Questions tagged [vaishnavism]
Vaishnavism is one of the branches of Hinduism with followers worshiping lord Vishnu as the greatest or supreme god
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What is the position of Lord Vishnu in the different 'Vaishnava' sects?
According to the dictionary meaning, a 'Vaishnava' is necessarily a 'Worshipper of Vishnu'.
वैष्णव a. (-वी f.) [विष्णुर्देवतास्य तस्येदं वा अण्] 1 Relating to Viṣṇu; गां गतस्य तव धाम वैष्णवम् R.11....
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Is it possible for someone to perform prapatti or sharanAgati for those who have died?
Inspired by a recent comment, I decided to ask this question:
First, prapatti or sharanAgati with srImannArAyaNA attains to Moksha – It is considered the most highly effective methodology towards ...
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1answer
77 views
What scripture says “the Pranava is the highest letter”?
The Pradhana Satakam is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan describing 100 important things. In verse 7 of the Pradhana Satakam, Vedanta Desikan says that the Pranava is the most ...
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79 views
Forms of Paramatma in Sri Vaishnavism
In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, the distinction is made between Kāraṇodakaśāyī Viṣnu (Mahaviṣnu), Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu and Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣnu on a cosmological level as the Paramātmā for the metacosm, the ...
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Why did Nityananda Mahaprabhu regularly worship Sri-Yantra?
Nityananda Mahaprabhu regaularly worshipped a Sri-Yantra along with a Vaneswar Shiva Linga and an Ananta Shalagrama. These are still worshipped by His heirs at Khardaha, West Bengal.
According to ...
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136 views
How did the Dvaitavadi Vaishnavas explain the brahma sutra that says Pancharatra is wrong?
According to the Brahma-Sutra 2/2/42, the PAncharAtra/BhAgavata doctrines are not acceptable.
How did the Dvaitavadi (Non-Advaitavadi) Vaishnava Acharyas who followed the Pancharatra/Bhagavata ...
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Where does Vedanta Desikan lament not being a priest in the Varadaraja Perumal temple?
The Sri Vaishnava sect has two sub-sects, Thenkalai and Vadakalai. Vadakalais follow the teachings of Vedanta Desikan, whereas Thenkalais follow the teachings of Pillai Lokacharya. My question is ...
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138 views
Why is Nrisimha not a fierce form of God?
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1/2/26 says:
Those who want salvation reject the fierce forms like Bhutapati without having any hatred against them and worship the gentle forms of Narayana.
But Sri Nrisimha is ...
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Who is the god Latavya worshiped by Madhwas?
Madhvacharya’s philosophy or Dvaita divides Jivatmas or individual souls into three categories: Mukti Yogyas or those destined to attain Moksha, Nitya Samsaris or those destined to remain in Samsara ...
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How does the Vaishnava commentators interpret 'NAda-Upasana' prescribed in Srimad-Bhagavatam?
Srimad-Bhagavatam is treated as a scripture praising Lord Hari and showing the path of Devotion.
The 12th Canto (Chapter 6, Slokas 37-38) advise the anAhata-nAda upasana as a way of reaching the ...
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Which Sri Vaishnava Acharya called Nammalwar Dirgha Chintayanti?
By far the most famous commentary on Nammalwar's Thiruvaimozhi is the Eedu, aka the 36000 Padi, which was composed by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai, father of Pillai Lokacharya. ...
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112 views
What scriptures describe these four types of living beings?
The Paratvadi Panchakam is a five-verse poem by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Nadadur Ammal In praise of the five types of manifestations of Vishnu described in the Pancharatra Agamas: Para, Vyuha, ...
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What is the earliest reference to the “yo vapyetam” verse of the Katha Upanishad?
The first chapter of the Katha Upanishad, in the recensions commented on by Adi Shankaracharya and Madhvacharya, has 29 verses. But the recension of the Katha Upanishad commented on by the Sri ...
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Was Krishnadeva Raya initiated into Vaishnavism?
Krishnadeva Raya was the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara empire. Wikipedia says that he was initiated into Vaishnavism.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishnadevaraya
Krishna Deva Raya was ...
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What work on Sharanagati did Thirukannamangai Andan compose?
The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their poetry in praise of Vishnu. The 4000 verses of the Alwars were compiled by ...
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63 views
Which Vaishnava theories are based on Gopâlatâpini Upanishad?
Swami Vivekananda makes a remark in one of his lectures that many Vaishnava theories have come from Gopala Tapini Upanishad.
Complete Works / Volume 3 / Lectures from Colombo to Almora / The Religion ...
