Diksha (
Sanskrit: दीक्षा in
Devanagari, ,
Tamil: தீட்சை) also spelled
deeksha or
deeksa in common usage, translated as a "preparation or consecration for a religious ceremony", is giving of a mantra or an initiation by the guru in
Indian religions such as
Hinduism,
Buddhism, and
Jainism. Diksa is given in a one-to-one ceremony, and typically includes the taking on of a serious spiritual discipline. The word is derived from the Sanskrit root
dā ("to give") plus
kṣi ("to destroy") or alternately from the verb root
dīkṣ ("to consecrate"). When the mind of the guru and the disciple become one, then we say that the disciple has been initiated by the guru. Diksa can be of various types, through the teacher's sight, touch, or word, with the purpose of purifying the disciple or student. Initiation by touch is called
sparśa dīkṣā. The bestowing of divine grace through diksa is sometimes called
śaktipāt.