What is Diksha?
divyaj~nAnaM yato dadyAt kuryAt pApasya saMkShayam |
tasmADDIkSheti sA proktA munibhistantravedibhiH || [Rudra Yamala]
The letter ‘di’ indicates attainment of the divine knowledge. The letter ‘kSha’ denotes destruction of the accrued sins. The process which accomplishes these is called ‘dIkShA’.
dadAti yasmAdiha divyabhavaM mAyamale karma cha saMkshiNoti |
sarvaM chaturvargaphalaM cha yasmAt tasmAttu dIkShetyabhidhanamasyAH ||
‘Da’ indicates the attainment of Shiva Bhava and ‘Ksha’ the dissolution of mAyA, malatraya and karma. Such a process which grants dharma, artha, kAma and mokSha is called ‘dIkShA’.
A pot in a darkroom, invisible due darkness, becomes visible when a lamp is lit. Similarly, the Atman, hidden by the cover of mAyA, becomes visible through the light of mantra. Jiva realizes his Shivatva by the merit of Diksha.
tamaH parivR^ite gehe ghaTo dIpena dR^ishyate |
evaM mAyAvR^ito hyAtmA manunA gocharIkR^itaH |
dIkShAviddhastathA hyAtmA shivatvaM labhate dhruvam || [Siddhanta Sangraha]
dIyate jnanavijnAnaM kShIyante pAparAshayaH |
tena dIkSheti hi proktA prAptA chet sadgurormukhAt || [Meru Tantra]
Importance of Diksha
Irrespective of one’s varNa or Ashrama, the need for dIkShA for spiritual advancement is declared in the shAstras.
dikShAmUlaM japaM sarvaM dIkShAmUlam paraM tapaH |
dIkShAmAshritya nivasedyatrakutrAshrame vasan || [Suta Samhita]
Without dIksha from a Sadguru, one does not get Mantra Siddhi or attain realization. One who dies without obtaining Diksha from a qualfiied Guru attains a hell called raurava.
devi dIkShAvihinasya na siddhirna sadgatiH |
tasmAtsarvaprayatnena guruNA dIkShito bhavet |
adIkShito.api maraNe rauravaM narakaM vrajet || [Shakti Yamala]
The ill effects of reciting mantras picked from books is described in various scriptures. He accrues great sin that cannot be cleared even in a million births.
kalpe dR^iShTvA tu mantraM vai yo gr^ihNAti narAdhamaH |
manvantarasahasreShu niShkR^itirnaiva vidyate || [Kadi Mata]
pustake likhitAnmantrAnAlokya prajapanti ye |
brahmahatyAsamaM teShAM pAtakaM parikIrtitam || [Badabanala Tantra]
This instruction is of special relevance in the current days where people pick mantras from books or web pages and begin recitation. There are procedures described in the Shastras to pick mantras from Tantras by choosing Devi/Mahadeva as Guru but is only an Apaddharma. That cannot be considered as a universal rule. Moreover, one who has studied the shAstras and has the necessary power of discrimination alone can undertake such a practice. These days, when most ward off the need for traditional learning and resort of crash courses or counter every shAstra pramANa with hollow statements such ‘Devi knows best! She wanted me to recite the mantra and hence she made me find it’, it becomes even more important to understand the pre-conditions for mantra grahaNa. Devotion is an aspect of upAsanA but not upAsanA itself. Moreover, pure devotion is not a commonality in Kali Yuga. Also, adhikAra or qualification for upAsanA comes only through Diksha.
By indulging in such prohibited activities, instead of Siddhi, the aspirant will face great harm.
pustake likhito mantro yena sundari japyate |
na tasya jayate siddhiH hanireva pade pade || [Brhad Badabanala Tantra]
Without Diksha, one is not eligible to perform Japa and Archana.
syAdvedAdhyayane shUdro nAdhikArI yathA bhavet |
tathaivAdIkShitasyApi nAdhikAraH kuleshwari || [Kularnava Tantra]
japo devArchanavidhiH kAryo dIkShAnvitairnaraiH || [Hamsa Maheshwara]
The deities do not accept Japa and Puja performed by a non-initiate. upAsanA performed without Diksha is fruitless. A non-initiate is considered equal to an animal.
