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.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
49 (of 57)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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The mantras are made up of letters that become audible. The mantras are represented in mandalas which are formed out of these letters. A pedestal is to be made on the ground near the maṇḍala and is prepared with colour powder in the form of a concentric circle. At the center is the axle (akṣa) which is praṇava. Around the axle is the circle (cakra) containing the six words.' The spokes of the wheel are formed around it, are marked by consonants from ka to ma and are to be written on the rim. The outer wheel is marked by kṣa. The Agama text explains the rules for making out the mantra to form the position of the mantra. For instance, the forming of a mantra's letters are given in Iśvara saṃhitā XXIII 105-10. 1. See appendix. See Diagram.lv 49
