Vaishnavism: Best lesson at International Gita Society

Vaishnavism can be considered as the essence of the Vedic culture. It is distinguished from other sects or religions by its exclusive worship of Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, including his incarnations known as avatar. It consists mainly of a monotheistic philosophy. Its beliefs and practices are centered around bhakti yoga are based largely on the Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita and Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita. Vaishnavas are connected to their spiritual master by a process of initiation, given by a guru, and where the person in most cases gets a new name. They are trained under the guru in order to understand Vaishnava practices, especially devotional service. In many Vaishnava sects, at the time of initiation the disciple is given a specific mantra that he has to chant everyday to attain perfection. This mantra can be repeated, either out loud or within the mind, as a type of mental worship to Krishna or one of His avatars. This practice of constant chanting for oneself is called japa.

Vaishnavism consists of four main disciplic successions known as sampradayas. Each of them was started by a personality who is known as the acharya. The four sampradayas scrutinizing study the relationship between the constitutional position of the soul and God. These sampradayas are

Sri, started by Laxmi Herself.

Rudra, started by Lord Siva.

Brahma, started by Lord Brahma himself.

Kumara, started by the four kumaras.

In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, there are many substantial philosophical points to understand in the proper perspective. To make progress in devotional service, devotees must refine their conception of relationship with others while remaining focused on Krishna. The order of sannyasa is a strong step in that direction. There is an external meaning and an internal meaning to the order of sannyasa. Formally, the order of sannyasa meant to renounce the material world and live in a secluded place. That is, we renounce family life and relationships with friends and responsibilities and dedicate our body, mind, words, and soul--to the service of the Lord.

Sannyasa means using one's capabilities for the benefit of human society by becoming a missionary; and pursuing one aim in life, which is to develop love for God. This aim is the realization of the soul and becoming transcendental from pain and suffering, be beyond duality and the bodily conception of life.

Lifestyle and goals

The sannyasi has no personal possessions and material attachments. Whatever he has is used in the service of the Lord. He practises meditation on God - or in other traditions, bhakti, or devotional meditation, with prayers to God and His incarnations. The goal of the Vaishnava sannsyasi is to develop love of God and going back to His kingdom. For the devotion oriented traditions, liberation consists of service to God, while for Yoga oriented traditions, liberation is the experience of the highest samadhi (enlightenment). Both are found within vaishnaism and they are classified as bhajananandi and ghoshanandi. Within the Bhagavad Gita, sannyasa is described by Krishna as follows:

"The giving up of activities that are based on material desire is what great learned men call the renounced order of life (sannyasa). And giving up the results of all activities is what the wise call renunciation (tyaga)."

Danda as spiritual attribute

Transcendentalists such as sadhus carry the danda as an austerity and represent the spiritual order of life of the person as a sannyasi. In Vaishnavism it is said that all the demigods reside in that danda and that it also represents the temple of Vishnu, God. Personalists carry a tridanda or a danda made with three rods whereas the impersonalists carry an ekadanda or a danda made of one rod.

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