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
34 (of 44)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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T subtle elements the mantras, the course of knowledge and explain it to the pupil. The preceptor shall think of Vi峁ａ箛u who is full of mantra in his own right hand, and worship him with mantras and flowers and place it on the head of the pupil. The pupil shall then offer a seat to the preceptor and bow to him, wash his feet with water and sprinkle that water on his own head and drink it. The preceptor shall do abhiseka to the s膩dhaka and give all the materials. To the putraka he shall give the sastra which qualifies him to do worship. He shall think of worldly prosperity including children and others for him. He shall perform ablution and utter the mantra upto sv膩h膩 from the lotus of the heart. Uttering the mantra upto namah, he shall think of having entered the body of the pupil through Brahmarandhra and to have occupied the heart. He shall consider the pupil as Brahman having powers of consciousness as the body and having the marks of delight and bliss. The Ac膩rya shall mentally offer to the pupil all his authority. 150
