 1996


It appears that I am mistaken concerning the right
to perform samASrayaNam for others. Judging from what
Jaganath has mentioned, non-svayam acharya people
can do it as well. I was unaware of this.

Perhaps Ramanuja appointed 74 people whose primary
duty was to minister to the needs of the population,
with others also able to do so if they wish.

The samASrayaNam is an ancient ritual, as attested
to by the thiruppallaandu.  It has its basis in the
Pancaratra, and Desika apparently cites some Vedic
authority for it in his saccaritra raksha as well.

Mani