Śrīmad Devi Bhāgavatam | Book 12 Chapter 7

THE TWELFTH BOOK

Chapter VII

On the Dīkṣā vidhi or on the rules of Initiation

1-3. Nārada said:

I have heard the one thousand names or nama stotras equivalent in its fruits to Śrī Gāyatrī, highly potent in making a good fortune and tending to a splendid increase of the wealth and prosperity.

Now I want to hear about how initiations in Mantrams are performed, without which nobody, be he a Brahmin, a Kṣattriya, a Vaiśya or a Śudrā, is entitled to have the Devī Mantra.

O Lord! Kindly describe the ordinary (Sāmānya) and the special (viśeṣa) rules thereof.

4-41. Nārāyaṇa said:

O Nārada! Listen. I am now telling you about the rules of initiation (Dīkṣā) of the disciples, pure in heart.

When they are initiated, they become entitled then and not before that, to worship the Devas, the Fire and the Guru.

That method of instruction, and religious act and ceremony is called the Dīkṣā (initiation) by which the Divine Knowledge is imparted; and at once flashes in the heart and mind of the initiated that Knowledge and all his sins are then destroyed. So the Pundits of the Vedas and the Tantras, say. (The Divine Knowledge is like lightning, fire, arising and permeating the body, mind, and spirit.)

This Dīkṣā ought to be taken by all means. This gives excellent merits and pure results.

Both the Guru and the Śiṣya (disciple) ought to be very pure and true. (This is the first essential requisite. Then the results are instantaneous).

First of all, the Guru is to perform all the morning duties, he is to take his bath and perform his Sandhyā Vandanams. He is to return home from the banks of the river with his Kamaṇḍalu and observe maunam (silence).

Then, in order to give Dīkṣā, he is to enter into the assigned room (Yāga Maṇḍapa) and take his seat on an Āsana that is excellent and calculated to please all.

He is to perform Āchanara and do Prāṇāyāma. Then he should take water in his Arghya vessel and putting scents and flowers in that, charge that water with Phaṭkāra mantra (that is, condense electricity Spirit in that).

Then uttering the Phaṭ mantra, he is to sprinkle the water on the doorways of the worship-room and begin his Pūjā.

Firstly, on the top of the door at one end invoke the Deity Gaṇanāthā by His mantra, at the other end invoke Saraswatī by Her mantra and at the middle, invoke Lakṣmī Devī by Her mantra duly and worship them, with flowers.

Then, on the right side worship Ganga and Vighṇeśa; and on the left side worship Kṣettrapāla and Yamunā, the daughter of the Sun. Similarly, on the bottom of the door, worship the Astra Devatā by the Phaṭ mantra.

Then consider the whole Maṇḍapa as inspired with the presence of the Devī, and see the whole place as pervaded by Her through and through.

Then, repeat the Phaṭ mantra and destroy the Celestial obstacles as well as those from the middle space (Antarīkṣa); strike the ground thrice with the left heel and thus destroy the Terrene obstacles.

Then touching the left branch on the left side of the choukāṭ, put the right foot forward and enter into the Maṇḍapa.

Then install the Śānti Kumbha (the peace jar) and offer the ordinary Arghya (Sāmānyārgha).

Next worship the Vāstunātha and Padmayoni with flowers and Ātapa rice and the Arghya water, on the south-west and then purify the Pañcha Gavya.

Next sprinkle all the Maṇḍapa and the entrance gate with that Arghya water. And, while sprinkling with Arghya water, consider the whole space right through as inspired with the presence of the Devī and repeat the Mūla Mantra with devotion and sprinkle with Phaṭ mantra.

The Kartā, then, uttering the mantra “Phaṭ,” is to drive away all the evils from the Maṇḍapa and uttering the mantra “Hūm” sprinkle water, all around, thus pacifying the atmosphere and bringing peace into the hearts of all present.

Then burn the Dhūpa incense inside and scatter Vikira (water, sandal-paste, yava, ashes, Durba grass with roots, and Ātapa rice).

