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
22 (of 41)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
The pupil's daily duties start from the time he gets up in the early morning. He recites sacred mantras, performs s帽ana, (ablution), agnip奴j膩 and other such ceremonies. He must visit the temple periodically. He should perform the ny膩sa rituals(m膩nasap奴j膩) and actual p奴j膩 s鹿. The disciple confesses himself to the preceptor about his belongings. He must not use the mantra for mundane benefits. It should be used for the welfare of the three worlds, government, kings etc, and not for destructions. Thus for instance the Sudarsana- mantra虏 which has been concentrated in the disciple's body must be carefully used so that its presence is maintained and protects the world. After prostrating at the feet, the pupil should answer the question of the Guru clearly and politely. The Guru should approach only to seek advice. The shoes must be taken off before entering a holy or sacred place. I 2 See Laksmi Tantra 21,27 LT.Ch XXVII 21-27.
See AHS. Samhita, AhS Ch XVI.
79