adIkShitArchanaM devA na gR^ihNanti kadAchana |
karmAkhilaM vR^ithA yasmAt tasmAdadIkShitaH pashuH || [Rudra Yamala]
The futility of performing upAsanA i.e. Japa and pUjA without dIksha is described by comparing such an act to sowing a seed in stone.
adIkShitA ye kurvanti japapUjAdikAH kriyAH |
na bhavettu phalaM teShAM shilAyAmuptabIjavat || [Yogini Tantra]
A sinner who exists on earth without dIkShA from Sadguru remains delusional and suffers in hell after death. As dIkShA is the gateway to Atma jnana, without it, there is no means for liberation for a jIva.
atha dIkShAvihIno yo vartate bhuvi pApabhuk |
mohAndhakAre narake garte patati duHkhitaH || [Dattatreya Yamala]
Some claim that worship offered with devotion is accepted by the Gods and try to discredit the need for Diksha. This claim is refuted by the scriptures. Even if one offers thousands of upachArAs to the Lord with devotion, this cannot result in liberation. Only when upAsanA is done after Diksha from Sadguru, pAshaShTaka is severed, malatraya is destroyed and jIva attains Shivatva.
upachArasahasraistu yojitAM bhaktisaMyutAm |
adIkShitA.archanAM devA na gR^ihNanti kadAchana || [Uddamareshwara Tantra]
Some indulge in worldly affairs with the thought, ‘If Diksha has to happen, it will happen automatically. I do not need to do anything’. This claim is refuted again by the shAstras. An aspirant should prepare himself for Diksha by sincerely performing karmas ordained by manvAdi shAstras and by sincere prayers offered without the
contamination of desires to the lotus feet of Sri Paramba. Thus, by meritorious acts, one should earn divine grace which eventually materializes as Diksha from Sadguru.
dIkShAhInasya deveshi pashoH kutsitajanmanaH |
papaugho.antikamAyAti puNyaM dUraM palayate |
tasmAdyatnena dIkShaiShA grAhyo kR^itibhiruttamA || [Rudra Yamala]
Some disregard tAntrikI dIkShA as being inferior to vaidikI dIkShA and consider the same to be suitable for the demons. This ignorant claim is refuted both by the multitude of pramANas describing Agama prAshastya in Kali Yuga and by the Lord in Bhagavata.
VaidikastAntriko mishra iti me trividho makhaH |
trayANAmIpsitenaiva vidhinA mAm samarchayet || [Bhagavata Ekadasha Skandha]
However, not all Tantras are pramANas for those belonging to the first three varNas. It is said that Lord Mahavishnu taught pAncharAtra, bhAgavata [not to be confused with bhAgavata purANa] and vaikhAnasa were taught for the sake of those brAhmaNas who had fallen from the path of Sanatana Dharma. It is only for such that these paths were taught as a means to gradually ascend to the path of Sruti.
pAncharAtraM bhagavataM tantraM vaikhAnasAbhidham |
vedabhraShTAn samuddishya kamalApatiruktavAn || [Samba Purana]
Types of Diksha
Diksha is of four main types:
1.laukikI
2.vaidikI
3.tAntrikI
4.siddhAnta
Tantriki Diksha is further classified into seven main categories:
1.kriyAvatI: involving tattvAdhwa shodhana
2.varNamayI: involving mAtR^ikA nyAsa
3.kalAmayI: involving shiShya samskAra through 38 or 51 Kalas placed in Srshti, Sthiti and Samhara kramas
4.sparshamayI: through touch
5.dR^ig: through sight
6.vAk: through mantropadesha
7.vedha: involving kuNDalini utthApana and ShaTchakra – Shadgranthi bhedana through shaktipAta
Also, Diksha can be classified into:
1.AnavI
2.ShAkteyI
3.ShAmbhavI
trividhA sA bhaveddIkShA prathamA AnavI parA |
shAkteyI shAmbhavI chAnyA sadyo muktividhAyinI || [Shadanvaya Maharatna]
ANavi is again of ten kinds:
1.smArtI
2.mAnasikI
3.yogI
4.chAkShuShI
5.sparshinI
6.vAchikI
7.mAntrikI
8.hautrI
9.shAstrI
10.AbhiShechikI
shAkteyI dIkShA involves jnAnavatI and other forms whereas shAmbhavI includes vedha, mahAvedha etc.
