Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra
by Shanta Srinivasan | 2000 | 33,961 words
This English essay studies Diksha in Pancharatra with reference to important texts. Diksha refers to initiation ceremonies into a particular esoteric tradition which is given, for example, by the teacher (Guru) to the student (Shishya). Pancharatra refers to an ancient school of Vaishnavism based on ancient Tantra-like texts called Agamas which wer...
11. The concept of Vibhava (divine descent)
Vibhava means the divine descents of Vasudeva. This is known as avataras. The word avatara, literally means coming down from a higher plane to a lower plane. Though Vasudeva's form is knowledge, in order to bestow his blessings on the devotees, he descends down to earth with an incomparable splendour. His form, when it descends, is of three kinds; gross, subtle and transcendental. They are at the junction of each of the four yugas. 1. Introduction to Lakshmitantra , p.25; Ahirbudhnya-samhita V. 20b 28a 2. Lakshmitantra XI. 9-18; +1
Thirty-eight deities of Vibhava kind are enumerated as follows: (1) Padmanabha (2) Dhruva, (3) Ananta, (4) Saktisa, (5) Madhusudana, (6) Vidyadhideva, (7) Kapila, (8) Visvarupa, (9) Vihangama, (10) Krodhatma, (11) Badabavaktra, (13) Vagisvara, (16) Yajnavaraha, (19) Sripati, (22) Kalanemighna, (14) Ekarnavasayin, (12) Dharma, (15) Kamatha, (17) Nrsimha (18) Amrtaharana, (20) Kantatman, (21) Rahujit, (23) Parijatahara, (24) Lokanatha, (25) Dattatreya, (26) Nyagrodhasayin, (27) Ekasrngatanu, (28) Vamana, (29) Trivikrama, (30) Nara, (31) Narayana, (32) Hari (33) Krsna, (34) Parasurama, (35) Srirama, (36) Vedavit, (37) Kalki and (38) Patalasayana. 1. Lakshmitantra IV 27 42
These thirty eight deities are held to be pradurbhava (earliest manifestation). Here, Krsna is the son of Brahma and not the son of Vasudeva.' The number of these deities is stated to be 39 in Ahirbudhnya Samhita.2 There is discrepancy between the accounts among the Pancaratra texts. Visakhayupa is considered to be a Vibhava and leaving off the thirty eight deities as enumerated. Visakhayupa is not separately mentioned and is referred to by the word Padmanabha. There are divergent views in regard to the descents. Aniruddha, Matsya, Kurma and Varaha, spring from Vasudeva, Nrsimha, Vamana, Parasurama and Rama from Sankarsana, Balarama from Pradyumna and Krsna and Kalki from Aniruddha.3 The Sanatkumara samhita mentions the descent of Kurma and Nrsimha from Samkarsana.* 2. 3. 4. 1234 Sattvata-samhita IX 77-84b Ahirbudhnya-samhita 5.50 56. Is this Ahirbudhnya-samhita Sanatkumara-samhita Indra ratra III.38, 67 43