Description of ritual of Maha Diksha for Naisthik Brahmcharis i.e. lifelong celibates .
Description of ritual of Maha Diksha for Naisthik Brahmcharis i.e. lifelong celibates .
Narayan Muni said:-
If a Brahmin person, who, after his thread ceremony is sincerely engaged in studies of Vedas, and due to intense ascetic urge, wishes to be a staunch and faithful observer of life long celibacy;
he should surrender to the preceptor of Uddhava cult, as early as possible. Then, that preceptor should, initially assure him and tell to be fearless. 1-2.
Then, that preceptor should invite a Brahmin who knows all the rituals (to perform prescribed rituals); and make some other celibate under himself, to give the vow of celibacy to him (disciple). 3.
The ritual is as follows: at first, the preceptor should make the Brahmin to sketch a Sarvato-bhadra Mandala-diagram; and make the disciple worship idol of Radha Krishna placed in the middle of the diagram. Then, he should give him the waist-band of Munja grass;
A pair of loin cloth (Kaupeena), and outer garments and a deer skin, a staff (Danda) of Palasa wood or Bamboo and a copper pot (Kamandala). 4-5.
Then, the preceptor should tell the Vaishnavi Gayatri Mantra, for three times, uttering its composer seer (Narad) and meter Gayatri and deity Shri Hari.
The preceptor should tell the Mantra in his right ear, three times; and should give him a new name (any one of the thousand names of Vishnu), ending with Anand. 6-7.
The Guru then should preach him, the duties as taught in religious texts and advise him to follow strict celibacy in eightfold ways. 8.
Then the disciple should adore the Guru, with flowers, sandalpaste; and offer him Dandavat –prostration. He should always observe his own duties adviced by his Guru. 9.
When, the celibate by following strict celibacy and religious practices prescribed by the scriptures, have become matured, the preceptor should confer upon him the Mahadiksha. 10.
At first, the Guru should examine the celibate disciple, in respect of firmness in observing his duties and then studies of the sacred books.
The Acharya should then see the availability of servants and possibility of nuisance from the people of disciple’s caste, and his physical fitness; that he is not physically handicapped. He should then confer Diksha upon him. 11-12.
The Guru should then ask the disciple to observe fast on previous day for body purification; and then perform the Diksha ritual on Ekadashi or Dvadashi day. 13.
Then, the Guru should draw a Mandala-diagram, as said before, at the hands of a Brahmin; and perform Vasudeva-worship, with Homa in sacrificial fire. 14.
Then the Acharya should give the disciple two auspicious white clothes, two Tulsi garlands and imprints of conch and disc, on both the arms. 15.
The disciple after bowing down to the Guru, should sit facing the east. Then the Guru should preach the eight-lettered Maha- mantra, to him.
he Guru should utter the Mantra, three times in the disciple’s right ear; and say, ‘O, disciple, you should never speak it even to your mother or Guru’s wife’. 16-17.
You should never look at a woman, in human form; and if at all you have glanced at woman’s face, unknowingly, you should observe a day’s fast as expiation.
You should behave in such a way that the great vow of celibacy (Brhad-vrata) you have taken is not violated. So also, like women, you should always avoid touch of wealth in any kind. 18-19.
Being honest and remaining clung to the Brhad-vrata, you should always study the holy scriptures (like Shrimad Bhagavata and others) with deep respect and faith. 20.
O sons, thus advised by the Guru, the disciple should then say, ‘I shall behave as per your commands’. Then, he should bow down before him and elder sages; and should follow accordingly. 21.
O sons, this is the ritual of Maha-diksha (specially to be given to the celibates); other rituals being the same as said before. All those should be performed during the acceptance of Maha- diksha. 22.
With this Mahadiksha, the celibacy of a noble Brahmin augments in merit; hence, he should take the same and follow the preaching of his Guru, as per rules. 23.
Thus ends the fiftieth chapter entitled, ‘Description of the Ritual of Mahadiksa to be given to a celibate in the topic of Diksha ritual,’ in the fourth Prakarana of Satsangi jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as Dharmashastra. (the rules of the code of conduct). 50
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