Depending on the eligibility of the disciple, dIkSha is classified into six types:
1.samayA [has nothing to do with samayAchAra]
2.putrikA
3.sAdhikA
4.vedhikA
5.pUrNAchArya
6.Nirvana
Diksha: Dos and Donts
Diksha should not be obtained from the following:
1.Father
2.Maternal Grandfather
3.Younger Brother
4.One who has sought refuge under the enemy
piturmantraM na gR^ihNIyAt tathA mAtAmahasya cha |
sodarasya kaniShThasya vairipakShAshritasya cha || [Yogini Tantra]
Also, one should not initiate his own wife, son, daughter or brother.
na patnIM dIkShayedbhartA na pitA dIkShayetsutAm |
na putraM cha tathA bhrAtA bhrAtAram na cha dIkShayet || [Rudra Yamala]
There is an exception to this rule. If the husband has attained Mantra Siddhi, he can initiate his wife, but not as a disciple but as his Shakti. But this exception is valid only for Kaula and Vama Dikshas which are not suitable for the first three Varnas.
siddhamantro yadi patistadA patnIM cha dIkShayet |
shaktitvena varArohe na cha sA putrikA bhavet || [Siddha Yamala]
vIrANAM kaulikAnAM cha bhartA dIkShaNamAcharet || [Kaulikarnava Tantra]
Some scriptures permit the father initiating the eldest son.
nirbIjam cha piturmantraM shaive shAkte na duShyati || [Matsya Sukta]
nijakulatilakAya jyeShThaputraya dadyAt || [Tara Tantra]
manurvimR^ishya dAtavyo jyeShThaputrAya dhImate || [Sri Krama]
A Guru and Shishya should both not have the same name. This can be interpreted to mean either the vyavahAra nAma or the dIkShA nAma.
swanAmnA na guruH kAryo bhAryAM cha mAtR^inAmikAm || [Varahi Tantra]
If, one is initiated in any of the above prohibited ways, he should give up the mantra in the cow’s ear, undergo prAyashchitta and and get re-initiated from a qualified Guru. The appropriate prAyashchitta should be learnt from one’s Kula Guru. The general prAyashchitta here is recitation of 10000, 20000 and 40000 sAvitrI for the first three
varNas [dashasAhasrajApena sarvakalmaShanAshinI]. The fourth varNa is not discussed here as an aspirant belonging to the last varNa should necessarily obtain an initiation from one of the other three varNas.
prAyashchittaM tataH kR^itvA punardIkShAM samAcharet | [Ganesha Vimarshini]
Obtaining dIkShA from a brahmachAri is good. Diksha obtained from a householder is better, that from a Sanyasi better and Diksha from an ativarNAshrami [avadhUta] the Best.
uttamaH pa~nchadhA prokto gururbrahmasuvedibhiH |
brahmachArI gR^ihasthashcha vAnaprasthashcha bhikShukaH |
ativarNAshramI cheti kramashreShThA vichakShaNAH || [Suta Samhita]
Also, mantra obtained in a dream or through a lady can be accepted only after performing mantra samskAra due to the lack of sAkShAdAchAryatva in the case of a lady.
swapnalabdhaM striyA dattaM samskAreNaiva shuddhyati || [Yogini Tantra]
The lack of Acharyatva for strI/shUdra is described thus:
shUdrANAm cha tathA strINAM na gurutvaM kadAchana |
yogyamAdyaM guruM tyaktvA shiShyaH kShudrakriyAvidam |
guruM samAshrayedanyaM yaH prayAti sa durgatim || [Jayadratha Yamala]
Diksha obtained from a person belonging to the fourth varNa results in both the Guru and the Shishya attaining the hell.