Then collect all these rice, etc., again with a broom made of Kuśa grass to the north east corner of the Maṇḍapa; making the Sankalpa and uttering Svasti vāchana (invocation of good), distribute and satisfy the poor and orphans with feeding, clothing and money.

Then he should bow down to his own Guru and take his seat humbly on the soft Āsana allotted to him with his face eastwards and meditate on the Deity (Iṣṭā Deva) of the mantra that is to be imparted to the disciple.

After meditating thus, he is to do the Bhūta Śuddhi (purification of elements) and perform Nyāsa, etc., of the Deva mantra (the mantra that is to be imparted to the disciple) according to the rules stated below,

i.e., the Ṛiṣi on the head; the chhandas in the mouth, the Iṣṭā Devatā in the heart, Bīja on the anus and Śaktī Nyāsa on the two legs.

Then he is to make sound thrice by the clap of his palm and thus thwart off all the evils of the earth and the middle space and then make digbandhan (tying up the quarters) by the mudrā chhoṭikā three times (snapping the thumb and forefinger together).

Then perform the Prāṇāyāma with the Mūla mantra of the would- be-Iṣṭā-Devatā and do the Mātrikā Nyāsa in one’s own body, thus:

Om Am namaḥ Śirasi, Om Ām namaḥ on the face, Om Im namah on the right eye, Om Īm namaḥ on the left eye, and so on, assign all the letters duly to their respective places.

Then perform the Karānga Nyāsa on the fingers and the Ṣaḍaṇga Nyāsa thus:

Speak: Om Hridayāya namaḥ, touching on the heart, utter Om Śirase Svāhā, touching the head; Om Śikhāyai Vaṣat, touching the tuft; Om Kavachāya Hūm, touching on the Kavācha, “Om netratrayāya Vauṣaṭ,” touching the eye, and “Om Astrāya Phaṭ” touching both the sides of the hand, the palm and its back.

Then finish the Nyāsa by doing the Varṇanyāsa of the Mūla mantra in those places that are said in the cognate kalpas (i.e., throat, heart, arms, legs, etc.).

O Nārada! Next consider within your body the seat of an auspicious Āsana (a seat) and make the Nyāsa of Dharma on the right side, Jñānam on the left side, of Vairāgyam (dispassion) on the left thigh, prosperity and wealth on the right thigh, of non-Dharma in the mouth and of Non-Jñānam on the left side, Avairāgyam (passion) on the navel, and poverty on the right side.

Then think of the feet of the Āsana (the body) as Dharma, etc., and all the limbs as Adharma (non-Dharma). In the middle of the Āsana (body), i.e., in the heart consider Ananta Deva as a gentle bed and on that a pure lotus representing this universe of five elements.

Then make Nyāsa of the Sun, Moon, and Fire on this lotus and think the Sun as composed of twelve Kalās (digits) the Moon composed of sixteen Kalās (digits) and the Fire as composed of ten Kalās.

Over this make Nyāsa of Sattva, Rāja and Tamo Guṇas, Ātmā, Antarātmā, Paramātmā and Jñānātmā and then think of this as his Iṣṭa’s altar where the devotee is to meditate on his Iṣṭa Devatā, the Highest Mother.

Nyāsa-assignment of the various parts of the body to different deities which is usually accompanied with prayers and corresponding gesticulations.

Next the devotee is to perform the mental worship of the Deva Mantra Devatā according to the rules of his own Kalpa;

next he is to show all the Mudras, stated in the Kalpa for the satisfaction of the Deva.

The Devas become very pleased when all these Mudras are shown to them.

42-46. O Nārada! Now, on one’s left side, erect an hexagon; inside it a circular figure; inside this again a square and then draw within that square a triangle and over it show the Śankha Mudra.

After finishing the Pūjā of the Six Deities at the six corners of the hexagon, Fire, etc., take the tripod of the Śankha (conch-shell) and sprinkling it with Phaṭ mantra, place it within the triangle.

