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
47 (of 57)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Normally, the icons are of seven kinds, namely mula or
dhruvabera,
kautuka or karmabera,
utsavabera,
balibera,
snapanabera, and or irthabera, Svapabera and Utth盲vabera. Of
these, the dhruvabera is the primary one that receives consecration
and by this ritual the power of the supreme lord manifests in it. The
other beras have to receive the power from the dhruvabera. The
Dhruvabera is normally made out of stone and is black in color.
Black colour is to be the main color among various colors.
The karm膩rca is the form that receives the power from the
Dhruvabera and infuses or distributes it to the other beras. This
form is not available in many shrines nowadays. Any other bera that
is available there is used to serve the purpose of karmabera. The
utsavabera is used for these occasions. The balibera is taken out of
the temple to offer bali to certain deities kept at fixed places.
Sn膩n膩rca is used in giving ceremonial baths on occasions and is also
used for daily bath in the sanctum sanctorum. The utsava idol too
receives bath on special occasions. The Tirthabera is used for
offering bath on the avabh峁泃a day, that is the last day of the festival.
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