About the Book:
Many Gaudiya Vaisnava acaryas have quoted verses from the Narada-pancaratra in their own works. Verses from the Narada-pancaratra have been quoted in the Bhakti-rsamrta-sindhu (1.2.11 and 13), the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (verse 147) and thirty-one times in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa.
The principal subject matter of this literature is Sri Krsna and it contains various names, mantras, prayers and kavacas related to Sri Radha-Krsna.
Vaisnava-dharma is the oldest religion. Indeed, worship of Lord Visnu is the eternal constitutional duty of all living entities. The Vaisnava religion is elaborately described in the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Vaisnava-dharma is also propagated in the Upanisads, wherein devotional service, which is the life and soul of Vaisnava-dharma, has been described in the form of codes.
About the Author:
Sri Narada-pancaratra is an ancient Vaisnava literature that was compiled by Srila Vyasadeva. It deals with five branches of transcendental knowledge and was spoken by Lord Siva to the great sage Narada. Another name of this literature is Jnanmrtasara. The five types of knowledge described in this book are-knowledge of the Absolute Truth, knowledge of liberation, knowledge of devotional service, knowledge of mystic yoga, and knowledge in the mode of ignorance.
Sri Narada-pancaratra is an ancient Vaisnava literature that was compiled by Srila Vyasadeva. It deals with five branches of transcendental knowledge and was spoken by Lord Siva to the great sage Narada. Another name of this literature is Jnanamrtasara. The five types of knowledge described in this book are—knowledge of the Absolute Truth, knowledge of liberation, knowledge of devotional service, knowledge of mystic yoga, and knowledge in the mode of ignorance.
Many Gaudiya Vaiava acaryas have quoted verses from the Narada-pancaratra in their own works. Verses from the Narada-pancaratra have been quoted in the Bhakti-rasamtrasindhu (1.2.11 and 13), the Laghu-bhsgavatamrta (verse 147) and thirty-one times in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa. The principal subject matter of this literature is Sri Krsna and it contains various names, mantras, prayers and kavacas related to Sri Sri Radha Krsna.
Vaisnava-dharma is the oldest religion. Indeed, worship of Lord Visnu is the eternal constitutional duty of all living entities. The Vaisnava religion is elaborately described in the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Vaisnava-dharma is also propagated in the Upaniads, wherein devotional service, which is the life and soul of Vaisnava-dharma, has been described in the form of codes.
Since time immemorial, Vaisnava literature has been divided into two classes—Pancaratra and Vaikhanasa. A mention of paracaratra is found in the Sãnti-parva of the Mahabharata. There, it is stated that the main subject matter of this literature is the path of surrender, or unalloyed devotion. According to the rules and regulations that are prescribed in the Fan carãtra, surrender to the Supreme Lord is the ultimate goal of all living entities. As a result of engaging in various types of pious activities, one’s heart becomes purified so that one automatically develops the mood of surrender.
The performance of both pious and impious activities are described in the Pancaratra. As a yogi makes his mind suitable for samadhi by the practice of yama and niyama—the follower of the Pancaratra makes his heart suitable for the worship of Lord Vasudeva by the practice of regulative devotional service. That is why the pancaratra system of religion is considered to be the preliminary stage of unalloyed devotional service to the Supreme Lord. Devotional service in the mood of sänta and dasya is stressed in this literature. Pancaratra deals with the rules and regulations that are prescribed on the path of complete surrender to the Supreme Lord.
The word pancaratra has been mentioned in an ancient scripture called Satapathabrahmana, which is a part of the Vedic literature. There, it is said that Lord Narayaia Himself has appeared in five features as the Pancaratra. In another ancient literature called Abidudhnya Samhita, it is said that the Supreme Lord personally composed the Pancaratra and revealed in it His five fèatures—Para, Byuha, Vibhava, Antaryami and Arcca. According to some scholars, the five branches of knowledge contained in the Pancaratra are Saiva, Saura, Sakta, Gauapatya and Paupata. There is no doubt that the knowledge presented in the Pancaratra was greatly respected by the people of ancient India.
Sri Narada-pancaratrais divided into five rãtras, or sections, and each rãtras consists of a number of chapters. A description of the introduction and propagation of the Pancaratra system of religion is found in the Santi-parva of the Mahãbhãrata. It is stated therein that Brahma first received this knowledge from the Supreme Lord, Narayana. Then, in due course of time, Brahma taught it to the great sages known as Barhisat. Later on, this knowledge was handed down to King Abikampana and some time thereafter it was lost. Finally Brahma who was born on a lotus flower received this knowledge to Vivasvan who then handed it down to Manu. From Manu Iksvaku received this knowledge and from him it was spread throughout the universe. When the universe will be annihilated at the time of final dissolution this knowledge will be merged within the body of Lord Narayana.
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