Vishnu (IAST viṣṇu, Devanagari विष्णु, with honorific Shri Vishnu; śrī viṣṇu, श्रीविष्णु ), is a form of God, to whom many Hindus pray. For Vaishn ...

Including:

• Vishnu - Etymology
• Vishnu - pre-Puranic Vishnu
• Vishnu - Theological attributes and more
• Vishnu - Relations with other Deities
• Vishnu - Iconography
• Vishnu - Worship
• Vishnu - Names
• Vishnu - Theological beliefs and philosophy

Read more here: » Vishnu: Encyclopedia - Vishnu

Karnataka, and the Kannada-speaking Brahmin community, include adherents of all the three sects (schools of philosophy) of south Indian Brahminism, being: Smartha sect - adherents of Sri Adi Shankaracharya Srivaishnava sect - adherents of Sri Ramanujacharya Madhwa sect - adherents of Sri Madhvacharya These sects each include several castes of Brahmins. These include: Baboorkamme Hoysala Karnataka Shivalli Brahmins Kota Brahmin - Smartha sect brahmins ...

See also:

Kannada Brahmins, Kannada Brahmins - Prominent Communities, Kannada Brahmins - Eminent Kannada Brahmins

Read more here: » Kannada Brahmins: Encyclopedia II - Kannada Brahmins - Prominent Communities

Despite having been initiated in the Shri Madhvacharya tradition, Sri Chaitanya founded a tradition of his own, having some marked differences with the practices and the theology of the followers of Madhvacharya. He is not known to have composed anything but a series of verses known as the Siksastaka, "eight verses of instruction". He requested a select few among his followers, who later came to be known as the Six Gosvamis of Vrindavan, to systematically present the theology of bhakti he had taught in their writings. The six saints a ...

See also:

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Chaitanya's life, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Chaitanya's tradition, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Cultural legacy

Read more here: » Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Encyclopedia II - Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Chaitanya's tradition

There are numerous temples for Hanuman, and his images are usually installed at all temples where images of avataras of Vishnu are installed. Sri Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami was the main deity of Sri Raghavendra Swami. The place where he meditated on this five-faced form of Hanuman is now known as Panchamukhi, wherein a temple for him has been built. There is also a shrine for Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami at Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India. A 40 feet tall monolithic green granite murti of Sri Panchamukha Hanuman has been installed ...

See also:

Hanuman, Hanuman - Birth, Hanuman - Childhood, Hanuman - Hanuman in the Ramayana War, Hanuman - After the Ramayana War, Hanuman - Presence of Hanuman, Hanuman - Hanumad Ramayana, Hanuman - Temples for Hanuman, Hanuman - Flag of Hanuman

Read more here: » Hanuman: Encyclopedia II - Hanuman - Temples for Hanuman

There have been numerous saints who have seen Hanuman in modern times, notably Tulsidas (16th century), Sri Ramdas Swami (17th century), and Raghavendra Swami (17th century). Others have also testified to his presence wherever the Ramayana is read: (in Sanskrit, not transliterated) Yatra Yatra Raghunath Kirtanam Tatra Tatra Krita Mastaka anjalim Bashpawari Pari purna lochanam Marutim nammascha rakshas antakam Which means That wherever the deeds of Sri Rama are sung, At all such places does Hanuman cry tears of devotion and joy, At all such plac ...

See also:

Hanuman, Hanuman - Birth, Hanuman - Childhood, Hanuman - Hanuman in the Ramayana War, Hanuman - After the Ramayana War, Hanuman - Presence of Hanuman, Hanuman - Hanumad Ramayana, Hanuman - Temples for Hanuman, Hanuman - Flag of Hanuman

Read more here: » Hanuman: Encyclopedia II - Hanuman - Presence of Hanuman

All forms of Vedanta are drawn primarily from the Upanishads, a set of philosophical and instructive Vedic scriptures which deal mainly with forms of meditation. "The Upanishads are commentaries on the Vedas, their putative end and essence, and thus known as Vedānta = 'End of the Veda'. They are considered the fundamental essence of all the Vedas and although they form the backbone of Vedanta, portions of Vedantic thought are also ...

See also:

Vedanta, Vedanta - Sub-schools of Vedanta, Vedanta - Roots of Vedanta, Vedanta - Transition from Vedic to Vedantic religion, Vedanta - Formalization, Vedanta - Vedanta and science, Vedanta - Major Vedantic Gurus

Read more here: » Vedanta: Encyclopedia II - Vedanta - Roots of Vedanta

In the 16th century, the laws of the time prohibited lower caste people from entering into the sanctum sanctorum of Hindu Temples, and in Kanaka Dasa's case it was Udupi Sri Krishna Temple. According to one legend, however, a portion of the wall of the temple is said to have broke, the Krishna murti turned around, and by Krishna's grace, he was given darshan of the murti. The window is now called 'Kanaka Kindi'. Like Tukaram, his life demonstrated that devotion to God was the sole criteria for acceptance, not ancestry. For m ...

