Essential Vaishnava Teachings

Essential Vaishnava Teachings PDF Author: B. B. Bodhayan
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1647221757
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 132

Book Description
The president and acarya of the Gopinath Gaudiya Math offers his insights into in the teachings of Gaudiya Vaishnavism in this enlightening book. Who am I? Who is God? What is Guru? How do I relate to other gurus and their disciples? What is the dharma that we follow? What are the impediments to service? What is our shelter? What should we meditate on while chanting? These and many other important questions are answered conclusively and authoritatively by Swami B. B. Bodhayan, current acarya of the Gopinath Gaudiya Math. Born into a Vaishnava family, the author served his guru, Srila B. P. Puri Goswami Thakur, with unwavering faith for decades. He studied and realized the essential teachings of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. In Essential Vaishnava Teachings, he shares his illuminating insights on the path of bhakti.

A Living Theology of Krishna Bhakti

A Living Theology of Krishna Bhakti PDF Author: Tamal Krishna Goswami
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199796637
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 297

Book Description
An illuminating examination of the theology of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krishna movement.

Essential Hinduism

Essential Hinduism PDF Author: Steven Rosen
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 0313071551
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 291

Book Description
As a world religion, Hinduism remains one of the most elusive for many. Its teachings, beliefs, practices, and history are reviewed here by an expert hoping to introduce readers to the world of Hinduism. While there are many forms of Hinduism, and offshoots as well, the complex nature of this faith makes it elusive to many. This straightforward overview, focusing on Vaishnavism-the most common form of Hinduism—is ideal for those who wish to learn more about this ancient tradition.. Beginning with chapters about the foundations of Hinduism, Rosen clearly lays out what is otherwise a complicated history. Providing Hindu terms alongside English translations, he is able to bring the faith alive for readers unacquainted with its varieties and its tenets. Moving on to chapters about practices, including festivals, teachings, chanting, eating habits and more, Rosen brings Hinduism to life in vivid detail.

Vaisnavism

Vaisnavism PDF Author: S.M.S. Chari
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
ISBN: 8120841352
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 422

Book Description
This is a scholarly book on one of the oldest living religions of India. Tracing the basic tenets of Vaisnavism to the hymns of Rgveda the earliest religious literature of the world, the author has shown how an ancient cult has developed itself by successive stages into a well-formulated monotheistic system in the hands of Ramanuja and his illustrious followers. In the second part of the book the fundamental philosophical theories of Visistadvaita Vedanta are presented to prove that Vaisnavism is not a mere religious cult, but has a credible philosophic foundation.

The Heart of a Vaishnava

The Heart of a Vaishnava PDF Author: B. P. Puri
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1683832167
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 259

Book Description
A book that glorifies sadhu sanga—the association of devotees—and carries aloft the banner of pure devotional service in the modern world. The Heart of a Vaishnava reminds us of Krishna’s words, “The worship of My devotee is greater than even the worship of Me.” To the uninitiated, this is a puzzle, for Krishna also says, “The devotee is My heart and I am His.” But here Swami B. P. Puri shows that without the association of devotees there is no Krishna. The Lord is present in this world through his devotees. If we want to find Krishna, we must look for him in the midst of Vaishnava association. This book glorifies the Vaishnava: it tells us of the necessity of Vaishnava association, how to recognize the Vaishnava, and how to serve the Vaishnava.

Śrī Hari-bhakti-vilāsa

Śrī Hari-bhakti-vilāsa PDF Author: Sanātana Gosvāmī
Publisher:
ISBN: 9788187812869
Category : Vaishnavism
Languages : en
Pages :

Book Description
Treatise on the rituals and doctrines of Vaishnavism.

The Place of Devotion

The Place of Devotion PDF Author: Sukanya Sarbadhikary
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520962664
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 294

Book Description
A free ebook version of this title is available through Luminos, University of California Press’s new open access publishing program for monographs. Visit www.luminosoa.org to learn more. Hindu devotional traditions have long been recognized for their sacred geographies as well as the sensuous aspects of their devotees' experiences. Largely overlooked, however, are the subtle links between these religious expressions. Based on intensive fieldwork conducted among worshippers in Bengal’s Navadvip-Mayapur sacred complex, this book discusses the diverse and contrasting ways in which Bengal-Vaishnava devotees experience sacred geography and divinity. Sukanya Sarbadhikary documents an extensive range of practices, which draw on the interactions of mind, body, and viscera. She shows how perspectives on religion, embodiment, affect, and space are enriched when sacred spatialities of internal and external forms are studied at once.

