Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra
by Shanta Srinivasan | 2000 | 33,961 words
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 wer...
8. Mantras with Anga and without Anga
It is to be noted that the Diksa may be given with the mantras which have five angas- siromantra, sikhamantra, kavaca-mantra, netra-mantra, astra-mantra and those which do not have any anga. In the case of the former, the seed of the hrdayamantra is enjoined. In the latter pranava shall be used as stated for such acts done with angamantra. The word karma shall be used along with the pranava'. For those pupils who like to have vyuha-diksa, the bijamantra of the four vyuha are to be used. 'Hum' is the bija of Vasudeva hsam for Sankarsana. Hrum' for Pradyumna and 'Hrum' for Aniruddha2 In the case of Brahma-diksa which is also called para or suksma diksa the mantras to be used are "Om santodita vijnana pranaya sarvadarsine caitanyaya namah". This is the foremost mantra. 1. Sattvata-samhita XIX: 160-165 134
Above mantra contains twenty two letters and six words. These words denote the six qualities3. Jnana one letter, Bala has four, Aisvarya six, virya five, Tejas four and sakti two. These are respectively represented in the above mantra.