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
44 (of 44)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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.18 LAKṢMİ TANTRA According to this text ācārya abhiṣeka is thus:The tattvas are of three kinds, namely gross, subtle and transcendental. They are pradhāna and puruṣa, senses and Acyuta. Acyuta is present in the three taking three forms namely piṇḍa, upāṅga and Āḍhya. The mention of mantras are māntrī, Lakṣmi Bhūdhara and amūrti mantras. Viṣṇu remain in the three ways in each of the three kinds of mantras form the Ankusa to Vasudeva, Gadā to Sankha, Pankaja to kaustubha, Varāha to Narasimha and these are the gross mantras. Mantras from astra to hṛdaya, māyā to Lakṣmī and Mūla mantras are all subtle. Aniruddha to Satya are of transcendental kind. Iśvara, Pradhāna, Buddhi, ego, mind, five sense organs and five motor organs and five subtle elements and gross elements form the Adhibhūta group. The seeds from "ma to ‘ka" are of the group of Adhibhūta. The seven lettered mantra, five deities beginning with Satya, Müla murti are Adhyātma. Other mantras are attached to the senses¹ 69 1. LT XVI 12-49
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