Gaudiya Pancharatrika Diksha – Part One

By: Mahanidhi Swami

Diksha mantras are chanted daily as a form of meditation, praising the Ishta-Devata, and calling out for mercy.

Within the Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition most all the Gurus initiate disciples with the ancient pancharatrika mantras of Gopala (Krishna) mantra and the Kama Gayatri. In addition, other mantras and gayatris are given for Sri Guru, Gauranga, Pancha Tattva, Srimati Radharani, Yogamaya, etc.

The six Gosvamis of Vrndavana followed this process of giving pancharatrika diksha. And down to the present day, the Gaudiya Vaisnava acaryas are continuing to give diksha with the pancharatrika mantras and the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

To qualify all classes of people for Gaudiya Vaisnava diksha, Gurus purify their disciples by performing five rites of purification called pancha samskaras, which will be described in our next article.

(Excerpt from book Gayatri Mahima Madhuri by Mahanidhi Swami)

Gaudiya Vaisnava Diksha ki jai! Vrindavana Sad Goswamis ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!