Vaishnavism Totally Explained

Everything about Vaishnavism totally explained

Vaishnavism is one of the traditions of Hinduism, and is distinguished from other schools by its primary worship of one supreme God known in different perspectives under names of Narayana, Krishna, Vasudeva or more often Vishnu and their associated avatars. It is principally monotheistic in its philosophy, but not exclusive. Its beliefs and practices, especially the concepts of Bhakti and Bhakti Yoga, are based largely on Upanishads associated with the Vedas and Puranic texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, and the Padma, Vishnu and Bhagavata Puranas.
The followers of Vaishnavism are referred to as Vaishnava(s) or Vaishnavites. According to recent statistics, a majority of Hindus are Vaishnavas, with the vast majority living in India. However, awareness, recognition, and growth of the belief has significantly increased outside of India in recent years. The Gaudiya Vaishnava branch of the tradition has significantly increased the awareness of Vaishnavism internationally, since the mid-1900's, largely through the activities and geographical expansion of the Hare Krishna movement known as ISKCON.

Etymology

The term Vaishnavism, entered the English language in the 19th century, and was formed by attaching the suffix -ism to Sanskrit Vaishnava (IAST: ), which is the vriddhi form of Vishnu meaning "relating, belonging, or sacred to Vishnu" or "a worshipper or follower of Vishnu".

Principal beliefs

Vishnu: The Supreme

The principal belief of Vaishnavism is the identification of Vishnu or Narayana as the one Supreme God. While the Gaudiya Vaishnavas, Krishna is considered to be the Supreme God and the source of all avataras. This identification is inherited by the many avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu listed in the Puranic texts, but not by other Hindu deities such as Ganesh, Surya or Durga. The latter are instead classified as demi-gods or devas. Vaishnavites consider Shiva, one of the Hindu Trimurti (Trinity) as subservient to Vishnu, A few Vaishnava schools also identify the God of the Abrahamic religions with Vishnu. Another distinguishing feature of the Vaishnava teachings, is that God (Krishna and/or Vishnu) "is a real person and His variegated creation is also real".

Worship

Vaishnava theology includes the central beliefs of Hinduism such as reincarnation, samsara, karma, and the various Yoga systems, but with a particular emphasis on devotion (bhakti) to Vishnu through the process of Bhakti yoga, often including singing Vishnu's name's (bhajan), meditating upon his form (dharana) and performing deity worship (puja). The practices of deity worship are primarily based on texts such as Pañcaratra and various Samhitas.
Within their worship Vaishnava devotees consider that Vishnu is within them, as the Antaryami or the God within and as the foundation of their being; which is a part of the definition of the name Narayana. Unlike other schools of Hinduism whose goal is liberation (moksha), or union with the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate goal of Vaishnava practice is an eternal life of bliss (ananda) in service to Vishnu, or one of his many avatars, in the spiritual realm of 'Vaikuntha', which lies beyond the temporary world of illusion (maya). The three features of the Supreme as described in the Bhagavata Purana--Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan--are viewed as the Universal Vishnu, Vishnu within the heart, and Vishnu the personality respectively.

Initiation

Vaishnavas commonly follow a process of initiation (diksha), given by a guru, under whom they're trained in order to understand Vaishnava practices. At the time of initiation the disciple is traditionally given a specific mantra, which that'll then repeat, either out loud or within the mind, as an act of worship to Vishnu or one of his avatars. The practice of repetitive prayer is known as japa. The system of receiving initiation and training from a spiritual master is based on injunctions throughout scriptures held as sacred within the Vaishnava traditions:
ť "Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they've seen the truth."(Bhagavad Gita)

ť "One who is initiated into the Vaishnava mantra and who is devoted to worshiping Lord Vishnu is a Vaishnava. One who is devoid of these practices isn't a Vaishnava."(Padma Purana)

However, scriptures specific only within the Gaudiya Vaishnava group also state that one who even performs an act of worship so simple as chanting the name of Vishnu or Krishna can be considered a Vaishnava by practice:
ť "Who chants the holy name of Krishna just once may be considered a Vaishnava. Such a person is worshipable and is the topmost human being."(Chaitanya Charitamrita)

Attitude to scriptures

Vaishnava traditions refer to the writings of previous acharyas in their respective lineage or sampradya (see below) as authoritative interpretations of scripture. each exemplified by a specific Vedic personality. The four sampradayas follow subtly different philosophical systems regarding the relationship between the soul (jiva) and God (Vishnu or Krsna), although the majority of other core beliefs are identical.

Lakshmi-sampradaya ť Philosophy: Vishishtadvaita ("qualified nondualism"), espoused by Ramanujacharya

See Sri Vaishnavism.

