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...
6. Two courses and the empathy of the pupil
4.7 TWO COURSES AND THE EMPATHY OF THE PUPIL—T³ó±ð Acarya shall leave the two courses namely Bhuvana and Pada are taken to Dvadasanta'. He shall become filled with Mula mantra and with that knowledge he reaches the Brahmarandra2 of the pupil. He shall occupy the position of earth proceeding through these path and bring its power under his control which is in the form of a seed that is restrained by hrdaya mantra3. Taking thus all the powers that rest in the intellect(knowledge)separately into the casket of this hrdayamantra using all pervading things relating to the self, he must think that the body of the pupil bearing both of them from the time of destruction of the enjoyments. The powers of the elements shall be considered from the body of the pupil as destroyed. 1. Dvadasanta, name of the region in the head 12" above. 2. Brahmarandra: an aperture on the top of the head. 3. Hrdaya mantra- Om hum namah hridyaya namah 125
He shall occupy the gentle body made of the threads through the same path and he shall take the mantra of the spiritual kind and those of the elements and get out of that body of the threads, go to the fire and recite mantras equating these with the threads. Mantras should be placed in their respective places. He shall get his own body through the Brahmanadi into the body of the pupil. The mantras shall be joined with the tattvas' uttering their names with pranava through the process of creation. The pupil shall be drawn out of his heart through puraka2 .Then the seed of Earth is freed from the individual unit. It shall be placed in the heart of the pupil so that he is aware of the changes that has happened in the body. This used to be done through middle path (Kumbhaka)3 uttering his name. The seed of Earth shall then be made to join the pupil's subtle body through the homa done with hrdaya mantra with svaha at the end; inorder to achieve the goal. Thus the pupil who is the heart in the 1. Sattvata-samhita XIX-133 2. Sattvata-samhita XIX-80 and commentry 3. Sattvata-samhita XIX-83 and commentry 126
subtle body is qualified for Suksma mantra'. He will get enjoyment through the Sikhamantra2 and result through kavaca3 His satisfaction results from the netramantra*. He will become separated from it through the astramantra. Homa shall be done by the preceptor for controlling the tattva of Earth. Filling the sruva with ghee and doing homa with it the earthly form will be cut off from the thread on the sutra and get dissolved in the sruva in the fire. The power of the pupil will be infused into his heart with mulamantra. Then the pupil must be made to think thus: "This is that tattva of earth, a host of miseries. I remain here as it is not be made known. I am released like a bird from the cage. The preceptor shall pray O God! Lord of Earth you shall destroy all the obstacles for moksa for the pupil'. 1. siro om hrim aisvarya sirase svaha 2. saktyai sikhayai vausat. 3. balaya kavacaya hum 4. Om hum namaha netraya vausat 5. Om hum namah astraya pha! 6. see appendix 32 7. Sanatkumara-samhita XIX 104 - 106 127
As in the case of the seed of the Earth the preceptor shall place the seed of the water mantra in his heart .He shall order taste, as in the case of smell and take it up to the mind and to the region above. After repeating this processes with other tattvas, the preceptor will free the pupil from the six cores (adhvans) together with their roots and as having become aware of himself and as freed from the armour,evils would become suppressed. He shall also find that the pupil has reached a higher place through the power of god. The preceptor shall make the offering with the seed of visakhayupa with pranava so that moksa could be obtained by the pupil.Then he must praise god thus, "O lord, may you be spotless. You are omnipotent, full Acyuta! you are all pervading. You control with in you the six qualities. You are changeless and stainless,ever rising, not inferior to any one. You are free from destruction. You are blissful, not apart you have and no - 128
beginning nor end, "Oh Vasudeva"! He shall then offer Purnahuti. The pupil is now in the state of liberation and is desirous of getting moksa in vibhava diksa. We will reach the place of Paramapada till his body falls at the will of god. He will get the status of Paramamnabhah when he desires to have enjoyment. He shall then be placed in the intellectual path till the fall of his body'. Then, the preceptor shall ask the pupil to sit before him and offer instructions on adhvans.