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
26 (of 44)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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The preceptor shall make a mark on the forehead of the pupil with the ashes and go to the ma峁囜笉ala. He shall worship duly the lord of the mantra and place vi峁ａ箛u hasta (hand) on the pupil's head, backward and in the chest. He shall gently touch the pupil's body from head to foot and make him utter the mantra with ny膩sa after mental worship. He shall then worship god who is in the pitcher with many services鹿. At the end of dik峁Ｄ� the pupil shall prostrate before the preceptor with eight limbs虏 and address thus; "Oh! Preceptor, my kith and kin and myself are your servants". The preceptor shall be offered depending on one's capacity, a village or groups of gem or gold together with elephant, horse, chariot, cart or vehicles, soldiers and group of servants and servant maids. Whatever is deserving or by which the preceptor be pleased shall be given in full so that the disciple could have fulfilled his debts to him. 1. SS. XIX 334-337 a. 2. The eight limbs are: forehead, belly, two kness, two feet, and two hands. 142 www