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50 views
Which Mleccha race do Thenkalais think Thirumangai Alwar was descended from?
The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their devotional poetry in praise of Vishnu. It is the beliefs and principles ...
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How does Vedanta Desikan interpret Ramanujacharya’s statement about Brihaspati’s brother Samvarta?
The Satadhusani is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan consisting of 100 refutations of Adi Shankaracharya's philosophy of Advaita. One chapter of the work is devoted to refuting the ...
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Is worship of Lord Hanuman associated with Vaishnavism or Shaivism?
Lord Hanuman, as we know is an ardent devotee of Lord Rama (Lord Vishnu's incarnation). But at the same time He is said to be Lord Shiva's incarnation. So is Hanuman worship more associated with ...
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What are the 18 bhavas in which Sri Ramakrishna was siddha?
According to Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna was siddha in 18 bhavas.Can anybody mention what are these 18 bhavas according to our scriptures?
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To whom we contact to do Samashrayanam? [duplicate]
We are Yadhavas in Chennai and like to do Samashrayanam but we don't know to whom can we go , Thenkalai OR Vadakalai, To Sri Vaishnava Acharya or Swayamacharya people. We need guru to teach ...
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Which Vaishnavite sects have the concept of “Nitya Suri”?
I know that SriVaishnavites have this concept. What exactly does it mean and do other Vaishnavite sects have it?
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202 views
When did Vaishnavites start wearing Urdhva Pundram?
Did Ramanuja introduce the Namam? What did Vaishnavites wear before that?
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50 views
Do the founders of various Vaishnavite sects describe reaching transcendent states of being after which they became teachers?
For example, the Buddha's description of his enlightenment:
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2013/mar/14/nirvana-in-buddhas-words-458528.html
Let us try to understand the content ...
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What scriptures describe Mahabali stealing Vishnu’s crown and Garuda giving it to Krishna?
The Sri Vaishnava sect has two sub-sects, Thenkalai and Vadakalai. Vadakalais follow the teachings of Vedanta Desikan, whereas Thenkalais follow the teachings of Pillai Lokacharya. My question is ...
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46 views
Which world is converted into vast ocean by Vishnu?
This chapter of Vishnu Purana describes what Vishnu does at the end of Kalpa:
Vishńu with the quality of goodness, and of immeasurable power, preserves created things through successive ages, until ...
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203 views
How can Vishnu sleep on Adi Sesha when Adi Sesha does not exist?
Vishnu tells Narada in the Narayaniya portion of the Shanti Parva in Mahabharata:
Assuming a form that is manifest, I dwell, at present, in the heavens. At the end of a thousand Yugas I shall once ...
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66 views
Why does Vishnu sleep for 1000 years?
In Drona Parva of Mahabharata, Krishna tells Arjuna about his four forms:
I have four forms, eternally engaged as I am in protecting the worlds. Dividing my own Self, I ordain the good of the ...
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What scriptures describe making statues of Muktas?
The Satadhusani is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan consisting of 100 refutations of Adi Shankaracharya's philosophy of Advaita. One chapter of the work is devoted to refuting the ...
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3answers
201 views
Who is the companion of Lord Vishnu?
In Narayaniya portion of the Shanti Parva in Mahabharata, Sri Hari tells Narada:
Assuming a form that is manifest, I dwell, at present, in the heavens. At the end of a thousand Yugas I shall once ...
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What are the differences between Dvaitadvaita of Sri Nimbarkacharya and Achintya Bheda Abheda of Sri Chaitanya?
What are the philosphical differences between Gaudiya Sampradaya and Nimbarka Sampradaya? I know they both worship Radha-Krishna (unlike Pushtimarg where they worship Krishna as ShriNathji). What are ...
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Is the argument that “Narayana” can only denote Vishnu correct?
Among Vaishnavite sects - only Sri Vaishnavites claim this, as far as I know. The argument is that while Sanskrit doesn't usually have proper nouns a Paninean rule makes "Narayana" an exception.
But ...
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How do Shaivas and Shaktas interpret the Vishnu Gayatri mantra?
How do Shaivas and Shaktas interpret the Vishnu Gayatri mantra, which is from the Narayana Suktam of the Yajur Veda:
"Narayanaya vidmahe vasudevaya dhimahi | tanno Vishnuh prachodayat"
which ...
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1answer
69 views
What exactly is shuddha sattva according to vaishnavism?
Is there a shuddha rajas and shuddha tamas also? Please explain.
