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
55 (of 57)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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other undesirable occurrences man resorts to certain rites like 1 艣膩ntika, pu峁ａ弓ika, vidve峁峁嘺, m膩ra峁嘺, ucc膩ra峁嘺 etc. Some of them
are purely t膩ntrika rites. Siddhis are also adopted here.
The Vedas too contain the treatment of such practices.
Expiatory rites are prescribed for such practices, which prove that
such acts are undertaken 2. Sonery and such sacrifices used to be
performed where special mantras are to be used. Enchanting the
enemy and slaying him are enjoined. The Vedic mantras are used in
these cases. Hence, the Agama need not be condemned for the
treatment of these topics.
The Agama is concerned with the ways and means of
worshipping God. Because of necessity for man Agama also deal
with other matters like medicine, purificatory ceremonies for the
departed souls鲁 etc.
1. vide IS XXVI. SS XVII
2. Apastambadharmas奴tra I 9-27-28.
3. JS XXVI LT 1- Pads XXV,XXIX
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