Vaisnava Acaryas - prominent teachers in the line of Lord Caitanya. Gausiya Vaisnava Sampradaya - the school of Vaisnavism following in the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

(See also: Vaisnava Acaryas, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Vaisnava - literally means one whose nature is ‘of Visnu’ in other words, one in whose heart and mind only Visnu or Krsna resides. A bhakta of Sri Krsna or Visnu.

(See also: Vaisnava, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Vaisnava-dharma - the constitutional function of the soul which has as its goal the attainment of love for Krsna. This is also known as jaiva-dharma, the fundamental nature of living beings, and nityadharma, the eternal function of the soul.

(See also: Vaisnava-dharma, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

The Ananta Samhita is a Pancaratra agama, part of the Pancaratra corpus known collectively as the "Narada Pancaratra" among Gaudiya Vaisnavas. Other related archivesGaudiya Vaisnavas, Narada, Pancaratra, agama

Read more here: » Ananta Samhita: Encyclopedia - Ananta Samhita

Badrinath, the seat of the god Vishnu in his aspect of Badrinarayan, is the most important of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage. Located in Uttaranchal only a few kilometers from China, Badrinath is generally a two-day's journey from either Kedarnath, the site that precedes it in the Char Dham circuit, or one of the main disembarkation points on the plains. Also a member of the all-India Char Dham, Badrinath is one of the most important Vaisnava temples in India. As the route to Badrinath is for much of the way also the r

Read more here: » Badrinath: Encyclopedia - Badrinath

Viddha-Vaisnava-dharma - religious practices which go by the name of Vaisnava dharma but which are adulterated with karma and jnana.

(See also: Viddha-Vaisnava-dharma, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Tantra exists in Vaisnava, Shaiva, and Shakta forms, among others. Extolled as a short-cut to self-realization and spiritual enlightenment by some, left-hand tantric rites are often rejected as dangerous by most orthodox Hindus. The popular perception of tantra among Hindus, for example as expressed in Indian journalism, makes it more or less synonymous with black magic. This sentiment has also influenced the s ...

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Tantra, Tantra - History of Tantra, Tantra - Hindu tantra, Tantra - Tibetan tantra, Tantra - Japan's Shingon sect, Tantra - New Age tantra or Neo Tantra, Tantra - Tantric practices, Tantra - Tantra in the modern world, Tantra - Hindu tantra, Tantra - Buddhist tantra

Read more here: » Tantra: Encyclopedia II - Tantra - Hindu tantra

In Hinduism, monastic tradition varies somewhat from sect to sect. Historically this path has been open to males only, but some traditions now accept female renunciates as well. Hindu monks are called Sadhus and in most traditions are easily recognized by their saffron robes. Vaisnava monks shave their heads except for a small patch of hair on the back of the head, while Saivite monks in mos ...

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Monasticism, Monasticism - Buddhist monasticism, Monasticism - Christian monasticism, Monasticism - Hindu monasticism, Monasticism - Islamic monasticism, Monasticism - Jain monasticism, Monasticism - Monasticism in other religions, Monasticism - External link

Read more here: » Monasticism: Encyclopedia II - Monasticism - Hindu monasticism

Around this time, the members of the Sri (Ramanuja) sampradaya in the court of the king Sadacari Raja at Jaipur, Rajasthan, complained that as the Gaudiya Vaisnavas had no commentary on the Vedanta_Sutra, they were not qualified to worship the Deity and therefore the worship should be turned over to the Sri sampradaya. They also objected to the worship of Srimati Radharani along with Sri Krishna as not being authorised anywhere in the sastras. The king was initiated within the Gaudiya sampradaya and he sent word to Vrindavana, informi ...

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Baladeva Vidyabhushana, Baladeva Vidyabhushana - Govinda Bhashya: Gaudiya Vaishnava commentary on Vedanta, Baladeva Vidyabhushana - In Vrindavan

Read more here: » Baladeva Vidyabhushana: Encyclopedia II - Baladeva Vidyabhushana - Govinda Bhashya: Gaudiya Vaishnava commentary on Vedanta

The origin of the soul (Sanskrit: jiva). Srila Prabhupada explains that the soul falls from the spiritual world (the paradise) to this material world and the supreme objective of the human life is to become "Krishna conscious" to be able to return "Back to Godhead" (this is also the title of the official ISKCON magazine). However Sarasvata Gaudiya Vaisnavas teach that the soul has never been in the spiritual world. More i ...