shUdraH shUdramukhAcChrutvA vidyAM vA mantramuttamam |
gR^ihItvA narakaM yAti duHkhaM prApnoti nityashaH || [Tantraraja Tantra]
But in the case of Shakti Mantras alone, Diksha can be obtained from a lady, who has attained Mantra Siddhi, is not a widow and devoted to Guru. The Ban on Gurutva for a lady described in Yogini Tantra should be interpreted as applicable to a widow, one with a loose character or one without mantra siddhi.
sadhvI chaiva sadAchArA gurubhaktA jitendriyA |
sarvamantrArthatattvaj~nA sushIlA pUjane ratA ||
guruyogyA bhavetsApi vidhavA parivarjitA |
If one’s own mother fits into such a category, dIkshA obtained from her is considered to be several times greater than that obtained from others.
striyo dIkShA shubhA proktA mAtushchAShTaguNA smR^itA || [Bhairavi Tantra]
it should however be remembered that even in the case of a qualified Stri Guru, the mantra needs to undergo samskAra without which Siddhi will not be obtained.
Also, a Guru should initiate a lady only after her husband [in the case of a married lady], father [in the case of a kanyA] and son [in the case of a widow] are in agreement.
vidhavAyAH sutAdeshAt kanyAyAH piturAj~nayA |
nAdhikAraH swato nAryA bhAryAyA bharturAj~nayA || [Kularnava Tantra]
There is a general exception however. If the Guru has obtained the Siddhi of the mantra, he can initiate a disciple without the need for these rules.
siddhamantre guruH sarvamayogyaM yogyatAm nayet || [Shakti Yamala]
But what is this Siddhi we are talking about? Here Siddhi means realization of the Self or Atman and not simply Siddhi of a mantra or attainment of powers.
sarvatra vyatiriktaM tu AtmAnaM vetti yo dwijaH |
sarvalakShaNahIno.api sa gurunAtra saMshayaH || [Dakshinamurti Samhita]
The Shastras describe the Guru and Shishya Lakshana-s to the minutest of details and also the need for the Guru and Shishya to test each other. Having chosen one’s Guru after careful examination, if one gives up Swaguru or the iShTa mantra, such an aspirant welcomes poverty and untimely death. After death, he attains the hell called
raurava.
gurutyAgAdbhavenmR^ityuH mantratyAgAddaridratA |
gurumantraparityAgAdrauravaM narakaM vrajet || [Bhairavi Tantra]
However, if one realizes that his Guru is unqualified, sinner or incapable of imparting the desired knowledge, such a Guru can be discarded. However. Very careful consideration is necessary here as the disciple would need to have the required maturity to judge the Guru.
gR^ihItamantrastyaktavyo gurushcheddoShasaMyutaH |
mahApAtakayukto vA punashcheddevanindakaH || [Varahi Tantra]
j~nAnahIno gurustyAjyo mithyAvAdI viDambakaH || [Rudra Yamala]
anabhijnaM guruM prApya saMshayAcChedakArakam |
shiShyo gurvantaraM gatvA taddoShairnA.anulipyate || [Kularnava Tantra]
Also, those belonging to sankIrNa Varnas [mixed castes] are not eligible for Diksha. Only those belonging to one of the four varNas are eligible for Diksha. Those outside this realm are not considered eligible for Diksha.
brAhmaNA kShatriyA vaishyA shUdrA ye shuchayo.amalAH |
teShAM mantraH pradeyA vai na tu samkIrNavarNinAm || [Bhavishyottara Purana]
Mantradhikara and Dikshadhikara
Dikshadhikara for a Shudra is an oft discussed topic. There are several pramANas which deny dIksha to women and shUdras.
