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
41 (of 57)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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The stages of deep sleep, dream and waking stage are described in
detail and are given the names of first, second and third catur膩tmya,
艣r墨, puru峁 are ever with each vy奴ha deity Lak峁墨, K墨rti, Jay膩 and
M膩y膩 are the consorts Vy奴ha Gods in the order of enumeration
from Vasudeva' and her body is also non-materialistic虏.
1.11 VIBHAVA
Vibhava means the divine descents of Vasudeva. This is
known as avat膩r膩s. The word avat膩ra, 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 LT., p.25; AhS. V. 20b28a
2. LT.XI. 9-18;
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