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
36 (of 41)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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3
. Adhya: He is the one who is ever interested in playing the role of hosts. He is free from lust and anger and offers food to others and doing charity; giving food to others. He performs sacred rites on full moon day and is interested in conducting festivals of God. 4. Ac膩rya: He is a person who gives sustenance to devotees of God. He is interested in worshiping God, skilled in doing consecration prati峁ａ弓h膩 and other practical aspects of the system both in Vaidika and T膩ntrika. He does the rituals at all times, he is free from anger, and shows favour to his disciples. The third division is V膩naprasth膩s, that is, those dwelling in forest. This is also sub-divided into four kinds: 1. Vaikh膩nasas 2. Tantrins 3. Guru 4. Ni峁alas. 1. Vaikh膩nasa': He has his wife and children living with him in the 膩艣ram or home. He has his senses controlled. He gives lectures 1. Vaikh膩nas膩 must be the one who is strict in his observances of rules of V膩naprasthas---Srinivasac膩ryas comm. AS I VII-12 And also JS XXII 13b-14a. It is worthy to note that these ancient Pa帽car膩tra text reveal a healthy reference to the Vaikhanasa who are not targeted for any attack. 93