See also:

Kanaka Dasa, Kanaka Dasa - Overview, Kanaka Dasa - Biography, Kanaka Dasa - Major works

Read more here: » Kanaka Dasa: Encyclopedia II - Kanaka Dasa - Overview

Brahmanism - Maharashtrian sub-castes:. Chitpavan Brahmins, Deshastha Brahmins Karhade Brahmins, Brahmanism - South Indian brahmin sub-castes:. South Indian brahmins are divided into three distinct sects, depending on the philosophy of Vedanta that they adhere to. These are: The Smartha brahmins, who adhere to the Advaita Vedanta propounded by Sri Shankaracharya. They include the following communities- the Iyers of Tamil ...

See also:

Brahmanism, Brahmanism - Theology, Brahmanism - Pantheism, Brahmanism - Caste, Brahmanism - Sub castes, Brahmanism - Maharashtrian sub-castes:, Brahmanism - South Indian brahmin sub-castes:, Brahmanism - The four stages of life, Brahmanism - Sacramental rites, Brahmanism - Vegetarianism, Brahmanism - Moksha, Brahmanism - Evolution of Brahminism, Brahmanism - Brahmin Supremacy, Brahmanism - Trimurti, Brahmanism - Challenge To Brahmin Supremacy and Caste System, Brahmanism - Buddhism, Brahmanism - Charvaka, Brahmanism - B.R. Ambedkar, Brahmanism - Famous Brahmins

Read more here: » Brahmanism: Encyclopedia II - Brahmanism - Sub castes

Puranas list twenty-five avataras of Vishnu. A description of these is found in the Bhagavata Purana, Canto 1. 1) Catursana 2) Narada 3) Varaha 4) Matsya 5) Yajna 6) Nara-Narayana 7) Kapila 8) Dattatreya 9) Hayasirsa 10) Hamsa 11) Prsnigarbha 12) Rsabha 13) Prithu 14) Narasimha 15) Kurma 16) Dhanvantari 17) Mohini 18) Vamana 19) Parasurama 20) Raghavendra (Rama) 21) Vyasa 22) Balarama 23) Krishna 24) Kalki ...

See also:

Avatar, Avatar - Teachings and significance, Avatar - The ten Avatars or Dasavatara, Avatar - The 24 Avatars of the Puranas, Avatar - Types of avatars, Avatar - The Ninth Avatar: Balarama or Buddha?, Avatar - Symbolism, Avatar - List of other people considered to be avatars, Avatar - Other Uses

Read more here: » Avatar: Encyclopedia II - Avatar - The 24 Avatars of the Puranas

After the war, and after reigning for several years, the time arrived for Rama to depart to his heavenly abode. Many of Rama's entourage, decided to depart with him including vanaras like Sugriva. However, shunning the heavens, Hanuman requested to remain on earth for as long as Rama's name is venerated by people. Sita accorded Hanuman that wish, and granted that his image will be installed at various public places, so he could listen to people chanting Rama's name. He is thu ...

See also:

Hanuman, Hanuman - Birth, Hanuman - Childhood, Hanuman - Hanuman in the Ramayana War, Hanuman - After the Ramayana War, Hanuman - Presence of Hanuman, Hanuman - Hanumad Ramayana, Hanuman - Temples for Hanuman, Hanuman - Flag of Hanuman

Read more here: » Hanuman: Encyclopedia II - Hanuman - After the Ramayana War

Pre-modern Vedantins: Adi Shankara Bhaskara Vallabha Caitanya Nimbarka Baladeva Vidyabhushana Vacaspati Misra Suresvara Vijnanabhiksu Badarayana Modern Vedantins: Ramakrishna Paramahansa Swami Vivekananda Ramana Maharshi Nisargadatta Maharaj Sri Aurobindo Swami Sivananda Swami Chinmayananda Paramahansa Yogananda Swami ...

See also:

Vedanta, Vedanta - Sub-schools of Vedanta, Vedanta - Roots of Vedanta, Vedanta - Transition from Vedic to Vedantic religion, Vedanta - Formalization, Vedanta - Vedanta and science, Vedanta - Major Vedantic Gurus

Read more here: » Vedanta: Encyclopedia II - Vedanta - Major Vedantic Gurus

Pre-modern Vedantins: Adi Shankara Bhaskara Vallabha Caitanya Nimbarka Baladeva Vidyabhushana Vacaspati Misra Suresvara Vijnanabhiksu Badarayana Basavanna Kanakadasa Hubli Siddaroda swamy Modern Vedantins: Ramakrishna Paramahansa Swami Vivekananda Ramana Maharshi Nisargadatta Maharaj Sri Aurobindo Swami Sivananda Swami Chinmayananda Paramahansa Yogananda Swami Parthasarathy Swami Rama Tirtha < ...

