KAUAI, HAWAII, January 14, 2024 (Hinduism Today, by Dr. S.P. Sabharathnam): The following is excerpted from Dr. S. P. Sabharathnam’s translation of the Kamika Agama’s Uttara Pada, chapter 24.
The eminent acharya should perform the jnana diksha for competent disciples through the perfect instruction on the essence-of-knowledge section of the Agamas. He should do this in the auspicious bright side of a lunar month, on an auspicious day and nakshatra and in an auspicious duration (muhurta), giving attention to all exacting rituals. Especially, he should perform this jnana diksha during the last phase of midnight. This jnana diksha should be done in a solitary place, a place not frequented by the people. 1-2
A Siva temple, the residence of the guru, a sakthi pitha, monastery, house, a sacred place frequented by saints—these are suitable locations for the performance of jnana diksha. The acharya may select any one of such auspicious places. The disciple, born in the lineage related to five gocaras (regions), should stay in his guru’s residence, contemplating the attainment of the essence-of-knowledge section of the Agamas. He may sit on a seat designed with darbha grass or tiger skin or on a seat made of wood based on the vastu mandala consisting of a 36-square grid. 3-4
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