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 2 - Aspects of Diksa
15 (of 41)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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1
Anything that is offered to God shall not be given to him who
is not a d墨k峁ta. He shall not violate the principles of worship nor
can become a sanyasin. He shall not take food from another's house
nor touched by others. There are certain prohibited places where he
shall not live. Ever he shall have the mark of the weapons of Vi峁ａ箛u.
He should avoid sleep during daytime.
Those who are
spiritually born alone shall be the Ac膩rya for all classes. If a member
of the higher birth is not available, then he who is next in the
descending order, shall be chosen鹿.
2.7 膧C膧RYA
The Pa帽car膩tra tradition does not classify the Ac膩rya like the
disciple. The case of the disciple is not the same. Those who are
admitted into studentship under an Ac膩rya are bound to be of
varying degrees of calibre. They have to ascend to the position of
膧c膩rya through stages.
1. Food, flowers, garland, sandal paste which are used or offered to god SKS.
48b to 49 a. See SKS. Indra r膩tra IX. 13.
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