Diksha – The Initiation
Diksha (Sanskrit: दीक्षा, dīkṣhā) is a procedure of initiation performed by a Guru for a disciple who wishes to follow a traditional spiritual discipline. Etymologically, the Sanskrit word is derived from the root dā (to give) and kṣi (to destroy). Alternately, it comes from the verb root dīkṣ (to consecrate). The letter dī signifies the realization of divine wisdom, while kṣhā indicates the annihilation of ignorance. Obtaining Diksha from an ascetic (Brahmachari) is good; from a virtuous householder, better; and from a monk (Sannyasi), far better. However, Diksha from a Paramahamsa Sannyasi is the best of all. Without proper Diksha from a Guru, one cannot attain realization.
Diksha is of various types – Mantra Diksha, Tantric Diksha, Shaktipat Diksha, Yoga Diksha, etc. – each with different objectives and given through different procedures: by sight, touch, word, and so on. Diksha is the greatest gift a Guru can give to his disciple – as a kindling of light, as a seed of grace, and as a transmission of pure love.
Mantra Diksha
Mantra Diksha is the process of imparting a sacred utterance, mystical sound, syllable, word, phoneme, or group of words to awaken the dormant spiritual power. According to the choice of the disciple or the Guru, the mantra is given for the worship of different deities, each with a specific objective.
Shaktipat Diksha
Shaktipat is the grace bestowed by the Guru upon the disciple as a blessing for the mystical journey into the spiritual world. The infusion of energy from the Siddha Guru to the disciple brings an awakening of the inherent spiritual power – the Kundalini. Shaktipat is highly praised in Tantric and Yogic scriptures as a grace and initiation that awakens the dormant Kundalini Shakti within, leading to inner awakening and exploration of the inner realms. Only a few chosen ones are eligible for Shaktipat initiation in our tradition.
Shree Vidya Diksha (Tantra Diksha)
Of all the Tantras, Shree Tantra is the Queen Tantra – the most mystical and the most occult. Superior to all other Tantras, Shree Tantra has always remained at the crown, not only in the Tantric realm but also in the Yogic, philosophical, and ritual aspects. This single Tantra encompasses all.
It is said that only by the will of the deity herself is an aspirant initiated into this Vidya. Shree Vidya Diksha is a Kram Diksha, meaning it is given in a stepwise order of mantras – starting from one-syllable mantras and progressing to advanced multi-syllable mantras. An earnest and intense aspirant takes about twelve years of study and practice to become a master of Shree Vidya. Swamiji is a unique Shree Vidya practitioner with deep knowledge of this Tantra, its mystical meanings, and its esoteric understanding. He belongs to the lineage of the Shankaracharya tradition from Sringeri Math. For the most dedicated aspirants, Swamiji has initiated many into this Vidya tradition.
Bagalamukhi Vidya Diksha (Tantra Diksha)
Among the Ten Great Vidyas of Tantra, the eighth Vidya under the Shree family is Bagalamukhi Vidya. This is the great historical Brahmastra Vidya – the celestial weapon of destruction – praised both in Indian history and in the Tantric world. The Brahmastra Vidya signifies the ultimate weapon of destruction in the universe – the destruction of external and internal enemies that are hindrances to life, whether gross or subtle, spiritual or material. No other known deity or mantra can face this Tantric weapon, and its examples are famously found in the great epic, the Mahabharata. This Vidya has always remained concealed in the tradition and hidden in Tantric texts. Even today, it is transmitted only through lineages via the oral (mouth-to-ear) tradition from Guru to disciple, along with its complete unsealing methods and rituals.
Like Shree Vidya, this Vidya is also a Kram Vidya, given in a stepwise manner – from one syllable to the final multi-syllable mantras of the Five Astra Vidyas.
Swamiji has conducted significant research and study to acquire this occult knowledge and has attended many Tantric schools to obtain its complete traditional wisdom. Swamiji belongs to the Dattatreya Peeth lineage for this Vidya.
Yoga Diksha
Yoga is an eight-limbed philosophical system that aims at enlightenment (Kaivalya) through Samadhi. Beyond theoretical yoga, the practical aspect has always remained hidden and secret in the Himalayan tradition. From yogi to yogi, through the Guru-disciple parampara, the deeper spiritual meaning of Yoga has been transmitted down to the present day, leading to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. An aspirant can attain the highest goal if one pursues the systematized eightfold path. Swamiji’s unique revelations in Yoga philosophy are not only profound but also empirically modern. Yoga Diksha is given to beginners as well as advanced yogis, according to their eligibility.
Kechari Mudra Diksha
Kechari Mudra is the most mystical and most advanced mudra in Yoga. It is a yogic technique of folding and placing the tongue into the nasal cavity. Practitioners of this mudra are rare, and yogis who have successfully mastered it are the rarest. Swamiji is an advanced Kechari Mudra practitioner and has successfully mastered it after years of vigorous practice. He was able to collect all the existing techniques traditionally practiced in the Yogic and Tantric traditions from various sects and lineages. This mudra is highly praised not only in Yoga and Tantra but also in the Upanishads and the Vedas. It is well known in the Yogic world as the mudra for drinking the nectar of ambrosia that flows from the crown of the head. Merely mastering this mudra is enough for a yogi to attain Samadhi and awaken the Kundalini. Swamiji initiates genuine and earnest seekers into the Kechari Mudra tradition for those seeking higher and advanced attainments in Yoga and Samadhi.
Brahmachari Diksha
An aspirant who decides to pursue the monastic life and wishes to enter the life of renunciation is granted Naishthika Brahmachari Diksha. According to their eligibility, they are given saffron or white robes. This is a Diksha given prior to Sannyasa Diksha, where the Brahmachari prepares himself through study, meditation, service, and the practice of extreme self-denial and self-mortification in order to achieve self-realization under his Guru’s lineage.
Sannyasa Diksha
The Brahmachari who is competent to transform the contemporary era is granted Sannyasa Diksha – the highest order of all Dikshas – the Paramahamsa Sannyasa Diksha. A unique individual who has realized the ultimate truth, who has successfully passed through all the trials of spiritual tests, and who is capable of holding the torch of the tradition to continue the lineage as a light in the world, is granted this most honorable initiation.