Diksha
Hindu rite
Diksha (Sanskrit: दीक्षा, IAST: dīkṣā) also spelled diksa, deeksha or deeksa in common usage, translated as "preparation or consecration for a religious ceremony", is giving of a mantra or an initiation by the guru (in Guru–shishya tradition) of Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Diksha is given in a one-to-one ceremony, and typically includes undertaking a serious spiritual discipline.
Dīkṣā can be of various types, through the teacher's sight, touch, or word, with the purpose of purifying the disciple or student. Initiation by touch is called sparśa dīkṣā. The bestowing of divine grace through diksa is sometimes called śaktipāta. Another type of dīkṣā, into a monastic order, involves a vow of celibacy, the renunciation of personal possessions, and the abandonment of worldly duties, including family ties. Dīkṣā has the same meaning in Jainism. Dīkṣā is also called Charitra or Mahanibhiskraman in Jainism.
In Hinduism, initiation takes the form of one of several rituals, depending on the individual and the tradition involved.
Vishnu Yamala (tantra) says:
"The process that bestows divya jñānaṃ (transcendental, spiritual knowledge) and destroys sin (pāpa), the seed of sin and ignorance, is called dīkṣā by the spiritual persons who have seen the Truth (desikais tattva-kovidaih)."
Etymology
The word is derived from the Sanskrit root dā ("to give") plus kṣi ("to destroy") or alternately from the verb root dīkṣ ("to consecrate").
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