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International Society for Krishna Consciousness, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - An overview, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - The great mantra, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Philosophy and history, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - The Seven Purposes of ISKCON, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Spreading the word, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - ISKCON after Prabhupada's Death, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Scandal and controversy, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Controversial Points, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Sources, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Reform Issues Replies

Read more here: » International Society for Krishna Consciousness: Encyclopedia II - International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Controversial Points

Vaishnava Vaisnava (Sanskrit) A follower of any sect recognizing and worshiping Vishnu as the sectarian supreme divinity. There are at present four principal Vaishnava sects: the Ramanujas founded by Ramanujacharya; the Madhvas founded by Madhva; the Vallabhas or Vallabhacharyas founded by Vallabhacharya; and a sect in Bengal founded by Chaitanya.

Other minor sects are those founded by Ramananda and Kabir. All these Vaishnava sects are of relatively modern origin, though they use at least some of the ancient Hindu writings as their texts.

(See also: Vaishnava, Vaisnava, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Hare Krishna devotees understand Krishna to be synonymous with Vishnu, and the highest form of God, or "the Supreme Personality of Godhead", and Radha to be his female counterpart, the embodiment of love. The teachings of bhakti yoga date back to the Vedic era and were fully developed since the times of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in West Bengal in the mid 1500s. Thus Hare Krishna devotees specifically follow a disciplic line of Gaudiya, or Bengali, Vaisnavas. Since the middle ages Gaudiya Vaisnavism has had a continuous following in Indi ...

See also:

International Society for Krishna Consciousness, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - The Great Mantra, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Presence in City Streets, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Philosophy and History, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - The Seven Purposes of ISKCON, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Spreading the word, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - ISKCON after Prabhupada's Death, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Scandal and controversy, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Points of Philosophical Contention, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Sources, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Reform Issues Replies

Read more here: » International Society for Krishna Consciousness: Encyclopedia II - International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Philosophy and History

The Origin of the Soul (Sanskrit: jiva). Srila Prabhupada explains that the soul falls from the spiritual world (the paradise) to this material world and the supreme objective of the human life is to become "Krishna conscious" to be able to return "Back to Godhead" (this is also the title of the official ISKCON magazine). However Sarasvata Gaudiya Vaisnavas teach that the soul has never been in the spiritual ...

See also:

International Society for Krishna Consciousness, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - The Great Mantra, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Presence in City Streets, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Philosophy and History, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - The Seven Purposes of ISKCON, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Spreading the word, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - ISKCON after Prabhupada's Death, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Scandal and controversy, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Points of Philosophical Contention, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Sources, International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Reform Issues Replies

Read more here: » International Society for Krishna Consciousness: Encyclopedia II - International Society for Krishna Consciousness - Points of Philosophical Contention

Tridansa - a staff which is carried by the Vaisnava sannyasis. It consists of three rods symbolizing engagement of body, mind, and words in the service of the Lord. These three rods may also signify the eternal existence of the servitor (the bhakta) , the object of service (Bhagavan) , and service, thus distinguishing Vaisnava sannyasa from the mayavada ekadansa sannyasa.

(See also: Tridansa, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Tulasi-mala - a strand of wooden beads made of the tulasi plant, used like a rosary by Vaisnavas for counting their chanting of harinama; a necklace of small tulasi beads, known as kanthi-mala, worn on the neck by Vaisnavas to indicate their devotion to Sri Krsna and acceptance of diksa.

(See also: Tulasi-mala, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Isanugata - those who are devoted or surrendered to Isa (Sri Bhagavan) ; the Vaisnavas.

(See also: Isanugata, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Jayadeva Gosvami:

Jayadeva Gosvami: a great Vaisnava poet and author of Gita-govinda.

(See also: Jayadeva Gosvami, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Yamunacarya:

Yamunacarya: a great Vaisnava spiritual master.

(See also: Yamunacarya, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Akincana - one who considers he has nothing but Krsna. Having nothing at all, utterly destitute materially. When referring to a Vaisnava, this usually denotes an ascetic who is devoid of the spirit of material enjoyment and accepts only the bare necessities for his maintenance.

Vaisnavas like the Pandavas who live in the midst of family and material opulence only for the service of Bhagavan and who are devoid of any desire for material enjoyment consider that nothing belongs to them. Everything belongs to Sri Bhagavan. They are akincana Vaisnavas.

(See also: Akincana, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Nirapeksa - a Vaisnava who is detached from all material enjoyment and the designations associated with varnasrama; literally means independent, or one who is without needs.

(See also: Nirapeksa, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)