See also:

Vedanta, Vedanta - Sub-schools of Vedanta, Vedanta - Roots of Vedanta, Vedanta - Transition from Vedic to Vedantic religion, Vedanta - Formalization, Vedanta - Vedanta and science, Vedanta - Major Vedantic Gurus

Read more here: » Vedanta: Encyclopedia II - Vedanta - Major Vedantic Gurus

The Maha Avatara (Great Avatars) of Vishnu are usually said to be ten and this is popularly known as the Dasavatara (dasa (dasha) in Sanskrit means ten). The first four of the ten avatars have appeared in the Krita Yuga (the first of the four Yugas or Ages that comprise one Mahayuga - for more details please read the section above on Lord Brahma). The next three avatars appeared in the Treta Yuga, the eighth incarnation in the Dwapar Yuga and the ninth in the Kali Yuga. The ...

See also:

Avatar, Avatar - Teachings and significance, Avatar - The ten Avatars or Dasavatara, Avatar - The 24 Avatars of the Puranas, Avatar - Types of avatars, Avatar - The Ninth Avatar: Balarama or Buddha?, Avatar - Symbolism, Avatar - List of other people considered to be avatars, Avatar - Other Uses

Read more here: » Avatar: Encyclopedia II - Avatar - The ten Avatars or Dasavatara

The Maha Avatara (Great Avatars) of Vishnu are usually said to be ten and this is popularly known as the Dasavatara (dasa (dasha) in Sanskrit means ten). The first four of the ten avatars have appeared in the Krita Yuga (the first of the four Yugas or Ages that comprise one Mahayuga - for more details please read the section above on Lord Brahma). The next three avatars appeared in the Treta Yuga, the eighth incarnation in the Dwapar Yuga and the ninth in the Kali Yuga. The ...

See also:

Avatar, Avatar - Teachings and significance, Avatar - The ten Avatars, or Dasavatara, Avatar - The 24 Avatars of the Puranas, Avatar - Types of avatars, Avatar - The Ninth Avatar: Balarama or Buddha?, Avatar - Symbolism, Avatar - List of other people considered to be avatars, Avatar - Other Uses

Read more here: » Avatar: Encyclopedia II - Avatar - The ten Avatars, or Dasavatara

Hanuman is born in Treta Yuga as the son of an apsara (a celestial), named Punjisthala, who by a curse becomes Anjana, a female vanara. Hence Hanuman is also called Änjanèya (the son of Anjana). She is the wife of Kesari, a mighty vanara who once killed a mighty elephant that was troubling sages and hermits. He therefore got the name of Kesari, meaning a lion, and is also called Kunjara ...

See also:

Hanuman, Hanuman - Birth, Hanuman - Childhood, Hanuman - Hanuman in the Ramayana War, Hanuman - After the Ramayana War, Hanuman - Presence of Hanuman, Hanuman - Hanumad Ramayana, Hanuman - Temples for Hanuman, Hanuman - Flag of Hanuman

Read more here: » Hanuman: Encyclopedia II - Hanuman - Birth

It is considered that Hanuman originally scripted a version of the Ramayana on clay tablets, recording every detail of Rama's deeds, and brought them to Rama for his blessings of that narrative. Rama out of modesty is said to have declined the recording, considering instead his own deeds, simply his righteous duties. Dejected by this, Hanuman is said to have brought these clay tablets to seashore, recited each verse, broken each tablet on his knee and thrown it into the sea. This version is called the Han ...

See also:

Hanuman, Hanuman - Birth, Hanuman - Childhood, Hanuman - Hanuman in the Ramayana War, Hanuman - After the Ramayana War, Hanuman - Presence of Hanuman, Hanuman - Hanumad Ramayana, Hanuman - Temples for Hanuman, Hanuman - Flag of Hanuman

Read more here: » Hanuman: Encyclopedia II - Hanuman - Hanumad Ramayana

While the traditional Vedic 'karma kanda', or ritualistic components of religion, continued to be practiced through the Brahmins as meditative and propitiatory rites to guide society to self-knowledge, more jnana- or knowledge-centered understandings began to emerge. These were mystical streams of Vedic religion that focused on meditation, self-discipline and spiritual connectivity rather than on rituals. Etymologically, veda means "knowledge" and anta means "end", so the literal meaning of the term "Vedānta" is "the en ...

