Vaishnava

Vaishnavism is the largest branch of Hinduism. Its practices and traditions are diverse and differ from other branches of Hinduism. The central element is bhakti, loving devotion to God – and thus prapatti, meaning dependence on Narayana, who will ultimately redeem us through his grace.

The theology of Vishnuism states that Vishnu (identical with Narayana) or one of his incarnations represents the absolute being. The goal of Vishnuism is to establish and nurture a personal loving relationship with God, who in return bestows his grace upon us. Bhakti – loving devotion to God, as also lived and practiced in Christianity – is the fundamental practice of all branches of Vishnuism.  

 Vedanta forms the theological foundation behind the path of devotion and describes the relationship between God (Brahman), us humans (Atma) and material nature (Prakriti). The fundamental works of the Sri Vaishnavas are the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gita and the Shreemad Bhagavatam, which is considered a collection of stories about the Bhaktas (those who love God).

The beginnings of Vedanta date back to Adi Shankaracharya (788–820 CE), for whom Brahman was an impersonal being and therefore love for him was also an illusion. Just under 200 years later, the Sri Vaishnava order was founded by Sri Ramanuja Acharya (Acharya = teacher) (1017 AD). His religious interpretation of the sacred scriptures emphasizes the relationship between Ishvara (God), his beings (jivas) and creation (prakriti).

The most important Vaishnava scriptures are:

-          The Vedas

-          The Upanishads

-          The Mahabharate

-          The Bhagavad Gita

-          The Ramayana

-          The 6 Vaishnava Maha Puranas (including Shreemad Bhagavatam)

-          The Pancharatra Agama

Why is bhakti practiced by the Vaishnavas? Because Krishna's call in the Bhagavad Gita names it as the highest form of seeking God:  

“Focus your mind on me, be devoted to me, worship me, bow down to me, and you will come to me alone. I promise you this because you are dear to me!” BG 18.65

 All Hindu Vishnuite traditions follow this call. For Bhagavan Krishna explains in BG 6.47 that loving devotion to God (bhakti) is the highest form of worship of God with the verse:

 “Of all yogis (God-seekers), I consider the one who has surrendered to me with his whole innermost self in love and devotion to be the highest and most united with me.”

 The path of love and devotion to God is further elaborated and clarified in the Shreemad Bhagavatam, the heart of the Puranas, where Prahlad Maharaj names the nine forms of Bhakti (Navadha Bhakti):

"Hearing and chanting the holy name, praising His glory, remembering God Vishnu, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, worshiping Vishnu's form, offering prayers and rituals to Him, becoming Vishnu's servant, considering Him one's best friend, and surrendering everything to Him—these nine activities should be recognized as the highest forms of worship, because the one who performs them is called wise and comprehensive in his knowledge. " Shreemad Bhagavatam 7.5.23-24

Just as Christians try to adhere to the Ten Commandments, we Hindus try to follow the guidance given by Bhagavan Krishna in Bhagavad Gita 16.1-3:

 "These are the sacred virtues of those endowed with a divine nature: fearlessness, purity of mind, steadfastness in spiritual knowledge, charity, control of the senses, performance of sacrifices, study of the scriptures, frugality, and straightforwardness. Nonviolence, truthfulness, freedom from anger, renunciation, peacefulness, restraint in faultfinding, compassion toward all living beings, lack of greed, ingenuity, modesty, and lack of fickleness; strength, cheerfulness, steadfastness, cleanliness, no hostility, and no vanity."

Ramanuja made 17 great pilgrimages to obtain the sacred prayer and mantra “Om Namo Narayanaya.” Each time, however, the saint (guru) rejected him and told him that he was not worthy of the prayer.

 Finally, after his 18th pilgrimage, the saint agreed and gave him the sacred name—on the condition that he share it with no one else and never sing or utter it aloud. He agreed. Now, however, that he was in possession of the sacred verse and realized that the power of the divine name could free souls from the cycle of life and death, he climbed onto the roof of the temple and called all the people together. When everyone had gathered, he chanted the sacred prayer (mantra) three times loudly from the battlements with all his might, thereby sharing it with everyone.

 His teacher (guru) was furious and wanted to condemn him to hell. But when Ramanuja replied that his damnation in hell was a small price to pay if it meant that everyone would attain liberation, the teacher realized his mistake and asked for forgiveness.

SALUTATIONS TO THE OMNIPRESENT LORD, THE PROTECTOR AND FRIEND OF ALL

On 8 April 2020, Paramahamsa Vishwananda had a divine vision of Lord Vitthala, the Lord of loving devotion.

In that moment, the Lord gave him a mantra: "Sri Vitthala Giridhari Parabrahmane Namah."

This isn't a mantra from any book or scripture, it's a gift from the Divine, for you.

The mantra is composed of Divine Names, each of them holding very high and nurturing vibrations that have the ability to change our lives and, through our common efforts, change the world as a result.

It calms the over-activity of your mind and infuses your whole being with the divine vibration.

Listen to the mantra with the Master's voice, Paramahamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda.

How to chant

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, chant the mantra. While meditating, driving, cooking or showering, keep chanting inwardly or out loud.

It is that simple!

'The more you chant, the more the power of the mind will decrease, the more you will be in Divine bliss, and the more your heart will open up to Divine Love.'

Paramahamsa Vishwananda