branding.

For the person who has read the book and wants to follow the system it may be necessary. but one can follow the rules and not have the branding done. but then  one has to be so focused to have the passion so great that the symbols are etched in his heart. not for the world to see.

SamAshrayanam marks a great turning point in the journey of jIvAtmA through the cycle of repeated birth and
death. The Pancha SamskAram performed is invaluable. But , one has to keep up the samskAram by his regular
devotional activities. The samskArams done loses its significance when one starts indulging in more materialistic
activities , without caring about the Supreme Lord Sriman NArAyanA . The whole purpose of SamAshrayanam is
to make a person ( jIvAtmA ) get involved in the sanAtana dharmA ( eternal dharmA) of performing Kainkaryam
to Divya Dampati ( MahALakshmi & NArAyanA ). Surrender and love towards the Supreme Lord Sriman
NArAyanA is the only purpose of human life . SamAshrayanam helps in a great way to make a person progress
towards achieving this goal. 
The disciple should be highly thankful to the AchAryA for his great compassion. He should take deep interest in the
SampradAyam & gain the true knowledge from kAlakshepams (Discourses) either under the lotus feet of his achAryA or under
other SriVaishnava achAryAs his achAryA directs him to do so.He should atleast learn from cassettes , books etc of our
AchAryAs. He should learn the recitation & meaning of the most nectarian , unparalleled divine songs of the Tamil VedA(Divya
Prabandham) , which is embedded with soul stirring devotional pAsurams.He should carry out the duties ( like
SandhyAvandanam , Bhagavad ArAdhanam etc ) without fail , according to the VarnA and AshramA . The taniyan of the
AchAryA must neccessarily be recited daily , atleast after adorning the dvAdasa OOrdhvapundram. He should perform various services to the AchAryA and Sriman NArAyanA daily. Then, jn~AnA ( knowledge) , vairAgyA
(detatchment from materialistic things ; sense control) and bhakti (devotion) is automatically gained by the devotee due to
blessings of the AchAryA . By performing prapatti , the devotee should lead a life of prapannA ever immersed in various
kainkaryams .Eventhough he is in the midst of the society , he can earn through dharmA as a service to Sriman NArAyanA . The
money so earned should be spent for various devotional services and not for materialistic pleasures. Swami Desikan says in his NyAsa vimsati that , "The disciple too must fulfil certain requisite qualifications. He should have
1.A Good sense
2.A friendly approach towards sAdhus.
3.A good character.
4.An earnest desire to understand the tenets of the sampradAyA.
5.A loving mind to render service to the AchAryA
6.No self-esteem or self conceit.
7.Abject obedience to the AchAryA, this being a SUPREME DUTY.
8.A tendency of waiting and readiness for the correct oppurtunity to get clarification of our doubts from AchAryA.
9.A complete restraint over the external senses.
10.A mental discipline
11.A mind of surrendering to the AchAryA without any jealosy
12.An implicit faith in what the SAstrAs say.
13.The ability to pass all the tests the AchAryA admininsters.
14.Supreme graditude to the AchAryA for the great help.
Only such a disciple is eligible to be inducted into the philosophical training." Nyasa Vimsati(3). In his glorious 'pallAndu' to Sriman NArAyanA , PeriAzhvAr (Sri Vishnu chittar) glorifies samAshrayanam and instructs us the way one should lead the life after samAshrayanam : "Bearing (on our upper-arms) the imprint of Holy ChakrA ,caused by the special consecrated instrument with the red - hot wheel-emblem ,which is blazing more fiercely than fire , we have been at the
service of Lord Sriman NArAyanA , generation after generation". Kindly follow the instructions of our dearmost AzhvArs and AchAryAs and lead a life of a true Sri VaishnavA by their divine
blessings.