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
23 (of 44)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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The adhyatma mantra, have letters 鈥榓sya,' the name of the pupil and tattva bija are to be uttered. The name of the tattvas and the word 'sodhaya' (purify) be added after b墨ja. The words 'sv膩h膩' and 鈥榮amam naya' are to be added. This is to be followed by the word 鈥榥ama岣�'. Thus the 'mantra' is to be used in the case of every The tattva of the earth shall be considered to have been tattva. placed at the edge of sakti and shall be considered to have the nature of vibhava and vy奴ha. The knot of the earth shall be cut and placed at the edge of sakti. This tattva shall be made inactive by the method of samh膩ra with god. Similarly the tattva of water and fire are to be treated. The subtle elements of smell, taste, colour, touch and sound are to be purified by the mantras of conch, Padma, Kaustubha and Var膩ha respectively. The sense organs shall merge in the cause with the mantra of sikh膩, siras, h峁沝aya, m膩ya and jay膩 respectively. P奴r峁嚹乭uti shall be done for buddhi with mula-mantra, for mind with the mantras of Kirti, for ego with Lak峁i mantra. Matter shall be dissolved with the mantras of Satya, Puru峁, Acy奴ta Aniruddha and Vasudeva. For Puru峁, the soul shall be made inactive. P奴r峁嚹乭uti is to be performed with seven lettered mantra. 139
