Vaishnavism

 

.Vaishnavism is a major Hindu tradition that reveres Vishnu as the supreme deity, and his avatars like Krishna and Rama, as the highest forms of God. It is one of the largest denominations of Hinduism, with followers called Vaishnavas or Vaishnavites. Its practices are rooted in devotional worship (bhakti), which is guided by sacred texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana.  

Core beliefs and practices

Supreme God: Vaishnavas believe Vishnu, or a manifestation like Krishna, is the source of all existence, the preserver of the universe, and the ultimate reality. 

Devotion (Bhakti): A central tenet is the path of devotion (bhakti) to Vishnu and his avatars, seeking a personal and loving relationship with the divine. 

Liberation (Moksha): Devotion and surrender to Vishnu are considered the primary paths to achieving liberation from the cycle of birth and death. 

Sacred texts: The tradition is based on a collection of sacred writings, with the Vedas and Puranas being foundational texts. The Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana are particularly important. 

Incarnation: It is believed that Vishnu incarnates on Earth to restore cosmic order whenever righteousness declines. 

Dietary practices

Vaishnavas are generally vegetarian, based on the principle of ahimsa (non-violence).

Fasting is common, especially on the eleventh day after the new or full moon (Ekadashi). 

Sub-traditions and lineages

Sri Vaishnavism: A prominent sub-sect that emphasizes complete surrender (prapatti) to Vishnu through an acharya (spiritual teacher). 

Gaudiya Vaishnavism: Another sub-sect that focuses specifically on the devotion to the deity Krishna. 

Disciple succession: The teachings are transmitted through a lineage of spiritual teachers and disciples (guru-parampara), a tradition that is believed to originate from Vishnu himself