Chapter Two


Taking initiation


Sri Dhanvantaraye Nama Sushruta Samhita 02


Sri Dhanvantaraye Nama Sushruta Samhita 02


The three castes Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya are eligible for taking initiation. Also, the Guru will give initiation to a disciple who has the qualities of caste, age, character, power, cleanliness, conduct, humility, strength, comprehension, patience, memory, intelligence, reciprocity, etc., and whose tongue, lips and tooth buds are not thick, whose mouth, nose and eyes are straight, whose mind is cheerful, whose speech and behavior are sweet and who is tolerant of difficulties. If there are qualities contrary to this, he will not give initiation.

The Guru will make a four-cornered, four-handed altar in a sacred and level place on auspicious day, Karana, Muhurab and Nakshatra, in the east or north, and get it inscribed with cow dung. He will spread flowers on it, eat food, drink and worship the gods, Brahmins and doctors with various gems. Then he cuts a vertical line on the altar and sprinkles water. Placing the Brahmin on the right and the fire in front, he dips the four milky tree branches of date, palash, deodar, bel, samidha or bara, udumbara, ashwatha and mehula in curd, honey and ghee and offers them in the Darvi Homa Vidhya (saying Om Bhu Swaha, Om Bhurah Swaha, Om Swae Swaha, Om Bhu Bhutha Swae Swaha). Then he offers the gods and sages the Swaha and makes offerings. He also makes disciples.

Brahmins give initiation to three-year-olds, Kshatriyas to their own people and Vaishyas, Vaishyas only to Vaishyas. Some say that noble and virtuous Shudras will be taught without offering sacrifices and mantras. Then the Guru, after circumambulating the fire three times and taking the witness, will tell the disciple, "You, abandoning lust, anger, greed, delusion, pride, arrogance, jealousy, harsh words, waste, lies, laziness and blasphemy, cut the Nakhabala and wear the Kashaya robe in a pure manner.

By wearing the true vow (Maunadi), you will be a follower of Brahmacharya and discipline. You will go and come, sleep, sit, eat and study according to my instructions. You will always be engaged in my beloved and beneficial activities. Otherwise, you will be wrong, your knowledge will not be fruitful and its development will not be possible. Even though you are correct in your duties, if I think otherwise of you, then I will also share in the sin and my knowledge will also be useless. You will consider the Brahmin, the teacher, the poor, the friend, the sannyasi, the refuge, the saint, the orphan and the far-off and treat them with your own medicines. Doing so brings good. You will not give medicine to the hunter, the corpse, the immoral and the sinner. By following this rule, knowledge will be revealed, friendship, fame, religion and wealth will be obtained and your wishes will be fulfilled.

Study days – On the eighth and fourteenth days of the black and white phases, on the new moon, on the full moon, on the morning twilight and evening twilight, on the days of untimely lightning, on the days of the state and the president's departure, in crematoriums, on vehicles (elephants, etc.), at the place of slaughter, on the battlefield, on festivals, when there is a sign of evil in the country, and on the days of Pratipada, etc., on which Brahmins do not study the Vedas, one should stop reading. While reading daily, one should read with a pure mind.