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.
Conclusion
25 (of 32)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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means in-destructible. This was associated with number of A distinguished Tantric sidhakas called siddha. According to an earlier L text called Guhyasam膩ja and the Ma帽ju艣rim眉lakalpa, it is necessary for a pupil to practice yoga and Antary膩ga (Tantraic form of meditation). This is taught in Guhyasam膩ja. The other work deals with Mudr膩s (finger and body poses), ma峁囜笉alas (mystic diagrams), mantras (mystical spells), Kriy膩s (rites), cary膩s (duties of an official priest in worship), sila (observance of moral precepts), vrata (vows), sauc膩c膩ra (cleanliness in acts) niyama (religions observances), homa (offering of oblation), japa (muttering of prayers) and dhy膩na (meditation). The adept is required to help the guru for practicing the above principles. The pupil must get used to the practice of mudra, mantra and other religious acts, to teach the above principles. The pupil should get a suitable guru (spiritual preceptor). These are to be practiced in a secret place and hence the name of this work. Guhyasam膩ja. Sahajayana, and mantrayana are the off shoots of vajray膩na, Among them Mantray膩na concerns itself with, yantras, dhvanis, m膩la mantra and h峁沝aya mantras. 185
