The Threefold Knowledge
The Sri Vaishnava tradition identifies three categories of essential knowledge that a mumukṣu (liberation-seeker) must possess:
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Tattva (what is real) — the nature of the three realities: Iśvara (the Lord), cit (souls), and acit (matter). Understanding their relationship: that matter and souls are the Lord's body, that the Lord is the inner self of all, that the Lord possesses all the divine attributes.
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Hita (the means) — the path or upāya by which the mumukṣu attains the goal. In Sri Vaishnavism, this is either bhakti-yoga (for the qualified) or prapatti (available to all). Understanding hita includes knowing the role of the ācārya, the importance of the three rahasyams, and the proper mode of surrender.
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Puruṣārtha (the goal) — what is truly worth attaining. The four classical puruṣārthas are dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kāma (desire-fulfillment), and mokṣa (liberation). Sri Vaishnavism identifies the true puruṣārtha as kainkaryam — not merely liberation from suffering but the positive joy of eternal service (nityakainkarya) to Bhagavān in Vaikuṇṭham.
The Three Rahasyas and the Threefold Knowledge
The three rahasya mantras (Tirumantram, Dvayam, Charama-śloka) are said to convey exactly these three knowledges:
- Tirumantram → tattva (the nature of Bhagavān, jīva, and their relationship)
- Dvayam → hita (the act of prapatti, taking refuge in Śrī-Nārāyaṇa)
- Charama-śloka → puruṣārtha (the promised kainkarya and the removal of all fear)