Initiation or Diksa of Mantra

The dictionary meaning of Diksa is consecrating for a religious ceremony, it means initiation in general⁹6. The need of Diksa. The Nityotsava of Umanandanatha says that, Veda etc... Vidyas are open like a prostitute, but, among all the Darsanas, this Tantravidya is secret. Therefore, one should be initiated 87. Mantras should be received from a worthy and competent guru with proper initiation. The Sri-vidyarnava-tantra speaks of the following characteristics which are to be tested by the sadhaka before being initiated 88. They are as followsA worthy Guru is one who is, happy in japa, stotra, dhyana, homa and archana. The one who is competent to give knowledge, to advice and who has acquired the siddhi of the 86 SED P.252 Nityotsava of Umanandanatha C.I, P.8 87 88 Sri-vidyarnava-tantra Ch.II, V.7,8. }

chapter 1. Introduction 44 mantra and is competent to cause an awakening of the mantra in the initiated. According to the tantra, the initiation by a female preceptor is the best and the most recommended. 89 Types of Diksa. There are different methods employed by the Guru to initiate the competent sadhaka into the practices of tantra worship. Two different initiation process are mentioned in the different books of tantra. They can be categorized as follows: 90 (I) as given in the Nityotsava and, (II) as given in the Brihat-tantra-sara". Three types of initiation are given by each of the works. The table below shows the types of initiation. No. 1. Nityotsava. Sambhavi diksa. Brihat-tantra-sara. Kalavati diksa. 23 2. Sakti diksa. Pancayatani diksa. 3. Mantri diksa. Sankshepa diksa. 92 The Sri-vidyarnava-tantra⁹2 speaks of seven types of initiation. They are as followsSno. Sri vidyarnava tantram. 89 Shastri G. Introduction to Tantra-I, p.166 90 Nityotsava of Umanandanatha Ch.I, P.8. 91 Brihattantra-sara Ch.I, P. 99,125, 128 92 Sri-vidyarnava-tantra C.13, P.310,311.

chapter 1. Introduction 1 Varna diksa. 2 Kala diksa. 3 Vedha diksa. 4 Sparsa diksa. 5 Vag diksa. 6 Dristi diksa. 7 Sambhavi diksa. 45 In the Nityotsava of Umanandanatha³, there is further mention about the grading of initiation as - principal and as subordinate. This grading is based on the manner of initiation. If all the three types are done in quick succession and in a single process it is known as the principal type; if the above mentioned three are done one after the other with an interval it is the subordinate type. The time for Initiation. The Shiva-purana speaks of the process of mantra-diksa. The process of initiation is as follows: 1 a "Performing the ceremonial abulation when the sun is transit to the Zodiac Aquarius; the initiation of mantra, the nyasa of the Matrkas by a brahmin, a person purified by truth, a preceptor of perfect knowledge--- all these are splendid 94." 93 Nityotsava of Umanandanatha C.I, P. 10 94 Shiva-purana, Vidyesvara samhita-10.25,26,27.

chapter 1. Introduction 46 The tantras speak elaborately about initiation. They also speak of the result of initiation on the different months of the year and the different days of the week, the tithis suitable for initiation. All these have been dealt with in detail in the chapter "Worship and Worshippers". The initiation : women and men. 95 The Sri-vidyarnava-tantra⁹ while speaking about initiation to women says that women too have the right to be initiated. A women's initiation is a dependent one. The dependence is shown with the table below No. Status of Woman Permiting authority 1 Widow Son 2. Daughter Father 3 Wife Husband 4 Separated from husband Independent to take herself. It also adds that women and the Sudras be initiated only with mantras which end with Swaha. 96 The Sri-vidyarnava-tantra⁹ further mentions about the change of name of the sadhaka. It states that initiation is to be given to all the four castes but with certain differences. These differences are twofold viz. (i) The specific seed mantras" to be given and 95 Sri-vidyarnava-tantra C.2 P. 28,29 96 ibid C.13. P. 312 mr

chapter 1. Introduction (ii) The name to be given to the sadhaka post initiation. This is summed up in the table below for a ready reference. 47 47 Caste PostBrahmin Sharma Kshatriya Varma Vaisya Sudra Gupta Dasa Initation name. Bija Mantras to Srim, and Hrim, Klim, Klim, Srim, and Aim, Srim, and Aim, Hum, Aim, and mantras be given Aim, with Vasat. and Namah endings. The important point is that the Sudras should not be given mantras beginning with pranava.