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
30 (of 32)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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T Fire pits (kunda) is described in chapter XI of the sattvata samhit膩. Reference to the ku峁囜笉a is made in this text without mentioning their names. The Pauskara samhita offers the definition of kunda. The Jay膩khya defines kunda and classifies it for the use in doing various acts. The Isvara sa峁僪it膩 defines various kind and deals with the way in which it is to be prepared. Sankha, cakra, padma kinds are described. Thus an indepth study of the important P膩帽car膩tra texts reved would present the process of d墨k峁Ｄ� in its varius facets. The characteristics of a preceptor and a disciple too can be observed for instructing and learning this ritual. It must be noted that all these elaborate rituals extend for serveral days or months or even a year, depending upon the type of the disciple and the type of the d墨k峁Ｄ� one whishes to undertake. whishes 190
