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
38 (of 41)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Yatis are divided into four kinds: 1. Bhiksuka 2. Sanyasin 3. Bhagav膩ns 4. Prabhus 1. Bhik峁ka: Hamsas bear the sankha and cakra mark on the shoulders and has a single da峁囜笉a stick of office. The latter two carry three da峁囜笉as of office and bears the cakra and the other carries the garuda banner. They are devoted to God. They are in pursuit of God. He wears red colour dress and has no passion. He must have tuft of hair and sacred thread in his shoulders. 2. Sanyasin / Paramahamsas has no hair and no thread on his shoulder. He must collect food by alms and eat. 3. Bhagav膩n: He has cakra and sankha. He receives the food in a piece of cloth. He has no vessels. He can have kamandala. He has three danda, He keeps it together. He must cover the danda while going out. He will do japa and mulamantra. He will be moving allover the world. 95
