Samashrayana

The samashrayana (समाश्रयणम्) or the panchasamskara (पञ्चसंस्कार) is a Hindu sacrament generally associated with the Sri Vaishnava tradition. It consists of five rites of initiation performed by a shishya (disciple) to be formally initiated into the tradition by an acharya (preceptor).

Etymology
Samāśrayaṇam is Sanskrit for, "taking refuge with God".

Description
The samashryana consists of the five rites according to Sri Vaishnava tradition:


 * 1) Tapa - The embossing of the impression of Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra (discus) on the right shoulder of the initiate and the Panchajanya (conch) on the left shoulder of the initiate.
 * 2) Puṇḍra  - The application of the Vaishnava tilaka, the urdhva pundra, on twelve sacred locations of the body associated with Vishnu.
 * 3) Nāma  - The introduction of the suffix dasan (servant) to the initiate's new name, offered by the preceptor.
 * 4) Mantra - The teaching of the Ashtakshara mantra and other sacred Vaishnava incantations.
 * 5) Yajña - The instruction of the proper method of worshipping God.