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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Is Narayana understood in Shri Vaishnavism as an anthropomorphic being or are his descriptions as a human-like being understood symbolically?
I'm interested in the answer to this question from the perspective of Shri Vaishnavism, though I would be interested in the position of other Vaishnava schools (other than ISKCON/GV, which I am ...
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From where can I get Mrtyunjaya Tantra / Mrtyu-Sanjaya Tantra book?
Pranam! I am looking for above mentioned book named as Mrtyunjaya Tantra which is mentioned by Srila Jiva Goswami in his Krishna Sandarba and also mentioned by many scholars somewhere. It is one of ...
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Etymology of word and Phrase [closed]
I'd like to understand the origin and Etymology of certain words and phrases mentioned as I could find any authentic answers anywhere.
Pillaiyar - One of the names of Lord Ganesha
Relation: Or-pidi (...
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Is Velukkudi Krishnan from a Swayamacharya lineage?
As I discuss in this question, the Sri Vaishnava sect (of which I'm a member) is divided into two sub-sects, Thenkalai and Vadakalai. Both Thenkalais and Vadakalais have Mathams, similar to the ...
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Who is Vijayavalli, wife of the Sudarshana Chakra?
I just performed a Griha Pravesam, the Hindu house warming ceremony, and I noticed an interesting Mantra that the priest chanted. The Mantra, which I assume was from the Pancharatra Agamas, was ...
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Prayaschitta for plucking tulasi leaves on Dwadasi
I have a question what is the 'prayaschitta', if unknowingly one plucks tulasi leaves on the Dwadasi day ?
Also does the rule regarding the prohibition on plucking tulasi leaves on Dwadasi Tithis ...
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How does the Ramanandi sect originate from the Sri Vaishnava Parampara?
As I discuss in this question, Vishnu is said to have taught the principles of Vaishnavism to four gods: Lakshmi, Brahma, Shiva and Sanatkumara. And they in turn started the four main Sampradayas or ...
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Are there any older commentaries on Narada Bhakti Sutras?
I want to study Narada Bhakti Sutra.Are there any old and popular commentaries on the Narada Bhakti Sutra?
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Why do Gaudiya Vaishnavas think the order of the Yugas is Satya, Dwapara, Treta, Kali?
Throughout Hindu scripture, the order of the Yugas is given as Satya, Treta, Dwapara, Kali. (See my answer here for more information on Hindu timescales.). Yet in his ISKCON commentary on the Srimad ...
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What does Lord Shiva mean when he says there are 5 gurus in Vaishnava tradition?
In Kularnava Tantra. Chapter 13, Lord Shiva talks about guru and his characteristics. He says following verse :
śaive gurutrayaṃ proktaṃ vaiṣṇave guru pañcakaṃ
vedaśāstreṣu sataso gururekaṃ ...
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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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Why God Imprisoned us here?
I understand from vedic scriptures that God created the souls and gave free will in the spiritual world, but the souls denied God's love and become materialistic. So Inorder to teach the souls a ...
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Are there any philosophies other than Dvaita that have the concept of Nitya Samsari?
I have heard that the Dvaita school of Madhvacharya has the concept of 'Nitya - Samsarins'; which means that as per them a particular class of souls would perpetually be bound in the cycle of rebirth.
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What did Ramanujacharya think of the caste system?
My question is more specifically pertaining to Bhakti. In the sense of can Chandalas perform Bhakti or Shudras etc.
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Are there any low-caste Vaikhanasa priests?
I recently learned that the priest of the Vishnu temple in my native village of Poondi is a low-caste person. The notion of a low-caste person serving in a temple didn't surprise me, since in the Sri ...
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Is Kundalini Concept alien to Vaishnavism?
The references mentioned in this answer to the Kundalini Concept are based on the Smartha concept and inclined to Shaivism. Is there any comment or reference to such a concept in the Pancharatra ...
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Does Gaudiya Vaishnava believe that Lakshmi mata left Sri Narayana bhagvan for Lord Krishna ji?
That Krishna and Vishnu are closely related but two different gods is a well known philosophy within Krishna centric sects like Gaudiya or Nimbarkas. So in them Krishna is more beautiful and important ...
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Why do Gaudiyas believe that Krishna and Gopis are eternal teenagers?
I have heard that Gaudiyas believe that Krishna is eternally 15 years old and that Lalita is eternally 14 years old.
Why do they believe this? Is this stated in scripture?
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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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Moksha According to Shiva and Vasihnav agamas
I have heard that the Vaishnava and Shaivite Agamas mention that the Jiva is different from the Param Atma and that during moksha, the Jivas main their individual personality. Can anyone provide these ...
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Does the first verse of Nammalwar's Thiruvaimozhi intentionally spell out AUM?
The Tamil TV serial "Ramanujar" is about the life story of Ramanujacharya, the most famous Acharya of the Sri Vaishnava sect (of which I'm a member). (You can watch past episodes here; it's ...
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Signs of Kali Yuga
Just a question.
I have heard that an onset of certain things would indicate that Kali Yuga is getting increasing worse.
Just recently, I have seen a lot of friends and family get daughters rather ...
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What is Kaisika Mahatmyam?
What is Kaisika Mahatmyam?
What does "Kaisika" mean? Does it have something to do with the Vaishnavite devotee Nampaduvan who was afflicted by a Brahma Rakshasa?
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Do Vaishnavites accept the ancient origin of the Harihara or Sankaranarayana concept?
In this excellent answer
Harihara literature
Swiftpushkar traces the concept to ancient scriptures.
However, in
If some of the early Alwars used to consider Venkateswara as Shiva and Vishnu both then ...