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28 views
Can Vaishnavas worship other Gods(anya devata)? [duplicate]
Generally Vaishnavas don't worship Gods other Sri Vishnu and His incarnations(Swaminarayan Sampradaya being a notable exception).Is there any mention in scriptures if the worship of anya devata is ...
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1answer
55 views
Which denomination do majority of contemporary Hindus adhere to?
I know more Vaishanvas and Shaivas exist in South India and Shaktas are more prominent in the east,But in North what are the major denominations of Hindus?
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Which book do Vaishnavas give more importance of the two Vishnu Purana and Srimad Bhagavatam and why?
Vishnu Purana and Srimad Bhagavatam are two important Vaishnava puranas. Of the two, which is given more importance in Sri, Madhva, Pushti & Gaudiya Vaishnavism? why if any reason?
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What scriptures describing holding breath for hours before chanting the Sahasrakshi Mantra?
The Sri Vaishnava sect is divided into two sub-sexts, Thenkalais and Vadakalais. One of the issues they disagree on is whether the chanting of the Pranavam in the Ashtakshari Mantra requires ...
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2answers
77 views
Do non-advaitic vaishnavite sects have the concept of Samadhi?
In Advaita, among the highest states of oneness with Brahman is "Nirvikalpa Samadhi". Do non-Advaitic Vaishnavite sects talk of Samadhi or anything similar?
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Why does the Srimad-Bhagavatam say that mumkshus reject worsipping of the fierce forms of God?
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1/2/26 says:
mumukṣavo ghora-rūpān
hitvā bhūta-patīn atha nārāyaṇa-kalāḥ śāntā
bhajanti hy anasūyavaḥ
English Translation: Those who want salvation reject the fierce ...
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0answers
91 views
Was Nathamuni originally an Ekadandi Sanyasi?
The Satadhusani is a work by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan consisting of 100 refutations of Adi Shankaracharya's philosophy of Advaita. One chapter of the work is devoted to refuting ...
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0answers
28 views
What is the scriptural basis for eternal hell as Madhvas believes?
Madhva doctrine believes in eternal hellish life for some souls. If I am not wrong, they believe in creation and destruction of this worlds. Then, What exactly is 'eternal' here? What is scriptural ...
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What's the difference between nirguna brahman of Advaitins and impersonal brahman of Gaudiyas?
Gaudiyas believe in an impersonal brahman aspect of Absolute Truth.
BG 14. 27
brahmaṇo hi pratiṣṭhāham
I am the basis of the impersonal Brahman
Hari Vamsa, Visnu Parva 114:
tat ...
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What is the position of different Vaishnavite sects regarding the Advaitic definition of Nirguna Brahman?
As I understand it, to them the absolute is a person - Vishnu/Narayana, Rama and Krishna being the most prominent.
What is their stand on the Nirguna Brahman of Advaitists?
I am not interested in ...
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70 views
Why do some Vaishnavas not consider Radha as Sati or the Mother of the world & mention Her only as the Hladini shakti?
The well-known pranama mantra of Sri Radha reads
नवीनां हेमगौरांगीं पूर्णानन्दवतीं सतीम्। वृषभानुसुतां देवीं वन्दे राधां जगत्प्रसूम्॥
Meaning: I bow down to Goddess Radha, who is young, ...
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What is meant by Lord Vishnu as protector?
I would like a more detailed meaning of this. Whom does he protect? From what does he protect?
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60 views
Did Ramanujacharya perform Sharanagati in Madhurantakam?
The Gadya Trayam is a set of three prose hymns composed by the famous Sri Vaishnava Acharya Ramanujacharya on the subject of Sharanagati or complete surrender to Vishnu as a means of attaining Moksha. ...
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86 views
Does Pillai Lokacharya’s commentary on the Gadya Trayam still exist?
The Sri Vaishnava sect has two sub-sects, Thenkalai and Vadakalai. Vadakalais follow the teachings of Vedanta Desikan, whereas Thenkalais follow the teachings of Pillai Lokacharya. My question is ...
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2answers
160 views
How do non-advaitins interpret these passages of bhagavatam?
Here are advaitic verses which I found from bhagavatam
SB 12.13.12 sarva-vedānta-sāraṁ yad brahmātmaikatva-lakṣaṇam vastv
advitīyaṁ tan-niṣṭhaṁ kaivalyaika-prayojanam
12.5.11-12 ahaṁ ...
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92 views
What is the Ekayana sect criticized by Pillai Lokacharya's father?
By far the most famous commentary on Nammalwar's Thiruvaimozhi is the Eedu, aka the 36000 Padi, which was composed by the Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai, father of Pillai Lokacharya. ...
