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
20 (of 41)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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God at the appropriate hour. He shall ever endevour to serve the Guru, devoted to Brahmins and fire. He should perform the homa to Gods and worship offering libations of water, with the mantras. Born of a noble family he shall be wise and straight forward. He may be of any caste but devoted to supreme God. Disciplined, he shall attend to the Vratas (observations). This restricts the selection of disciples to the twice born, refined in temperament and devoted to his family duties. This indicates that apart from the unmarried persons, householders are also eligible for d墨k峁Ｄ�. He must be clear about the activities done or not done by him good or bad, and confess it to the preceptor without concealing anything. The disciple must follow the path of dharma. He should perform his enjoined duties towards God, manes, and guests. He must know all about the vedas鹿 and has a good knowledge of almost all subjects. He must do the Pa帽cak膩la p奴j膩 and must perform his 1 Brahmayaj帽a-studying and teaching of the vedas 77