Brahma sampradaya ť Philosophies: Dvaita ("dualism"), espoused by Madhvacharya, and Achintya Bheda Abheda ("inconceivable oneness and difference"), espoused by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (see Gaudiya Vaishnavism).

Rudra sampradaya ť Philosophy: Shuddhadvaita ("pure nondualism"), espoused by Vishnuswami and Vallabhacharya.

Kumara-sampradaya ť Philosophy: Dvaitadvaita ("duality in unity"), espoused by Nimbarka. (See Nimbarka Sampradaya).

Other Branches and sects

The Ramanandi movement, begun by Ramananda.
Mahapuruxiya Dharma, espoused by Sankardeva.
Vaisnava-Sahajiya, a tantric school

Tilak styles
Vaishnavas, mark their foreheads with tilaka either as a daily ritual, or on special occasions. The different Vaishnava sampradayas each have their own distinctive style of tilak which depict the siddhanta of their particular lineage. The general tilak pattern is of two or more connected vertical lines resembling the letter U, which usually represents the foot of Vishnu.
History of Vaishnavism
The monotheistic worship of Vishnu was already well developed in the period of the Itihasas. Vaishnavism is particularly expounded in a part of the Mahabharata known as the Bhagavad Gita, which contains the words of Krishna, svayam bhagavan or one the avataras of Vishnu.
   Many of the ancient kings, onwards from Chandragupta II, Vikramaditya were known as Parama Bhagavatas, or Bhagavata Vaishnavas.
   Vaishnavism flourished in South India during the seventh to tenth centuries CE, and is still commonplace, especially in Tamil Nadu, as a result of the twelve Alvars, saints who spread the sect to the common people with their devotional hymns. The temples which the Alvars visited or founded are now known as Divya Desams. Their poems in praise of Vishnu and Krishna in Tamil language are collectively known as Naalayira (Divya Prabandha).
   In later years Vaishnava practices increased in popularity due to the influence of sages like Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, Manavala Mamunigal,Vedanta Desika,Surdas, Tulsidas, Tyagaraja, and many others.
   Large Vaishnava communities now exist throughout India, and particularly in Western Indian states, such as Rajasthan and Gujarat. Important sites of pilgrimage for Vaishnavs include: Guruvayur_Temple, Sri Rangam, Vrindavan, Mathura, Ayodhya, Tirupati, Puri, Mayapur and Dwarka.
   Since the 1900s Vaishnavism has spread from within India and is now practiced in many places around the globe, including America, Europe, Africa, Russia and South America. This is largely due to the growth of the ISKCON movement. The driving force behind the change was the movement's founder, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Puranic Epics
Two great Indian epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, are an important part of Vaishnava philosophy, theology, and culture.
   The Ramayana describes the story of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, and is taken as a history of the 'ideal king', based on the principles of dharma, morality and ethics. Rama's wife Sita, his brother Lakshman and servant Hanuman all play key roles within the Vaishnava tradition as examples of Vaishnava etiquette and behaviour. Ravana, the evil king and villain of the epic, plays the opposite role of how not to behave.
   The Mahabharata is centered around Krishna, another avatar of Vishnu, and details the story of a dynastic war between two families of cousins, with Krishna and the Pandavas, five brothers, playing pivotal roles in the drama. The philosophical highlight of the work is the chapter covering a conversation between Arjuna and Krishna prior to the final battle, individually known as the Bhagavad Gita. The Bhagavad Gita, though influential in most philosophies of Hinduism, is of particular importance to Vaishnavas because it's believed to be an accurate record of the very words spoken by Krishna himself. Depending on the Sampradaya or Vaishnava group one follows, Krishna is regarded either as a full avatar of Vishnu, non-different from him, or as the source of all avatars including Vishnu himself, a notion held only within the Gaudiya and Nimbarka branches of Vaishnavism.
   Both works are often reenacted in part as dramas by followers of Vaishnavism, especially on festival days concerning each of the specific avatars. The Bhagavad Gita is widely studied as a theological textbook.
Western Academic study
Vaishnava theology has been a subject of study for many devotees, philosophers and scholars within India for centuries. In recent decades this study has also been taken on by a number of academic institutions in Europe, such as the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and Bhaktivedanta College. The Vaishnava scholars instrumental in this western discourse include Tamala Krishna Goswami, Hridayananda dasa Goswami, Graham Schweig, Kenneth R. Valpey, Guy Beck and Steven J. Rosen among others.
   In 1992 Steven Rosen founded The Journal of Vaishnava Studies as an academic journal of Hindu studies, and of Vaishnava, and Gaudiya Vaishnava studies in particular.

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