Utter, then, the Mantra “Maṃ Vahniman dalāya Daśa Kalātmane Amuka Devyā Arghyapātrasthānāya namaḥ” and thus worshipping the Śānkhya vessel place it within the mandala.

Then worship in the Śankha pātra, the ten Kalās of Fire, beginning from the East, then south-east and so on.

Sprinkle the Śankha, conch-shell, with the Mūla Mantra and meditating on it, place the Śankha (conch shell) on the tripod.

Repeating the mantra: “Am Sūrya maṇḍalāya Dvadaśakalātmane Amukodevyā Arghyapātrāya namaḥ” worship in the Arghyapātra Śankha, sprinkle water in the Śankha with the Mantra: “Saṃ Śankhya namaḥ.”

Worship in due order the twelve Kalās of the Sun Tapinī, Tapinī, Dhūmra, etc., utter the fifty syllables of the Mātrikā in an inverse order (i.e., beginning, see the Sāradā Tilaka, with Kṣaṃ, Haṃ, Ṣaṃ, Sam, Śaṃ, etc.,) and repeating the Mūla Mantra also in an inverse order, fill the Śankha, three-fourths, with water.

Next perform in it the Nyāsa of Chandrakalā and uttering the Mantra: “Uṃ Soma maṇḍalāya Ṣoḍaśakalātmane Amukademtāyā Arghyā-mritāyanamaḥ,” worship in this conch-shell.

Next with Ankuśa mudra, invoke all the Tīrthas there, repeating the Mantra: “Gange Cha Yamune chaiva, etc.,” and repeat eight times the Mūla Mantra (the basic Mantra).

Then perform the Śaḍamga Nyāsa in the water and with the Mantra “Hridā namaḥ, etc.,” worship and, repeating eight times the Mūla Mantra, cover it with Matsyamundrā.

Next place on the right side of the Śankha, the Prokṣaṇī Pātra (the Kośā vessel from which water is taken for sprinkling) and put a little water in it.

By this water sprinkle and purify all the articles of worship as well as one’s own body and consider one’s Ātman as pure and holy.

47-81. After doing works thus far the until Viśeṣārghya is placed, the devotee should erect Sarvato bhadra mandala within the altar and put the Śāli rice within its pericarp.

Next spread Kuśa grass on that Mandala and put on one Kurcha, looking well and auspicious within it, made of twenty-seven Kuśa grass knotted with Venyagra granthi.

Worship here the Ādhāra Śaktī, Prakriti, Kūrma, Śeṣa, Kṣamā, Sudhāsindhu, Maṇimaṇḍala, Kalpa vrikṣa and Iṣṭa devatā and the Pīṭha. (Durgā Devī yoga pīṭhāya namaḥ).

Then have an entire Kumbha (water jar) having no defect, wash it inside with Phaṭ mantra, and encircle it with the red thread thrice as symbolising the three Guṇas.

Place within this jar the Nava ratna (nine jewels) with Kurcha and worshipping it with scents and flowers put them in the jar repeating the Praṇava, and place that on the Pīṭha (seat).

Next consider the Pīṭha and Kumbha (water jar) as one and the same and pour waters from the Tīrthas, repeating in an inverse order the Mātrikā Varṇas (from Kṣa to Ka) and fill it, thinking of the Iṣṭa Deva and repeating the basic mantra, put the new and fresh twigs (Pallavas) of Aśvattha, Panasa and mango trees, etc., in the jar and cover its mouth and place over it fruits, rice, and chaṣaka (honey) and wrap it with two red cloths.

Then perform the Prāṇa-Pratiṣṭhā and invoke the Spirit of the Devī by the Prāṇasthāpana Mantra and show the Mudras, Āvāhana, etc., and thus satisfy the Devī.

Then do the Ṣoḍaśopachāra Pūjā of the Devī after meditating on the Parameśvarī according to the rules of the Kalpa.

First offer “welcome” in front of the Devī and then duly offer the Pādya, Arghya, Āchamanīya water, Madhuparka, and oils, etc., for the bath.

