Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra

by Shanta Srinivasan | 2000 | 33,961 words

Summary: 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.

Source 1: exoticindiaart.com
Source 2: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Warning! This document has not been proofread. However, for each page you can (and should) verify the text with the original source PDF file.

Preface

+ Chapter 1 - Introduction

. Introduction to Philosophy and Pancharatra

. 1. Vedas and Agamas

. 2. Classification of Agamas

. 3. Regarding the name Pancharatra

. 4. Home of Pancaratra

. 5. The period of Pancaratra

. 6. Inscriptions on Vasudeva’s image

. 7. Regarding the validity of Pancharatra

. 8. Vaikhanasa and Pancaratra