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...
3. Naming the pupil
The name of a brahmin shall end in the word svamin having the mark of one of the twelve names of God. The name of ksatriya shall end with the word deva or pani or dhara for the king. The name for a vaisya shall end in vardhana, the name of God preceding it. According to Padmasamhita, the brahmin pupil shall be given the name Kesava, the word bhagavan, bhattaraka at the end. A Ksatriya has deva at the end of his name, the word pala at the end for a vaisya and dasa at the end for the fourth class. 1. The hand which has become pure by the performance of mantra nyasa. Cf. Sattvata-samhita XIX 36.39. 121