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
30 (of 41)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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In this stage, the aspirant learns the mantras, the practical aspecpt of rituals and other related matters of tantric worship'. He is not allowed to worship in the sacrifical fire and do tarpa峁嘺虏. S膩dhaka: S膩dhaka knows the nature of the mantras and skilled in reading the Tantri texts and ever devoted to worship of God and trained in the mantras of T膩ntri. The s膩dhaka does all his work through worshiping God鲁. An Ac膩rya expounds the mantra of tantra and Samhit膩s and offers the sacraments to his disciples. S膩dhakas and Ac膩ryas are the best among them. 1. JS 2. S.S.XX 11-35. 3. Ibid 125 4. ibid 124 Sacrament here means P膩帽casamsk膩ras. 87
