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 3 - The preliminary rites of Diksha
3 (of 18)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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envisages as if flaming his own body with the mantras. Using the mantras of God he shall sprinkle his body and contemplate the divine form of God in his heart (膩v膩hana). He shall then do ny膩sa'. Performing mudr膩s,虏 he considers himself to be identical with God. The figure of God shall be drawn in the ma峁囜笉ala鲁 that is already got ready on the ground. After worshipping Him then the Ac膩rya shall do homa in the fire. Giving a send off to God (visarjana), the Ac膩rya would have completed the inner worship known as antary膩ga. Then he shall begin the external worship. A mandala shall be drawn and the presence of God in it, is to be invoked. Then,the form of Nrsimha shall be worshipped. After worshipping God as before he shall chant N峁泂imha mantra. After offering the food to Him, the assistants are to be given a share of it. After taking his share the priest shall offer the 1. See Appendix 20 2. See Appendix 24 3. Sec Appendix 22 101
