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
17 (of 44)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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1
This forms the sixteen letters beginning from 鈥榓' which
represent the vy奴ha deities in waking state, four letters from 'ka'
refer to these in the dream stage and 'ta' to 'sa' the 峁峁pti (deep
sleep) stage and 'ha' is in Dv膩dasanta. Or, these may represent the
waking stage denoted by 'ak' and the state of deep sleep is
represented by udaya.. Vi艣rama represent the fourth one'.
Then the altar shall be sprinkled with the water in the Pranita虏.
The ashes in the fire pit altar to be used for making an ornamental
mark on the forehead of the pupil. After bowing to the fire, the idol
in the form of God shall be worshipped. Mental worship shall be
taught to the pupil. The consecrated mantras shall be sprinkled on
the head of the pupil. The preceptor shall bless him with the words:
1. SS. XIX 148-156
2. Pranita: Vessel in which holy water is stored.
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