As a Shudra lacks eligibility for Diksha, all karmas should be performed without mantra. Note that ‘all karmas’ includes Diksha Samskara as well.
na mantre chAdhikAro.asti shUdrANAM niyamaH paraH |
mantrAbhAvAdamantreNa bhAshitaM sarvakarma hi || [Kapila Tantra]
yAvantyarNAni mantrANAM strIshUdrAdeH pradApayet |
tAvatyo brahmahatyA syuH swayamaha prajApatiH || [Shatatapa Samhita]
Though the Sruti says, ‘na shUdrAya manuM dadyAt’, this should be interpreted as referring to all Veda Mantras and particular Tanrika Mantras. Both the above pramANas refer to Vedic mantras alone. The fact that a shUdra is eligible for Diksha becomes clear from the following verse from the Yamala. A Brahmana, by the merit of Diksha, attains Brahma Loka, Kshatriya the abode of Indra, Vaishya attains the prAjApatya loka and shUdra attains gandharva loka.
dIkShitA brAhmaNA yAnti brahmalokamanAmayam |
aindraM lokaM kShatriyAstu prAjapatyaM tathA vishaH |
shUdrA gandharvanagaraM yAnti dIkShAprabhAvataH ||
Mantras which should not be given to a shUdra are those starting with praNava, Atma pAdukA, guru pAdukA, ajapA and those containing swAhA. If given, both the Guru and the disciple attain adho gati.
praNavAdyaM na dAtavyaM mantraM shUdrAya sarvathA |
AtmamantraM gurormantraM mantraM chAjapasaMjnakam ||
swAhApraNavasaMyuktaM shUdre mantraM dadan dwijaH |
shUdro nirayamApnoti brAhmaNo yAtyadhogatim || [Kaulikagama]
As stated in the Sruti, sAvitri, praNava and lakShmI mantras should be given to women and shUdras.
sAvitrIM praNavaM yattu lakShmIM strIshUdrayornecChantIti [Nrsimha Tapini]
Though containing swAhA, the 32-lettered mahAvidyA of Sri dakShiNA kAlI can be given to all. This is an exception as also the gopAla mantra. From tradition, it should be understood that gopAla here refers to dashAkShara gopAla alone and not other mantras like gupta gopAla, vedha gopAla or even the eighteen-lettered rAjagopAla.
nAtra siddhyAdyapekShAsti na vA siddhAri chintanam |
na chAdhikArichintAtra grahaNe kAlikA manoH || [Kali Kulasarvasva]
This exception is peculiar only to dakShiNA kAlI and not other forms like kAmakalA kAlI or guhya kAlI. Also, the modification of dakShiNA kAli, called the siddhi kAlI, does not fall under this category due to the presence of praNava.
For women and shUdras, mantras culminating with ‘namaH’ are specially favorable.
strIshUdrANAmayaM mantro namo.atashcha sukhAvahaH || [Kularnava Tantra]
Though some tantras claim that till a Shudra while within the Bhairavi Chakra, is equal to a Brahmana, this pramANa is not acceptable to first three varNas who do not recognize Tantras that prescribe parastrI gamana etc. [chatuHShaShTyA tantraiH sakalamatisandhAya bhuvanam].
pravR^itte bhairavIchakre sarve varNA dwijAtayaH |
nivR^itte bhairavIchakre sarve varNA pR^ithak pR^ithak || [Sammohana Tantra]
The following mantras should be given only to disciples belonging to the first three varNas:
aghoro dakShiNAmUrtiH umAmAheshwaro manuH |
hayagrIvo varAhashcha lakShmInArAyaNastathA ||
praNavAdyAshchaturvarNA vahnermantrAstathA raveH |
praNavAdyo gaNapatiH haridrAgaNanayakaH ||
saurAShTAkSharamantrashcha tathA rAmaShaDakSharaH |
mantrarAjo dhruvAdishcha praNavo vaidiko manuh ||
varNatrayAya dAtavyA ete shUdrAya no budhaiH ||
The following mantras should be given only to the first two varNas:
sudarshanaH pAshupata AgneyAstraM nR^ikesarI |
varNadwayAya dAtavyA nAnyavarNe kadAchana ||
The following mantras can be given to all the four varNas:
ChinnamastA cha mAta~NgI tripurA kAlikA shivaH |
laghushyAmA kalarAtriH gopAlo janakIpatiH ||
ugratArA bhairavashcha deyA varNachatuShTaye ||
Bhairava here refers to Vatuka and the group of astra bhairavas [Siddha, Vijaya, Krodha, Kapala, Anga, Damara etc.]. This list does not include swarNAkarShaNa bhairava, swacChanda bhairava, AkAsha bhairava, mahAmanthAna bhairava or the UrdhwAmnAya nava bhairavas.
