Essay name: Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra
Author:
Shanta Srinivasan
Affiliation: University of Madras / Department of Sanskrit
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 were commonly written in Sanskrit verse.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
3 (of 57)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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correctly assessed. Knowledge (śruti) is called 'pra' and knowledge that is of eminent kind is called pramā. Eminence here lies in the ascertainment of the object as it is. That which leads most efficiently to its (objects) knowledge is called pramāṇa'. An object of knowledge becomes then known through the pramāṇa. The Pāñcarātra Āgama admits three pramāṇās namely, perception, inference and verbal testimony.² The word pramāṇa here stands for pratyakṣa, anumāna and sabda³. The Pāñcarātra Āgama is theistic in character and so does not reveal any interest in epistemology. The Yajur veda is the most important pramāṇa and the only one to treat topics on God, soul and others. Hence, texts like Ahirbudhnya Samhitā treats verbal knowledge in chapter 11, 12, 13 which comprises of all important sastras and lay stress on the Vaisṇavite character of many of the topics dealt with in them. 1. AhS vol. I ch.. XIII 5b-6b 2. 3 Vide the dictum "mānādīnā meyasiddhi�"- the knowable is established
through pramāṇa.
Vide LT VIII.6a,b. pramāṇantarayasambadhya� bhāvābhāvāsvalakṣaṇam.
iṣṭaprāptyaniṣṭa parihārayor alaukikamupayam yo grantho vedah !" - veda
bhāṣya bhūmikā of Sāyaṇa krṣṇauakirvedāntargatyah Taittiriya samhitā
bhāṣya bhūmikā p.2
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