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 4 - The Process of Diksha
14 (of 44)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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brahmins who know the vedas get the favour of the aggregate of four vy奴h膩 deities. Others do not get the knowldege of the Supreme syllable. The supreme Being, who has sound as his form becomes of the nature of n膩da.This could be enjoyed by those who are dedicated to Him by their deeds. Thus there is the change of vam峁嚹乨hvan into Kal膩adhvan. All tattv膩s beginning from Vasudeva are made of k膩la with traits of rising and merging. The mantras, which arise out of these tattvas,posses the qualities of atomicity and others possess little six pieces of it the k膩la that is in six gunas. They manifest the mantras which give rise to pad膩dhavan which makes the souls attain their distant position in the world, which decide their existence and cause decay. The fourteen worlds, are made of three gunas namely sattva, Rajas and tamas provide the soul with enjoyment', For one 1. Vide LT. XXII-27-28. 130