Siddhadi Shodhana
As a general rule, though there are many ways of examining the suitability of a mantra for upAsanA, it is sufficient if one examines the tArA, rAshi and nAma chakras, provided the mantra is received from the Guru directly.
tarAchakraM rAshichakraM nAmachakraM tathaiva cha |
atra teShu gurormantre nAnyacchakraM vichArayet || [Varahi Tantra]
If the mantra consists of one, two or three letters, is a mAlA mantra [more than 20 letters], is Vedic or pertains to Nrsimha, Varaha, Surya, Shiva Panchakshara, Prasada or Pranava, there is no need for siddhAdi shodhana.
nR^isimhArkavarAhANAM prAsAda praNavasya cha |
sapiNDAkSharamantrANAM siddhAdInnaiva shodhayet || [Siddha Saraswata]
ekadwitryAdibIjasya siddhAdInnaiva shodhayet || [Vasistha Samhita]
ekAkSharasya mantrasya mAlAmantrasya pArvati |
vaidikasya cha mantrasya siddhAdInnaiva shodhayet || [Rudra Yamala]
Some prescribe specific Chakras for specific deities, like tArA for Vishnu Mantras, Kosha for Shiva, akaDama for Gopala, Danta for Ganesha, Kulakula for Mahalakshmi etc.
In the case of the Ten Maha Vidyas, no shodhana is necessary. However, this is true only when the mantra is received from a sampradAyavit Sadguru.
kAlI tArA mahAvidyA ShoDashI bhuvaneshwarI |
bhairavI ChinnamastA cha vidyA dhUmAvatI tathA ||
bagalA siddhavidyA cha mAta~NgI kamalA tathA |
etA dashamahAvidyAH siddhavidyAH prakIrtitAH ||
nAtra siddhAdyapekShAsti na nakShatravichAraNam |
kAlAdishodhanaM nAsti na chAmitrAridUShaNam || [Mundamala Tantra]
With the Maha vidyas, one should also worship the associated Bhairavas:
kAlikAyAH mahAkAlaH sundaryA laliteshwaraH |
tArAyAshcha tatho.akShobhyaH ChinnAyAH krodhabhairavaH ||
bhuvanAyAH mahAdevo dhUmrAyAH kAlabhairavaH |
nArAyaNo mahAlakShmyAH bhairavyA vaTukaH smR^itaH ||
mAta~NgyAshcha mata~NgaH syAdathavA syAtsadAshivaH |
mR^ityu~njayastu bagalA vidyAyAH parikIrtitaH ||
The list of thirteen and sixteen mahA vidyAs is found in scriptures as well:
kAlI tArA ChinnamastA sundarI bagalA ramA |
mAta~NgI bhuvanA siddhavidyA cha bhairavI tathA ||
dhUmAvatI cha dashamI mahAvidyA dasha smR^itAH |
chaNDeshwarI laghushyAmA tathA tripuranAyikA ||
trayodasha mahAvidyA shR^iNuShva ShoDashIM priye |
dashapUrvAshcha saMgR^ihya jayadurgA cha shUlinI ||
ashwArUDhA mahAvidyA trailokyavijayAbhidhA |
vArAhI annapUrNA cha kalAsaMkhyA prakIrtitAH ||
This list of sixteen Mahavidyas is different from the list of sixteen Mahavidya Amnaya Nayikas of Kadi Krama Tantra.
Also, the following Vidyas are said to grant complete Siddhi in the age of Kali Yuga when duly received from Sadguru:
kAlI nIlA mahAdurgA tvaritA ChinnamastakA |
vAgvAdinI chAnnapUrNA tathA pratya~NgirA punaH ||
kAmAkhyA vashinI bAlA mAta~NgI vindhyavAsinI |
ityAdyA paramA vidyAH sadA pUrNAphalapradAH ||
Anga Vidya Krama for Dasha Mahavidyas
Also, the initiation into any of the mahAvidyAs involves initiation into the Anga vidyas as well. Without the upAsanA of Anga Vidyas, Siddhi of the Mukhya Mantra is very difficult in Kali Yuga.
