Diksha (Sanskrit: दीक्षा, IAST: dīkṣā) also spelled diksa, deeksha or deeksa in common usage, translated as a "preparation or consecration for a religious ceremony",[1] is giving of a mantra or an initiation by the guru (in Guru–shishya tradition) of Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
[3][4] Dīkṣā can be of various types, through the teacher's sight, touch, or word, with the purpose of purifying the disciple or student.
[3] Another type of dīkṣā, into a monastic order, involves a vow of celibacy, renunciation of all personal possessions and of all worldly duties, including family ties.
Vishnu Yamala (tantra) says: "The process that bestows divyam jnanam (transcendental, spiritual knowledge) and destroys sin (pāpa), the seed of sin and ignorance, is called dīkṣā by the spiritual persons who have seen the Truth (desikais tattva-kovidaih).
Kriyāvatī dīkṣā is further divided: sabīja and nirbīja, with nirbīja having subcategories of sadyo nirvāṇada and dehapātānte nirvāṇada, and sabīja into loka dharminī and śiva dharmini, with loka dharminī further divided into nirādhikāra and sādhikāra.
A descendant guru of Vallabhacharya has the initiate repeat the aṣṭākṣara mantra 3 times, and is given a kaṇṭhī.
As part of a vedic ritual, the initiate receives the guru mantra, which translates to "I take refuge in Swaminarayana".
During the initiation ceremony, the presiding senior ascetic bestows a new name and symbolic implements: Śvetāmbaras receive robes, an alms bowl, a whisk, a staff, and sometimes a mouth-shield (in the case of Sthānakvāsī and Terāpanthī initiates), while Digambaras, who adopt nudity, are given only a whisk and a water pot.