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
8 (of 57)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Āgamas are the means of self realisation (sādhanaśāstra) and to that effect they recommend a particular way of life and teach the practical method and discipline for attaining self-realisation. It is theoretical and practical and this teaching agrees with cosmological and philosophical thought of human life. It also governs the particular method of worship in temples and rituals and religious function celebrated at home. 1.2 CLASSIFICATION OF AGAMAS The leading schools of religion are the Saiva, Śākta and Vaiṣṇava sects. Every religion and its literature has its own sub-division. For instance, the sub-division of Saivāgamas are: Pāśupata, Kāruṇikasiddhānta and Kāpālika. In another list Kālamukha replaces Kāruṇikasiddhāṇta.' The Sākta Āgama is of two kinds, namely Dakṣiṇācāra and Vāmācāra. The latter enjoys disrespectful position as it treats objectionable practice. "māheśvarā� catvāra� śaivā�, pāśupatā�, kāruṇikasiddhāntina� kāpālikāś ceti. catvāra� apyami maheśvara praṇītasiddhānta anuyāyitayā māheśvarā�" Bhāmati on BSB. II. II 37 p. 488. Also cf. "patyu� asāmañjasyāt idānim paśupatimatasya vedavirodhasāmañjasyācca anādaraṇīyatā ucyate. tanmatānusāriṇa� caturvidhā�. kāpāla�, kālāmukhā�, pāśupatāh, śaivāś ca iti" SB II. ii. 35 8 -
