The initiation in Śaiva culture
There are two different streams within Śaivism. They are saiddhāntika and non- saiddhāntika or bhairava streams. Even as the initiation rites are similar to a great extent in both streams the philosophy behind the initiation differs
The Saiddhāntika initiation
The dualistic saiddhāntika stream considers worship as one of the major means to attain the ultimate goal. So, one of the main purposes of getting initiated, according to saiddhāntika stream, is to become qualified to perform Śaiva rituals, temple rituals in general. In short, collective worship occupies the central position in the saiddhāntika stream. According to saiddhāntika view an initiation serves two purposes 1) it qualifies someone to perform rituals and 2) also leads to liberation
The siddhānta agamas speak of various kinds of initiation.7 But two of them are commonly believed to be important namely samayadīksha and nirvana diksha. Their purposes are also different. The former can be said as a right-giving initiation. It bestows the right to perform installation rituals (Pratishta). The nirvana dīksā bestows both i.e.the right to perform rituals and liberation. But it is mainly intended for those who seek liberation. There is a hierarchy of initiates namely Samayin, Putraka, Sādhaka and Ācārya. The Samayin is placed at the lowest position and he gradually ascends to the levels Putraka, Sādhaka and Ācārya. Among them only the Ācārya is sanctioned to perform installation rituals.
The non- Saiddhāntika initiation
Temple construction and the rituals are not at all a matter of concern for non-dualistic bhairava stream. Instead, the focus is fully on attaining liberation. They hold the initiation as Śiva‟s grace that frees the soul from all the bondages and leads to liberation either at the time of initiation or during his life span. They further postulate that Siva‟s grace is felt as descent of grace (śaktipāta). It may fall on someone either at the time of initiation through a mediator (Guru) or independent of mediator or ritual.
The Saiddhāntika initiation
The dualistic saiddhāntika stream considers worship as one of the major means to attain the ultimate goal. So, one of the main purposes of getting initiated, according to saiddhāntika stream, is to become qualified to perform Śaiva rituals, temple rituals in general. In short, collective worship occupies the central position in the saiddhāntika stream. According to saiddhāntika view an initiation serves two purposes 1) it qualifies someone to perform rituals and 2) also leads to liberation
The siddhānta agamas speak of various kinds of initiation.7 But two of them are commonly believed to be important namely samayadīksha and nirvana diksha. Their purposes are also different. The former can be said as a right-giving initiation. It bestows the right to perform installation rituals (Pratishta). The nirvana dīksā bestows both i.e.the right to perform rituals and liberation. But it is mainly intended for those who seek liberation. There is a hierarchy of initiates namely Samayin, Putraka, Sādhaka and Ācārya. The Samayin is placed at the lowest position and he gradually ascends to the levels Putraka, Sādhaka and Ācārya. Among them only the Ācārya is sanctioned to perform installation rituals.
The non- Saiddhāntika initiation
Temple construction and the rituals are not at all a matter of concern for non-dualistic bhairava stream. Instead, the focus is fully on attaining liberation. They hold the initiation as Śiva‟s grace that frees the soul from all the bondages and leads to liberation either at the time of initiation or during his life span. They further postulate that Siva‟s grace is felt as descent of grace (śaktipāta). It may fall on someone either at the time of initiation through a mediator (Guru) or independent of mediator or ritual.