Then offer nice red silken clothes and various jewels, ornaments; repeating the Mātrikā syllables electrified with the Deva Mantra, worship the whole body of the Devī with scents and flowers.

Next offer to the Devī the sweet scent of Kalāguru mixed with camphor and the Kāśmīri sandalpaste mixed with Kastūrī and various nice scented flowers, for example, the Kuṇḍa flowers, etc.

Then offer the Dhūpa prepared from Aguru, Guggula, Uśīra, sandal paste, sugar, and honey and know that the Dhūpa is very pleasing to the Devī.

Next offer various lights and offerings of fruits, vegetables and food. Be particular to sprinkle everything with the water of the Kosā, thus purifying, before it is offered to the Devī.

Then complete the Aṇga Pūjā, and the Āvaraṇa- Pūjā of the Devī, and then perform the duty of Viśvadeva.

On the right side of the Devī erect an altar (sthanḍila) six feet square and install Agṇi (Fire) there. Invoke there the Deity, thinking of Her Form and worship Her with scents and flowers.

Then with the Vyārhiti Mantra with Svāhā prefixed and Mūla (Deva) Mantra perform the Homa ceremony with oblations, charu and ghee, twenty five times.

Next perform Homa again with Vyārhiti.

Next worship the Devī with scents, etc., and consider the Devī and Pīṭha Devatā as one and the same.

Then take leave of (visarjana) the Agṇi (Fire). Offer valis (sacrifices) all round to the Pārśvadas of the Devī with the remnant charu of the Homa.

Now again worship the Devī with five offerings and offer betel, umbrella, chāmara and others and repeat the Mūla mantra thousand times.

After finishing the Japam, place Karkarī (a water-jar with small holes at the bottom, as in a sieve) on the rice in the north-eastern corner and invoke the Devī there and worship Her.

Uttering the mantra “Rakṣa Rakṣa” moisten the place with water coming out of Karkarī, and repeat the Phaṭ mantra. After re-worshipping the Devī, place Karkarī in due position.

Thus the Guru finishes the Adhivāsa (foregoing) ceremony and takes his meals with the disciple and sleeps that night on that altar.

82-106. O Nārada! Now I am describing briefly about the Homa Kuṇḍa (a round hole in the ground consecrated to the Deity) and the Saṁskāra ceremony of the Sthanḍila (the sacrificial altar).

Uttering, first, the Mūla Mantra, see, fix your gaze on the Kuṇḍa; then sprinkle it with water and the Phaṭ mantra and drive away the evil-spirits from there. Then with mantra “Hūm” again sprinkle it with water.

Then draw within it three lines Prāgagra and Udagagra (on the eastern and northern sides).

Sprinkling it with water and the Praṇava, worship within the Pīṭha, uttering the mantras from Ādhāra Śaktaye namaḥ to Amuka Devī Yoga Pīṭhāya namaḥ.

Invoke, in that Pīṭha, the Highest One, Who is Śiva Śivā with all one-ness of heart and worship Her with scents and offerings.

Then think for a moment the Devī as having taken bath and as one with Śankara. Bring then fire in a vessel and taking a flaming piece thereof throw that in the south-west corner.

Then purifying it by the gaze and quitting the portions of Kravyādaḥ, impart the Chaitanya by “Raṃ,” the Vahṇivīja repeat “Om” over it seven times.

Show, then, the Dhenumudra and protect it by Phaṭ Kāra and cover, veil, it with the mantra “Hūm.”

Then turn the fire, thus worshipped with sandalpaste, etc., thrice over the Kuṇḍa and with both the knees on the ground and repeating the Praṇava, consider the Agṇi as the Vīrya of Śiva and throw it on the yoni of the Devī in the Pīṭha.

Then offer Āchamana, etc., to the Deva and the Devī and worship.

Then light the flame with the mantra: “Chit Pingala Hana Hana Daha Daha Pacha Pacha Sarvajñā Jñāpaya Svāhā.’’

