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
54 (of 57)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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nyasa and forming mudrās.' The Sanatkumārasaṃhitā treats the mantras in a particular way. Mantras are threefold, namely, sāvitrī, viṣṇugāyatri and mulamantra.² The savitri mantra, * is called gayatri mantra in the vaidika rituals. Mūla mantras are two in the Pāñarātrā āgama. They are Aṣtākṣarā and dvādaśākṣara. The Agamas prescribe a way of life for the various vārnasramas. In this respect, it is equal to the veda. It adopts Vedic concepts and mantras including the Vedic names such as yāga, utsava, ijyā, avabhṛta,etc. Man does not live alone. He lives in a certain environment. He has to face certain things which could be either desirable or undesirable to him. In order to overcome certain enemities and other 1. JS XIV 69-89. 2. See appendix 23 3. mantratrayam samudistam sandyopāsanāni karmāni prātasca visnugāyatri
madyāhne dvādaśākṣaram aṣtākṣaram japet sāyam sarvadāṣṭākṣaram
tu va, SKS Brahma V 97-98
4. ibid brahma IX-101b müla mantra dvayam capi pañcōpaniṣadōjapet
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