The Anga vidyas of Sri Kali have been discussed in detail elsewhere and hence I shall avoid repetition here.
Angas of Sri Shodashi:
ashwArUdhA mahAdevi sampatkarShA tathaiva cha |
shrItiraskariNI chaiva daNDinI mantrinAyikA ||
bAlA cha parameshAni nakulI kurukullakA |
tArAmbikA kAmakalA nityAShoDashakaM tathA ||
vidyA turIyA deveshi rashmividyAstathaiva cha |
navachakreshwarI devI parivAragaNaissaha ||
chatushcharaNavidyA cha tathaiva pa~nchapa~nchikA |
ShaDAsanamahAvidyA pa~nchaiva samayAmbikA ||
UrdhwAmnayaparAvidyA.anuttarAmnAyadevatAH |
parArdhAdhikasaMkhyAtAH parivArA maheshwari ||
Anga Vidyas of Sri Maha Nilasaraswati:
Adau tu sparshatArA syAt tatashchintAmaNiH smR^itaH |
tataH siddhijaTA proktA ugratArA tataH param ||
haMsatArA tato devi mahAnirvANatAriNI |
mahAnIlA maheshAnI nIlashAmbhavarUpiNI ||
vaTukaH kShetrapashchaiva gaNapo yoginI tathA |
akShobhyo vijayA vahnistathaiva chaNDaghaNTikA ||
shrIShoDhApa~nchakaM devi kAmasomAdayastathA |
kullukA pa~nchakaM devi tathArdrapaTikA matA ||
shivA.aghoraM pAshupataM chakraM tu jayadurgakam |
amoghaphaladA yakShI tathA padmAvatI shive ||
udbhaTAmbA bauddhanAthaH pArshvanAthastathaiva cha |
tAriNi manavo proktA ma~njughoSho mahAravaH ||
pratya~NgirA nArasiMhI bhairavAShTakameva cha |
pa~nchakalpalatAmantrAH sarvakAmaphalapradAH ||
raktachAmuNDikA nityakliinnA vidyA tathaiva cha |
bhayadwAdashahAriNyaH teShAma~NgamanustathA ||
Anga Vidyas of Chinnamasta:
gurumantro mAlinI cha kullukApa~nchakaM tathA |
kAlI tArA cha nakulI mAta~NgI siddhasundarI ||
trijaTaikajaTA shyAmA sabhedA chaiva pArvati |
vikaTA lampaTA devI yakShiNI parikIrtitA ||
yakshastu bhrAmako devi dIpinI parikIrititA |
dIpinI kAlikAyAstu ganeshAdichatuShkakam ||
vaTukashcha mahAkAlo krodharAjo.aparo.api cha |
pArshwamaNDalakaM devi mahAmahiShamardinI |
bhavAnI kamalA.aghorachatuShkaM parameshwari ||
Anga Vidyas of Bagalamukhi:
mR^ityu~njayashcha vaTukaH tathotkIlanadevatAH |
saptAstravidyA deveshi kullukApa~nchakaM tathA ||
tathA.aparAjitA shyAmA chANDAlI cha haridrakaH |
biDAlayakShiNI devI stambhanastvaritA tathA ||
swapneshwarI chaikajihvA mantrAnye bhairavAdayaH |
gaNapAdyAshcha manavo bhiinarUpeNa santi ye ||
Anga Vidyas of Kamalatmika:
mahAlakShyma~NgamantrAshcha shrIviShNurgaNapo.aNDajaH |
dhanadA cha kuberashcha nidhimantrA api priye ||
vidyAbhedAshcha deveshi bhuvanA vajrarUpinI |
vidyA bhogavatI devi lakshmInArAyaNaH paraH ||
kAmAkshI dhanarAj~nIti lakShmya`NgadevatAH smR^itAH ||
Anga Vidyas of Matangi:
mAta~NgyA siddhamAta~NgI nakulI cha saraswatI |
mAta~NgI pAdukA devi laghushyAmA cha kAminI ||
vIrabhadro mata~Ngashcha pramadA mohinI parA |
bhogesgayakShaH samprokto devi guptatamo manuH ||
pulindinI bhairavashcha ucChiShTagaNapastathA |