Then utter the stotra to the Agni Deva with great love, repeating the mantra: “Agnim Prajvalitam vande Jātavedam Hutāśanaṃ suvarṇa varṇamamalam samiddham Visvatomukhaṃ.”

Then perform the Ṣaḍaṃganyāsa to the Agṇi Deva:

“Om Sahasrārchchiṣe namaḥ,
Om Svasti Pūrṇāya Svāhā,”
“Om Uttiṣṭha Puruṣāya vaṣat,”
“Om Dhūma vyāpine Hūṃ
Om Sapta Jihvāya Vauṣaṭ”
“Om Dhanur dharāya Phaṭ.”

Repeating the above six mantras, perform the Nyāsa on the heart, etc., the six places.

Now meditate on the Agni as of a golden colour, three-eyed, seated on a lotus and holding in His four hands signs of granting boons, Śakti, Swastika and sign of “no fear,” also meditate on Agni, as the seat of the greatest auspiciousness.

Then moisten the Kuṇḍa on the top of the belt (mekhalā) with water.

Next spread the Kuśa grass all around and draw the Agni yantra over it, i.e., triangle, hexagon, circle, eight-petalled figure and Bhūpura; rather have this drawing before the Agṇisthāpanā. Now meditate this only.

Then, within the Yantra, recite: “Vaiśvānara Jātaveda Lohitākṣa sarvakarmāṇi Sādhaya Svāhā” and worship Agni.

Then worship in the centre and in the hexagon at the corners worship the Sapta Jihvā (seven tongues Hiraṇya, Gaganā, Raktā, Kṛṣṇā, Suprabhā, Bahurūpā, Atiraktikā) and next worship within the pericarp of the lotus the Aṇga Devatās.

Then recite the following mantras within the eight petals: “Om Agnaye Jātavedase namaḥ,” “Om Agnaye Saptajihvāya namaḥ,” “ Om Agnaye Havyavāhanāya namaḥ,” “Om Agnaye Aśvodarajāya namaḥ,” “Om Agnaye Vaiśvānarāya namaḥ,” “Om Agnaye Kaumāra tejase namaḥ,” “Om Agnaye Viśvamukhāya namaḥ,” “Om Agnaye Devamukhāya namaḥ” and considering the forms to hold Śaktī and Swastika, worship them.

Then consider Indra and the other Lokapālas (Regents of the several quarters) situated in the east, south-east, and so on together with their weapons, the thunderbolt and the other weapons, and thus worship them.

107-134. O Nārada! Next purify the sacrificial ladles, etc., sruk, sruva, etc., and ghee; then, taking ghee by sruva, go on with the Homa ceremony.

Divide the ghee of the Ājyasthālī (the vessel in which the ghee for the Homa purposes is kept) in three parts;

take ghee from the right side and saying “Om Agnaye Svāhā’’ offer oblations on the right eye of the Agni; take ghee from the left side and saying “Om Somāye Svāhā” offer oblations on the left eye of the Agni;

take ghee from the centre and saying, “Om Agniṣomābhyāṃ Svāhā,” offer oblations on the central eye of the Agni.

Take ghee again from the right side and saying “Om Agnaye Sviṣṭakṛite Svāhā” offer oblations to the mouth of the Agni.

Then the devotee is to repeat “Om Bhuḥ Svāhā,” “Om Bhuvaḥ Svāhā,” “Om Svaḥ Svāhā” and offer thrice the oblations; next he is to offer oblations thrice with the Agni mantra.

After this, O Muni! for impregnation and each of the ten Saṁskāras, natal-ceremony, tonsure, etc., he is to repeat the Praṇava Mantra and offer the eight oblations of ghee on each occasion.