Tritiya-Prakriti: People of the Third Sex

Tritiya-Prakriti: People of the Third Sex PDF Author: Amara Das Wilhelm
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1453503161
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 125

Book Description
Tritiya-Prakriti: People of the Third Sex is a collection of years of research into a topic seldom discussed or easily found within the Hindu/Vedic scriptural canon. Based entirely upon authentic Sanskrit references and modern concurring facts, the book guides us through the original Hindu concept of a "third sex" (defined as homosexuals, transgenders and the intersexed), how such people were constructively incorporated into ancient Indian society, and how foreign influences eventually eroded away that noble system. It discusses how this concept can be practically applied in today’s modern world, the importance of all-inclusiveness in human society, and the spiritual principle of learning to transcend material designations altogether. Tritiya-Prakriti: People of the Third Sex will be a valuable source of reference for anyone interested in Hindu/LGBTI studies whether they are newcomers to the field or seasoned veterans of Vedic knowledge. It offers a veritable treasure trove of fresh information and ideas that will likely challenge the reader to rediscover and rethink Hinduism’s traditional understanding and treatment of gay, lesbian, and other gender-variant people within its culture. "The recognition of a third sex in ancient India and Hinduism is highly relevant in many ways. Our own modern-day society has only recently begun to understand sexual orientation, transgender identity, and intersex conditions, and our legal and social systems are just beginning to catch up with and accommodate such people in a fair and realistic way . . . yet ancient India had already addressed and previously resolved this issue many thousands of years ago in the course of its own civilization ́s development. Indeed, there is much we can learn from ancient India ́s knowledge regarding the recognition and accommodation of a 'third sex' within society." -Amara Das Wilhelm "In India there is a system where such people (the third sex) have their own society, and whenever there is some good occasion like marriage or childbirth, they go there and pray to God that this child may be very long living." -A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada "Gay and lesbian people have always been a part of society from Vedic times to our postmodern times. They should be accepted for what they are in terms of their sexual orientation and encouraged like everyone else to pursue spiritual life." -B.V. Tripurari Swami "Initially, I did not really allow myself to go deep in trying to understand the third sex. I figured that this was necessary only for those who are insensitive, arrogant and fundamentalist . . . who think that they are compassionate and tolerant while basically being superficial and even condescending. It is quite amazing how most of us can be so prejudiced about so many things and not even know it . . . .I thank you and several others for your compassion and for your tolerance in making efforts to educate your Godfamily, so that we can be more authentic servants of the servant." -H.H. Bhakti Tirtha Swami

Teachings of Lord Caitanya

Teachings of Lord Caitanya PDF Author: His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Publisher: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
ISBN: 9171495436
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 415

Book Description
A Summary Study of Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita Taking the role of His own devotee, Lord Sri Krishna appeared as Sri Krishna Chaitanya about five centuries ago in Bengal, India, and began a great social and spiritual revolution that has profoundly affected the lives of millions worldwide. His conversations with the great scholars, kings, and mystics of the day form the basis of Teachings of Lord Chaitanya.

The Teachings of Shri Vallabhacharya

The Teachings of Shri Vallabhacharya PDF Author: Vallabhdas
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780974676814
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 262

Book Description
Shri Vallabhacharya (1479-1531) is the beloved founder and teacher (acharya) of the path of grace (pushtimarg) and proponent of the philosophy of pure non-dualism, Shuddhadvaita Vedanta. Shri Vallabhacharya's Sixteen Works (Ṣoḍaśa Granthāḥ) are presented here in Sanskrit devanagari and Roman transliteration, alongside original English translations by the American-born devotee and scholar Shyamdas. These sixteen essential doctrines provide a comprehensive study of grace-filled devotion (pushti bhakti) from deeply philosophical and intimate devotional perspectives. To read and recite these works is the most direct approach to comprehend Shri Vallabhacharya's path of grace. Shri Vallabhacharya, also affectionately referred to by his disciples as Shri Mahaprabhuji, was born in South India in 1479 CE as a Telugu Brahmin. He established a Vaishnava philosophy and lineage that is followed around the world even today by faithful devotees of Lord Krishna. Shri Mahaprabhuji not only embodies the inner beauty of the divine lovers Radha and Krishna, but he is also a perfect witness to their lilas, or loving plays. His devotional teachings continue to transmit refined empowerments. Vallabhacharya taught that devotion is perfected by offering one's body, wealth, mind and heart to the blessed lord. Shri Mahaprabhuji's pushtimarg is a purely non-dual bhakti path that embraces a positive worldview. He fashioned his teachings to fit into this world, which is Shri Krishna's perfect creation. Everything is Krishna and nothing but Krishna. All objects in the world-and the world itself-are flawless. Maya, illusion, is simply a matter of false perception. Devotees are not preoccupied with liberation or any form of yogic practice; they are obsessed with seva-loving, pleasing service offered to the beloved. Shri Krishna responds to devotion, and that is why Shri Vallabhacharya has said, "He is the lord of sweetness."