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Do only Gaudiyas use the term "expansion" and how does it relate to Vyuhas and Avataras?
https://bekrsnaconscious.blogspot.com/2018/10/lord-krishnas-expansions-and.html
Is there a single comprehensive doctrine regarding all the manifestations of the supreme Vaishnavite personal God?
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Did Chaitanya Mahaprabhu really chant the Hare Krishna maha mantra?
Recently, I was watching a video by an authentic Vaishnava guru named Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya (who has a YouTube channel called DharmaNation). He was doing a live Q&A session and touched ...
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Was Rama a god?
Rama was born as the eldest son of Kausalya and Dasharatha and become the ruler of Ayodhya Kingdom. Can Rama be considered as Lord.
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Jayanthi Determination of Gurus
Yesterday (25th April 2023),was Sri Ramanujar Jayanthi (Chithirai Thiruvadhirai) and Sri Sankara Jayanthi (Vaishaka Panchami).
Why is the birth of one Guru based on Star and the other Guru based on ...
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What is the meaning of Vishwaroopa Sevai in Vishnu Temples?
What is the meaning of Vishwaroopa Sevai in Vishnu Temples?
Can someone tell me what is the meaning of this sevai?
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Moolavar and Utsavar
It seems that in every temple (predominantly Vishnu Temples, I am not that very sure about all Shiva temples, please correct me if I am wrong) there are 2 presiding deities, namely, Moolavar and ...
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What are the important Vaikhānasa texts?
Vaiṣṇavas usually use Pāñcarātra āgamas. However, there is also another South Indian Vaiṣṇava tradition, that worships according to Vaikhānasa āgamas. What are the principal Vaikhānasa āgamas? If ...
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What exactly are Pancharatra texts?
One of the early movements that was important to the development of Vaishnavism was the ancient Pancharatra movement, whose sacred texts or Agamas consisted of detailed procedures to worship the sage ...
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What are the differences between Gaudiya Vaishnavism and the Gaudiya Math lineage?
Whenever one writes about Gaudiya Vaishnavism, it is usually only in relation to the Gaudiya Math, founded by Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. Gaudiya Math is based on Bhaktivinoda Thakur's interpretations ...
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Vaali and Sugriva
I just want to know whether, when Vaali returned back to the Kingdom while Sugriva was made the King, did Sugriva apologize?
Some lectures say Sugriva apologized while some say, he apologized but ...
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Difference between Gopi Chandan & Vibhudhi
Can someone tell me the Differences between Gopi Chandan & Vibhudhi? Who wears which one?
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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. ...
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While eating among devotees
While eating food among devotees, what is the permission word to ask the elder, when we finish and get up before they complete eating?
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Are there tantric forms of Vishnu too?
The purpose of the following question is to have a deep understanding of the nature of Sanathana Dharma
From my basic understanding (please correct me here if I'm wrong).
The basic pillar of central ...
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Have any Ramanandi commentaries on the Brahma Sutras been translated into English?
As, I discuss in this question, Vishnu is said to have taught the principles of Vaishnavism to four gods: Lakshmi, Brahma, Shiva and Sanatkumara. And they in turn started the four main Sampradayas or ...
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Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur's Opinions
Is there any evidence that shows that Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur (founder of Gauriya Mat) was critical/not critical of Ramkrishna Paramhamsa, Omkaranath Thakur, and Prabupad Bijoy Krishna ...
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Difference between Sorgam (heaven) & Trishanku Sorgam (Heaven) - Anusham Star
I've heard from one experience that one Mahaperiyava - The Great Sage of Kanchi saying that his highness's birth Star (Anusham) is special because it is not found in Trishanku sorgam.
I just want to ...
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Who wrote the Shiva Stuti Sukta Malika, and does it still exist?
The Narayana Shabda Sadhararanyam is a work by the 16th century Advaita philosopher Govinda Nayaka which argues that the word Narayana refers to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. This work was refuted by an ...
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What Vedanta philosophy is followed in Utkaliya Vaishnava of Mahapurusha Achyutananda of Odisha?
Achyutananda (and the other four saints) believed in a concept of God (Vishnu) as Shunya (emptiness, void, zero) called Shunya Purusha and/or Shunya Brahman. This shunya signifies a transcendental ...
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What is the exact literal translation of the word "Shaligram."?
As we all know, Shaligram Shila is the symbol which represents Lord Vishnu just like a Shiva Linga represents Lord Shiva.
But, i want to know what is the literal word meaning or translation of the ...
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Why did Sri Ramanuja refuse to hail Shiva? What was the need to prove that Vishnu is the one true God?
I was reading the history of Sri Ramanuja, the Vaishnava saint. Apparently, he was in hiding in fear of a Chola King. The Chola king was a worshiper of Shiva as opposed to Ramanuja who is a Vishnu ...
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Can we do Sandhyavandanam without taking bath?
Can we do Sandhyavandanam without taking bath? Is there some restrictions before doing Sandhyavandanam?
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Sandhyavandanam and Maadhiyanikam
Many people in this current world are not able to do Trikala Sandhyavandanam.
In that case, I have heard people saying the Prata Sandhyavandanam and Maadhiyanikam can be done together.
Is it allowed ...
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Etymology of Thaligai and Samayal
In Srivaishnava Sampradaya, the cooking of food is called "Thaligai" and in Smarta Sampradaya, it is called as "Samayal".
Can someone please tell me the etymology of the two words, ...
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Why in Ramayana, Rama is referred as Raghuvamsha?
In Ramayana, there are many Kings before Lord Rama.
But yet, while referring in certain places, why only it is said as Raghu-vamsha and Ishvaku clan?
Why Raghu and Ishvaku are referred, leaving the ...
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Are there any good references about ShruthaKeerthi in Ramayana?
I'd like to know any good references about ShrutaKeerthi in Ramayana.
Also, Is it a good name to name a child as Shrutakeerthi?
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