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 2 - Aspects of Diksa
41 (of 41)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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pāncasamskāra and then dīkṣā'. The sattvata samhita and iśvarā samhita following it use the word sisu² as eligible for ordainment. Sisu is a boy below eight years of age. Perhaps could be ordained as sanyasin soon after upanayana. Brāhmanaḥ Ksatriyo Vaisyaḥ Sūdrova svapadasthitaḥ | brahmacāri gṛhastho va kṛtakṛtyo yathāvidhi Vānaprastha bhikṣāṣīnarī vā sadvivekini | dhiraḥ avaccaḥ susantustastattva darśana Kāṅkṣitaḥ Bandhuvargaparityāgi utsāhi niscayānvitaḥ|| 1. SKS Brahma, Ch.I, 2d:s 2. ibid Ch. V, 4cd, 5a, b.s 98