pishAchagaNapo devi ucChiShTabhairavo.aparaH ||
mahAvashyakarI ratnavidyA vAgvAdinI tathA |
mahAmnadhumatI devi tathA karNasuyakshiNI ||
ekavIrA cha tvaritA ghaNTAkarNo nishAcharaH |
aghoraH kullukAnAM cha pa~nchakaM parikIrtitam ||
Anga Vidyas of Siddha Bhuvaneshwari:
shivaH shivA vidhAtA cha tripuTA vaTukastathA |
kullukApa~nchakaM devi pa~nchAyatanameva cha ||
gaurI shrIra~njinI chaiva vidyAbhedAH sashaktayaH |
lokapalAdimanavo vANImantrAstathA priye |
hayagrIvaH hi~NgulA cha khaDgarAvaNa eva cha ||
Anga Vidyas of Dhumavati:
dhUmAvatya~NgamantrAshcha vIresho vaTukaH shive |
pratya~NgirA cha sharabhaH tathA pAshupato manuH ||
saMhArAstraM cha kakudI tathA karkaTikA shive |
mAriNI tvaritA vidyA kullukA pa~nchakaM tathA ||
Also in the case of Srividya, the scheme of dwAdasha (12) and dwAtrimshat Dikshas (32) are followed.
Dwadasha Diksha Krama:
dIkShAbhedamatho vakShye bAlA prathamato matA |
dwitIyA panchadashyuktA chaturAmnayajA varA ||
pa~nchAmnAyI chaturthI syAt ShoDashyantA tu pa~nchamI |
ShaShThI charaNaparyantA saptamI vAsanAntikA ||
rahasyAntA chAShTamI syAnnavamI ShoDashI parA |
ShaDdarshanAntA dashamI mahAvAkyAntimA tataH |
dwAdashI shrIpAdukAntA nyUnaM tatpUrvamuchyate ||
Dwatrimshat Diksha Krama:
dIkShAkrame manUnvakShye pUrve gaNapatiM gurum |
shuddhavidyAM cha bAlAM cha dwAdashArdhAM mata~NginIm ||
saubhAgyavidyA bagalA vArAhI vaTukastathA |
shrItiraskariNI pashchAddakShiNe manavasmR^itAH ||
lopAmudrA mahAdevI hyambA cha bhuvaneshwarI |
annapUrNA kAmakalA maNDalaM chApi pashchime ||
turIyAmbA mahArdhA cha ashwArUDhA tathaiva cha |
vAgvAdinI tataH pashchAnmishrAmbA chottare kramAt ||
parAparA cha sA devI parAshAmbhavameva cha |
prAsAdaM mAlinI chordhve mahAvAkyAdikaM tataH ||
shrIShoDashAksharI vidyAM vidyAmAdhArikAM tathA |
shrImahApAdukAM sAkShAtswAnyatAgrasanomukhIm ||
AtmanaH pAdukA vidyAM paramAdvaitabodhinIm |
dIkShabhedAstu te sarve dwAtrimshatparikIrtitAH ||
Diksha is not considered as absolutely necessary in the case of upavidyas and ShaTkarma mantras.
upavidyAsu sarvAsu ShaTkarmaadi prasaadhane |
nAtra dIkshAdyapekShA.asti nAtrA~NgAdi prapUjanam || [Chamunda Tantra]
Upavidyas refers to mantras of Yakshini, Gandharva, Chetaka, Damara, Shunaka, Naga etc. Shatkarma mantras are those that are used for AbhichAric rites such as vashya, AkarShaNa, ucchATana, mAraNa etc. Even if a dIkShita performs these, he earns huge bad Karma that can be got rid of in hundreds of births. Then what to talk of those without Diksha or Guru Kripa? According to some, ‘dIkShA’ here refers to kriyAvatI, kalAmayI, vedha and other Dikshas. It is believed that upadesha dIkShA is necessary even in the case of such mantras.
paramashivavadhUTI pAtu mAM kAmakoTI