Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18
Mantraśodhana, Dīkṣā-krama, Guru-Pādukā, Ajapā-Haṃsa, and Ṣaṭcakra-Kuṇḍalinī Sādhana
दीक्षयेञ्च गुरुः शिष्यं तद्विधानमुदीर्यते । नित्यकृत्यं विधायाथ प्रणम्य गुरुपादुकाम् ॥ १८ ॥
dīkṣayeñca guruḥ śiṣyaṃ tadvidhānamudīryate | nityakṛtyaṃ vidhāyātha praṇamya gurupādukām || 18 ||
El maestro debe conferir la dīkṣā al discípulo, tras declarar primero el procedimiento correcto de esa iniciación. Luego, haciendo que el discípulo cumpla los deberes diarios prescritos, debe postrarse con reverencia ante las pādukās, las sandalias del Guru.
Narada (teaching in a Vedanga/ritual-technical context; traditional dialogue framework with the Sanatkumara tradition in the Narada Purana)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It establishes that initiation (dīkṣā) is not merely a mantra-transfer but a disciplined rite: the guru explains the method, aligns the disciple with nitya-karmas (daily duties), and seals the act with humility and surrender symbolized by bowing to the guru’s pādukās.
By emphasizing praṇāma to the guru’s pādukās, the verse highlights bhakti expressed as reverence, service, and surrender to the spiritual preceptor—seen as the doorway through which devotion becomes properly guided and protected from error.
The verse points to procedural correctness in rites (a Vedanga-oriented concern): the guru must state the vidhi (method) and ensure the disciple’s nitya-karmas are performed, reflecting the technical discipline that underlies mantra- and ritual-based practice.