Now hear of the tenfold Saṁskāras:

(1) Impregnation, (2) Puṃsavan (a ceremony performed as soon as a woman perceives the foetus to be quick), (3) Sīmantonnayana (a ceremony observed by women in the fourth, sixth or the eighth month of pregnancy), (4) Jāta Karma (ceremony at the birth of a child), (5) Nāmakaraṇa, (naming the child), (6) Niṣkrāmaṇa (a ceremony performed when a new-born child is first taken out of the house into the open air usually in the fourth month), (7) Annaprāśana (when the rice is put in the mouth of the child), (8) Chūḍākaraṇa (the ceremony of the first tonsure), (9) Upanayana (holding the sacrificial thread; (10) Godāna and Udvāha (gift of cows and marriage). These are stated in the Vedas.

Next worship Śiva Pārvatī, the Father and the Mother of Agni and take leave of them.

Next in the name of Agni, offer five Samidhas (fuel) soaked in ghee and offer one oblation of ghee to each of the Āvaraṇa Devatās.

Then take the ghee by the Śruk and covering it with the Śruva, offer ten oblations to Agni, and Mahā Gaṇeśa with mantras ending in Vauṣaṭ, The Mahā Gaṇeśa mantras run as follows:

 (1) Om, Om Svāhā (2) Om Śrīm Svāhā, (3) Om Śrīm Hrīm Svāhā, (4) Om Śrīm Hrīm Klīm Svāhā, (5) Om Śrīm Hrīm Klīm Glauṃ Svāhā, (6) Om Śrīm Hrīm Klīm Glauṃ Gaṃ Svāhā, (7) Om Śrīm Hrīm Klīm Glauṃ ityantaḥ Gaṃ Gaṇapataye Svāhā, (8) Om Vara Varada ityantaḥ Svāhā, (9) Sarvajanaṃ me Vaśaṃ ityanto Svāhā and (10) Anaya Svāhā ityantaḥ.

Next perform in the Agni the Pīṭha Pūjā and meditate on the Deva Iṣṭā dēva and worship him. Next offer twenty-five oblations to his face, repeating the Mūla Mantra.

Then think of that and Agni Deva as one and the same, and then again as one with Ātman.

Then offer oblations to each of the Ṣaḍaṃga Devatās separately. Then search for the Nāḍis (veins) of Vahṇi and Iṣṭa Devatā and offer twenty one oblations.

Then offer oblations to each of the two Devatās separately.

Next offer one thousand and eight oblations to the Iṣṭa Deva with Til soaked in ghee or with the materials enumerated in the Kalpa.

O Muni! Thus finishing the Homa ceremony, consider that the Iṣṭa Deva (the Devī), Agni and the Āvaraṇa Deities are all satisfied.

Then, by the command of the Guru, the disciple is to take his bath and perform his Sandhyā, etc., and put on new clothes (cloth and chādar) and golden ornaments.

He is to come then, to the Kuṇḍa with Kamaṇḍalu in his hand and with a pure heart. He is to bow down to the elders and superiors seated in the assembly and take his seat in his Āsana.

Śrī Guru Deva then would look at the disciple with kind eyes and think the Chaitanya of the disciple within his own (the Guru’s) body.

Then the Guru Deva would perform the Homa and look at the disciple with a divine gaze, so that the disciple becomes pure- hearted and able to get the favours of the Devas.

Thus the Guru must purify all the Adhvas (the passages) of the body of the disciple.

Then the Guru is to touch respectively the feet, generative organ, navel, heart, forehead, and the head of the disciple with Kurcha (a bundle of Kuśa grass) and Til soaked in ghee, in his left hand and offer at each touch eight oblations, repeating the mantra “Om Ādya Śiṣyasya Kalādhvānam Śodhayāmi Svāhā, etc.”

Thus the Guru would purify Kalādhva (in the feet) Tattvādhva (in the generative organ), Bhūvanādhva (in the navel), Varṇādhva (in the heart), Padādhva (in the fore-head) and Mantrādhva (on the head), the six Adhvas and think these all to be dissolved in Brahmā (Brahmalīna).

135-155. Then, again, the Guru would think all these to be re-born from Brahmā and transfer the Chaitanya of the disciple that was in him to the disciple.

