SRI VAISHNAVA MANTRAS

   

     There are three Mantras hailed as Rahasya-trayas namely.  They are

1.     The Moolamantra alias Tirumantra or Ashtakshara –

“Om Naamo Narayanaya” means Salutation to Lord Sriman Narayana - Vishnu.

2.     The Dvayam –

“Sriman Narayana-Charanau-Saranam-Prapadye; Srimathe Narayanaya Nama: - I take refuge in the feet of Sriman Narayana joined with Sri (SriLakshmi the Goddess of Wealth) and salutation to Narayana with Sri.

3.     The Carama Sloka -

“SarvaDharman Parityajya Mamekam Saranam Vraja  l

  Aham tva Sarva Papebhyo Mokshayishyami maa sucha: ll”

(Srimat Bagavad Gita - XVIII-66)

Having relinfuished all dharmas resort to me alone as a refuge.  I will release you from all sins.  Be not grieved - Lord Sri Krishna said to Arjuna.

          Tirumantra, Dvayam and CaramaSloka predates Sri Vaishnavas itself, dating back to the first Azhvars (Tamil Vaishnavite Saints) and probably earlier, to the epic period.

          The name of Narayana is well rooted in the later Vaishnava Upanishads like Maharanya Upanishad, Subala Upanishad and in the Mahabharata, MokshaDharma section of the Santi Parva.

          The brief Narayanaatharvasira Upanishad quoted by the preceptors of Vasihnavism gives specific instruction in how the eight syllabled Ashtakshara Mantra, (Om Namo Narayanaya) is to be pronounced.