Tag Dualism

What Is Pancharatra Of Sri Vaishnavism

Pancharatra is a system of mental attitude and worship followed by the Vaishnavites.

This has been popularized by Sri Ramanuja, Philosopher and Social Reformer of South India (11 A.D)

Vedic Thoughts contain Theology and Philosophy.

It has various thought streams, Non Dualism, Dualism, Qualified non dualism.Monotheism,Henotheism and Polytheism.

The purport of the Vedas is to provide the platform for individuals to evolve spiritually.

With this in mind, the Seers have shared their experiences and suggest ways of Realizing Reality or God.

The choice is left to the individual.

In The Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna, to wards the close of the Gita informs Arjuna,

'I have taught you that which is the secret among secrets.

Are your doubts dispelled?

Are you clear in your Mind?

Now that you heard Me, think according to your disposition, choose what is Best for you and follow'( Chapter 18)

Hinduism prescribes many a Route to realize God.

1.The Path of Physical and Spiritual exercise, Raja Yoga,

2.The Jnana Yoga, The Path of Knowledge,

3.The Karma Yoga, The Path of Action , and

4.The path of Devotion, Bhakti Yoga.

Any of these may be followed.

It depends on one's dispositions, Svabhava.

All the three Acharyas , Adi Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhvacharya take their premise from the three Mahavakyas,

'Aham Brahma' I Am Brahman, Reality.

'Tat Tvam Asi',You are That.

Soham Asmi 'He is That.

Interpretations of these Acharyas differ.While Shankara advocates Non Dualism, Ramanuja, The Qualified Non Dualism and Madva Dualism.

I had an interesting discussion with Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Swamiji of Sri Sringeri Mutt, who is my Guru, about 40 years back.

I asked him that if The Veda is the Ultimate Authority, and if all the three Acharyas have taken the same three Mahavakyas to found their systems, why there is a difference in their conclusions?

He replied,

Acharyas know that the dispositions of the Individuals vary.

You will be able to follow things that suits your Nature.And as the Vedas say the Truth is One, but it is spoken of as Many'

(Ekam Sat Vipra bahudha vadanti)

Therefore the Acharyas have provided different approaches to reach God.

One may follow any of these.

There is no question of what is Right and What is Wrong.

That is left to reason, which is useless in Spiritual Development.

You follow what suits you and do not bother.

You are here to realize Brahman, not to prove One is Right and another is wrong"

Of these three approaches, Vaishnavism places importance on The Bhakti Yoga. The Path of Devotion.

The path of devotion is the total surrender to God.

Ramanuja systematized the Bhakti Yoga and popularised the Pancharatra system.

What is Pancharatra?

Yoga Explains Advaita,Visitadvaita Dwaita

Based on the basic definition of Yoga that 'Yoga is cessation of the Modification of Chththa,there are two levels of Samadhi.

One where one goes beyond the Objects and the impressions of them(Samprajnata samadhi) and one where the Objects disappear and only the impressions remain(asamprajnata or non-distinguished) asamprajnata or non-distinguished .

Asamprajnata or non-distinguished Samadhi is reached by Dhyana, while Ssamprajnata or distinguished Samadhi is reached by Dharana' ahigher of Contemplation of which Patanjali will speak later.

The process is scientific.

In our daily Life, we have too many objects assail our senses.

We chose a particular Object to focus and stay focused on.

This, the Modern Psychology describes as 'Span of Attention'

In this way we concentrate on one object to get information.

From a myriad of objects, to in the effort to attain the level of removing all impressions, one must first reduce the number of objects being focused.

The Nature of Mind is to run after many objects at the same time.

In Hinduism , to bring the Mind under control, many Gods are worshiped, with name and Form-initial stage.(Pluralism)

Then monotheism or the fixing of Mind on one God, with Name and Form is practiced.

This level is elevated into cessation of all modifications of Chitha by contemplating on the Non Duality of Reality(Advaita)

This is the reason why Hinduism has Gods, that too many.

For more information please read my post 'God has Names and Forms. Yes and No"