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.
Preface
1 (of 6)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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PREFACE
Worship of images or icons are recognized in Hindu religions.
Vaisnavism a religious sect of India mainly follow image worship, both
at home and at temples.
As I am a post-graduate, who has studied Vaiṣṇavism from the
Department of Vaiṣṇavism, University of Madras, my choice and
interest fell on the systems that are adopted in the Vaisnavite temples.
As regards the worship in the Vaisnava tradition, there are two
recognized schools viz., Vaikhānasa and Pāñcarātra, each one follows
its own Agama, a book of practice.
Many of the Vaisnava temples in Tamil Nadu, especially follow
the Vaikhanasa system. Once upon a time Pañcarātra system was
popular in the majority of the temples in South India. But, at present, a
select temples at Melkote (Karnataka) Srirangam and Kanchipuram etc.
follow this system. However, at present a select temple follow the
Pāñcarātra system.
Vaisnavism is one of the main religions of the Hindus and the
Pāñcarātra is the ancient. Vaiṣṇavite sect. The influence of its tenets
on later Vaisnavism is important, but has not been thoroughly
researched. The ritual worship described in the old Pāñcarātra. Āgama
