Srivaishnavam – Do’s and Dont’s

The principle of dos and donts for a Srivaishanava per koorathalvan’s words in athimaanushastvam (slokam 53):
Yat tvat priyam tadiha punyam apunyam anyat – Whatever is pleasing to Emperumaan is to be done and the rest are to be avoided.
We have tried to summarize with our little knowledge some of the
dos and donts based on various pramaanams in ubhaya vedantham. Please
enquire learned srivaishnavas and come to proper conclusions.

Do’s (Aanukulyam)

• First and foremost follow the foot steps/activities of our poorvacharyas as much as we can (not as much as we want to).
• Respect other Bhaagavathaas (Irrespective of their birth, position, social status, etc.)
• Perform Nitya and Naimithika karmas without fail (Emperumaan says
  “Sruti Smriti mamaivaagya, aagya cheti mama drohi”) – This includes
  primarily Sandhyaa vandahanam, Tharpanams, etc.
• Perform thiruvaaradhanam daily for the deity at home and atleast
  recite Thirupallandu, Thirupallieluchi, Thirupaavai, Kanninun
  Chiruthambu and Saatrumurai Pasurams)
• Listen to upanyasams and kalakshebams. For srivaishnavas, these
  are considered as the way to spend the time usefully and also to make
  our faith very strong. This is actually parama bhogyam (very much more
  enjoyable) also, when we have the ruchi/taste for it compared to all
  other forms of entertainment such as movies, dramas, sports, politics,
  etc.
• Perform kaayika (by body), vaachika (by speech), and maanasa (by
  mind) kainkaryam to Emperumaan, azhwars, acharyas, srivaishnavas and
  divya desams. There are so many divya desams which literally have 1
  archaka and 1 person doing sevakalam. If we can visit those divya desams
  that will bring joy to emperumaan and srivaishnavas.
• Help others with the knowledge we acquire from our poorvAchAryas.
  Emperumaan and the knowledge about the sampradAyam is not only for a
  select few. Everyone should be given an opportunity to benefit out of
  the works of our poorvachAryAs.
• The following list is defined as Srivaishnava lakshanam in Mumukshupadi Sutram #116:
  • Give up attachments to anything but bhagavat/bhaagavata vishayam including its vasana/ruchi (taste)
  • Accept Emperumaan as the only protector
  • Strong conviction on the achievement of the ultimate goal (by the grace of acharya)
  • Longing for the ultimate goal every moment
  • While in samsara, for the rest of the days, engage in bhagavat, bhaagavata, acharya, divya desa kainkaryams as the main activity
  • Serve the srivaishanvas who are having the above qualities with the understanding of their greatness
  • Have faith in Thirumanthiram and Dvayam
  • Have strong attachment for the acharya
  • Having a service attitude towards emperumaan and acharya
  • Associate with the vaishnavas who have true knowledge, detachment and peace

Dont’s (Prathikulyam)

• First and foremost is avoiding any bhagavat/bhaagavata apachaaram
  • bhagavat apachaaram (Artha panchakam 5.1)
    • Considering Emperumaan has no vibhuti (qualities, properties, etc) and lingam (form)
    • considering archaa moorthy’s as just stones/metal
    • considering rama/krishna as normal human beings or even just
      exalted/super human beings. We should always think them as Emperumaan
      himself and out of his kindness he has come down.
    • Considering other devataas (brahma, siva, indra, shakthi, GANESH, etc) to be equivalent or higher to him.
  • bhaagavata apachaaram (Thirumaalai, Artha panchakam, etc)
    • disrespecting bhagavataas based on their birth, wealth, social position, etc.
    • talking ill of other bhaagavataas/acharyas or anyone.
    • considering acharyas thirumeni to be similar to ours.
• Dont indulge in any devataantara (demigod) worship. That will
  only cause svarupa naasam. (Thiruvaaimozhi 4.10 – onrum thevum
  padhigam).
• Dont perform any kaamya karma (such as doing praarthanai to get some benefit, etc.)
• Dont consume anything that is not prasadam (prasadam – offered to
  emperumaan first) (Bhagavad Gita 3.13). Avoid items which are not fit
  to be offered to Emperumaan, such as:
  • coffee, tea
  • cool drinks, icecreams, chocolate, biscuit, bread, cakes, etc which are prepared in the store.
  • food prepared and served at hotels/restaurants.
• Dont use leather products. All our azhwars and acharyas had shri
  krishna very dear to their hearts, and krishna had the cows of vrindavan
  dear to his heart. And most leather is coming from cow. So, it is one
  of the biggest apachaaram to use leather products being vaishanvas.
  (thiruvaaimozhi 10.3.10 – Thivathilum pasu niray meppu uvathi – Krishna
  likes Tending cows more than being in Srivaikunta, puraana vakyam – namo
  bramanya devaya go brahmana hitaya ca jagat ditaya krishnaya
  govindhaya….)
• Dont discuss/indulge in matters other than Emperumaan, azhwar,
  acharyas. Imagine the time we will save if we dont watch TV for 2/3
  hours a day, if we dont watch a cricket match which is 8 hours long,
  etc. All these time spent on nonsensical things could be effectively used in the
  service of emperumaan.