Panch Samskara Pancharatriki / Vaishnava Diksha

The Guru generally would give a talk on the basis of Vaishnava Sadacara
– the four regulative principles of freedom
– the ten offences to be avoided
- and declares his mission to serve his guru…

Pancha Samskara Pancharatrik Diksha is anchored in five life altering factors:
- From this day on the disciple renounces his previous life symbolised by the acceptance of a new name. From this day on the disciple is known under the new name giving him/her the humble position as servant of Krishna. The acceptance of a new name indicates severing of ones' previous ideas and materialistic misconceptions.
- From this day on the disciple will accept formal vows (yam niyam – does and don’ts) to refrain from activites that create the materialistc bodily concept of life, that I’m the enjoyer, proprioter, etc., of this world (No illicit sexual activity – cleanliness, No meat eating – mercy; No intoxication – austerity; No gambling – time wasting and speculation) Accepting of vows, which, by following strictly gives help to immunise one from the influence of the material nature.
-   From this day on the body is marked with the sacred symbols of Udhvara Pundara (Vertical Tilaks on twelve places on the body) Marking the body with the symbols, and names of the Lord and Vaisnava 'tilak', recognises that this body is the Lords' property and not otherwise.
- The fourth samskara is that one accepts the purified mantras of the guru parampar which one now is part of and represents. This consists of the maha mantra being formally given to the disciple along with the Gayatri mantras.
- The final samskara is that of the symbol of self surrender. One does this by agreeing to accept one’s new life, and therefore symbolically prostrates oneself at the feet of Sri Guru the representative of Lord Vishnu.

Dakshina is now given to the guru.

This is supported in shastra herein:

SaNkha cakrAdy Urdhva puNDra
dhAranAdy Atma lakSaNam
tan nAma karaNaM caiva
vaiSNavatam ihocyate

"After initiation, the disciple's name must be changed to indicate that he is a servant of Lord Vishnu. The disciple should also immeadiately begin marking his body with tilaka, especially his forehead. These are spiritual marks, symptoms of a perfect vaishnava". {padma purana, uttara khanda} - as quoted in the purport of ch.1 verse 208, Madhyalila, Sri Chaitanya Charitamrta