Then the Guru must offer Pūrṇāhuti and consider the Iṣṭa Devatā, placed in the fire by the visarjana mantra for the Homa purposes, as entered into the water-jar.

He is to perform again the Vyārhiti Homa and offer all the Aṃgāhutis (oblations to all the limbs) of the fire and take leave of the fire withdrawing the Deity from the jar, into his own body.

Uttering then the Vauṣaṭ Mantra he would tie the eyes of the disciple with a piece of cloth and would bring him from the Kuṇḍa to the mandala and make the disciple offer puṣpāṇjali (flowers in his palm) to the Iṣṭa deva.

Then he would take away the bandage or piece of cloth from his eyes and ask him to take his seat in the seat Kuśāsana.

Thus the Guru, after having purified the elements of the body of the disciple and performed the Nyāsa of the Deva Mantra, would make the disciple sit in another mandala.

Then he would touch the head of the disciple with the twigs (Pallavas) of the Kuṇḍa and repeat the Mātrikā Mantra and make him have his bath with the water of the jar which is considered as the seat of the Iṣṭa Deva.

Then, for the protection of the disciple, he would sprinkle (abhiṣeka) him with the water of the Vardhani vessel placed already in the north-east corner.

Then the disciple would get up and put on the pair of new clothes and besmear his whole body with ashes and sit close to the Guru.

When the merciful Guru would consider that the Śiva Śaktī has now passed out of his own body and that Divine Force, the Devī, has entered into the body of the disciple, i.e., charged the disciple with the pass.

Thinking now the disciple and the Devatā to be one and the same, the Guru would now worship the disciple with flowers and scents.

The Guru would then place his right hand on the head of the disciple and repeat clearly in his right ear the Mahā Mantra of the Mahā Devī.

The disciple is to repeat also the Mahā Mantra one hundred and eight times and fall prostrate on the ground before the Guru and thus bow down to the Guru, whom the disciple now thinks as the incarnate of the Deva.

The disciple, the devotee of the Guru, would now give as a Dakṣiṇā all his wealth and property for his whole life to the Guru.

Then he would give Dakṣiṇā to the priests and make charities to the virgins; the Brāhmaṇas, the poor and the destitute and the orphans.

Here he is not to be miserly in any way in the expenditure.

O Nārada! Thus the disciple would consider himself blessed and he would daily remain engaged in repeating the Mahā Mantra.

Thus I have described to you above the most excellent Dīkṣā.

Thinking all these, you are to remain ever engaged in worshipping the lotus feet of the Great Devī. There is no Dharma higher than this in this world for the Brāhmaṇas.

The followers of the Vedas would impart this Mantra according to the rules stated respectively in their own Grihya Sūtras; and the Tāntrics would also do the same according to their own Tantras.

The Vaidiks should not follow the Tantra rules and the Tāntrics are not to follow the Vaidik rules. Thus all the Śāstras say. And this is the Sanātana Creed.

Nārāyaṇa said:

O Nārada! I have described all about the ordinary Dīkṣā that you questioned me. Now the essence in brief is this that you would remain always merged in worshipping the Parā Śakti, the Highest Force, the Mahā Devī.

What more shall I say than this that I have got the highest pleasure and the Nirvāna, the peace, that pass all understanding, from my daily worshipping That Lotus Feet duly.

Vēda Vyāsa said:

O Mahārāja! O Janamejaya! After having said this Dīkṣātattva, the highest Yogi Bhagavān Nārāyaṇa, meditated by the Yogis, closed his eyes and remained merged in Samādhi, in the meditation of the Lotus Feet of the Devī.

Knowing this Highest Tattva, Nārada, the chief of the Riṣis, bowed down at the feet of the Great Guru Nārāyaṇa and went away immediately to perform the tapasyā so that he also might see the Mahā Devī.

Here ends the Seventh Chapter of the Twelfth Book on the Dīkṣā vidhi or on the rules of Initiation in the Mahāpurāṇam Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam of 18,000 verses by Mahāṛṣi Veda Vyāsa.