See also:

Vedanta, Vedanta - Sub-schools of Vedanta, Vedanta - Roots of Vedanta, Vedanta - Transition from Vedic to Vedantic religion, Vedanta - Formalization, Vedanta - Vedanta and science, Vedanta - Major Vedantic Gurus

Read more here: » Vedanta: Encyclopedia II - Vedanta - Transition from Vedic to Vedantic religion

Many claim that the ten avatars represent the evolution of life and of mankind on earth. Matsya, the fish, represents life in water. Kurma, the tortoise, represents the next stage, amphibianism. The third animal, the boar Varaha, symbolizes life on land. Narasimha, the Man-Lion, symbolizes the commencement development of mammals. Vamana, the dwarf, symbolizes this incomplete development of human. Then, Parashurama, the forest-dwelling hermit armed with an axe, connotes completion of the basic development of humankind. The King Rama signals m ...

See also:

Avatar, Avatar - Teachings and significance, Avatar - The ten Avatars or Dasavatara, Avatar - The 24 Avatars of the Puranas, Avatar - Types of avatars, Avatar - The Ninth Avatar: Balarama or Buddha?, Avatar - Symbolism, Avatar - List of other people considered to be avatars, Avatar - Other Uses

Read more here: » Avatar: Encyclopedia II - Avatar - Symbolism

List of Hindu deities - Mental son of Brahma. Narada List of Hindu deities - Incarnations of Vayu. Hanuman Bhima Shri Madhvacharya List of Hindu deities - Avatara of Lakshmi. Sita Devi List of Hindu deities - Manifestation of Durga. Chandanayika See also:

List of Hindu deities, List of Hindu deities - A, List of Hindu deities - B, List of Hindu deities - C, List of Hindu deities - D, List of Hindu deities - E, List of Hindu deities - G, List of Hindu deities - H, List of Hindu deities - I, List of Hindu deities - K, List of Hindu deities - L, List of Hindu deities - M, List of Hindu deities - N, List of Hindu deities - P, List of Hindu deities - R, List of Hindu deities - S, List of Hindu deities - T, List of Hindu deities - U, List of Hindu deities - V, List of Hindu deities - Y, List of Hindu deities - Aspects, List of Hindu deities - Aspects of Brahma, List of Hindu deities - Aspects of Shiva, List of Hindu deities - Aspects of Devi, List of Hindu deities - Aspects of Vishnu, List of Hindu deities - Incarnations, List of Hindu deities - Mental son of Brahma, List of Hindu deities - Incarnations of Vayu, List of Hindu deities - Avatara of Lakshmi, List of Hindu deities - Manifestation of Durga, List of Hindu deities - Avatars of Vishnu

Read more here: » List of Hindu deities: Encyclopedia II - List of Hindu deities - Incarnations

Besides the ten traditional avatars of Hinduism, some other Indian Hindus are considered to be avatars by themselves or by others. Some of these include: Chaitanya (1486-1534) is claimed to be an avatar of Krishna by the Gaudiya Vaishnavism sect. He is also known as the 'Golden Avatar'. His appearance is predicted in the latter texts of the Srimad Bhagavatam. For more information, see Gaudiya Vaishnava Theology. Ayya Vaikundar (1809-1851) According to Akilattirattu Ammanai, the religious book of Ayyavazhi, Lord Vaikunda ...

See also:

Avatar, Avatar - Teachings and significance, Avatar - The ten Avatars or Dasavatara, Avatar - The 24 Avatars of the Puranas, Avatar - Types of avatars, Avatar - The Ninth Avatar: Balarama or Buddha?, Avatar - Symbolism, Avatar - List of other people considered to be avatars, Avatar - Other Uses

Read more here: » Avatar: Encyclopedia II - Avatar - List of other people considered to be avatars

Sri Purandara Dasa was born to a pawnbroker named Varadappa Nayaka. Varadappa Nayaka and his wife Lakshmi Saraswati Bai had been childless for several years, and finally, after praying to Lord Srinivasa of Tirupati, they became proud parents of a child whom they called Srinivasa. The family are supposed to have hailed from Pandarapur in modern day Maharashtra but Purandara Dasa lived in Hampi during the latter part of his life. Srinivasa Nayaka grew up and entered his father's business. However, unlike his father, he was a miser, so m ...

See also:

Purandara Dasa, Purandara Dasa - Life and work, Purandara Dasa - Transformation from Nayaka to Dasa, Purandara Dasa - The poet and the composer

Read more here: » Purandara Dasa: Encyclopedia II - Purandara Dasa - Life and work

The story of Chaitanya's life is at times biographic and at times mythic, often associating him with stories of Krishna. According to Chaitanya Charitamrita, Caitanya was born as Visvambhar Mishra in 1486 as the second son of Jagannath Mishra and Sachi Devi in the town of Navadvipa in Nadiya, West Bengal, India. In his youth, Chaitanya was an erudite scholar, whose learning and skills in argumentation were next to none. Though religious at heart, Chaitanya did not display an active ...

See also:

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Chaitanya's life, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Chaitanya's tradition, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Cultural legacy

Read more here: » Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Encyclopedia II - Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Chaitanya's life