VAISHNAVA GITA

The significance of the divine song, the Bhagavad Gita, in the Vaishnava sampradaaya is of paramount importance. It expounds the three pathways of life - the respective pursuits of devotion, knowledge, and ethics - each of which is a means to attain spiritual liberation. The Vaishnava way of life is such that it is more than a divine order - it is divinity itself. The Bhagavada Gita is closely linked to the vast repository of Vaishnava traditions.

Q1. What is the sacred book of Vaishnav?

Fundamentally, the Vedas are followed. Mahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavad-Gita, Bhagavat Purana, Vishnu Purana, Hymns of the Alvars (Tamil poet-mystics), and Vedanta Sutras are the main writings followed by Vaishnavas. The Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Agamas are the scriptural sources of Vaishnavism, while the Bhagavata Purana is a revered and celebrated popular text, parts of which some believers include as a scripture.

Q2. What are the key beliefs of Vaishnavism?

For Vaishnavas, absolute reality (Brahman) is manifested in Vishnu, who in turn is incarnated in Rama, Krishna, and other avatars. Through his avatars, Vishnu defends traditional righteousness in keeping with the moral law (dharma). The most popular of the avatars are Rama and Krishna. Vaishnavas teach that by chanting God's names the soul can reawaken his original spiritual knowledge, live peacefully in this life and return to the spiritual realm, or Vaikuntha, the place of no anxiety, at the time of death.

Q3. Who popularized Vaishnavism?

From the twelfth century onwards a bhakti renaissance swept across India, bringing waves of devotional Vaishnav sentiment. Centers of devotion were rediscovered and revived in places such as Ayodhya and Vrindavana. The bhakti traditions broke through caste barriers and attracted millions of followers. Among the many bhakti saints are a number of notable women such as Andal and Mirabai. Even in the present day, Vaishnavas remain the largest Hindu community, both within India and the UK. The Swami Narayana Mission popularised the belief in the West.

Q4. What are the 4 Vaishnava Sampradayas?

The four bona fide Vaishnav Sampradayas on the science of Bhakti are Rudra Sampradaya, Brahma Sampradaya, Sri Sampradaya, and Kumar Sampradaya. The transcendental knowledge of the Absolute Truth, Lord Vishnu, is received through the chain of disciplic succession. This knowledge is coming from Lord Shiva (Rudra Sampradaya), Lord Brahma (Brahma Sampradaya), Goddess Lakshmi (Sri Sampradaya), and the four sons of Lord Brahma (Kumar Sampradaya), who are considered the spiritual masters. Although different divisions, all these Sampradayas teach us how to build a loving relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu or Krishna.

Q5. Who is the God of Vaishnavas?

The Vaishnav philosophy is considered the highest that talks about the purest form of bhakti. The word “Vaishnav'' refers to a person who is a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Thus, Vaishnavas worship the Lord and engage in His loving devotional service. According to the Vedic scriptures such as Srimad Bhagavatam, Padma Purana, Rig Veda, etc. Vishnu is the cause of all causes and to achieve the shelter of His lotus feet is the ultimate goal of all living entities.