According to Vaishnavism, Visnu is the sole supreme entity who created everything. Although it has a monotheistic and consistent conception of God, it contains some philosophical flaws. It might make God seem like a flawless being, which would be a mistake.
The focus of Vaishnavism is devotion to Vishnu and all of his incarnations, especially Krishna. Hindus also revere the elephant-headed deity Ganesha. Hinduism places a lot of emphasis on the Ganesha symbol, and the Vaishnavas hold that the elephant-headed god has the power to erase all impediments. It is a branch of Hinduism with origins in the late BCE and early CE.
Vaishnavism's tantric tradition places a strong focus on individual devotion and Vishnu-mantra worship. Devotees repeat the chant over and over. Kirtan, a highly passionate style of devotion, is another way to worship Vishnu. Kirtan is a traditional part of a Vaishnava gathering, where people sing songs to Vishnu and call out his name as part of the puja. There are two primary Vaishnava sects: the Bhagavatas and the Pancharatas.
The Bhagavata tradition emphasizes bhakti and a close bond with Vishnu (deva-self worship). According to the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna is "Bhagavan Himself" and that all other forms are subject to him. In the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata, Krishna imparts advice. He is frequently pictured as a cowherd lad or a young prince. The eternal nature of all living things is likewise acknowledged by Vaishnavas.
They also recognize that a lack of spiritual ties to God is at the root of all life's problems.They think that by repeating his name, a person might reawaken their connection to God and reenter the spiritual world. The Bhakti movement extended to Muslim-ruled India in the sixteenth century. Vaishnava teachers started to let go of the constraints of caste, philosophy, and ritual during this time.
Some academics say that the more traditional Vaishnava school can be traced back to the Vedic god Bhaga, while others say that the movement is a combination of a number of ancient theistic traditions. The achievement of moksha, or deliverance from the cycles of samsara, is the primary objective of Vaishnavas. Other objectives, like good health and material prosperity in this life, are frequently combined with this concept.
The majority of Vaishnavas also hold that Vishnu will be with them forever in the hereafter. With a large following all throughout the world, Vaishnavas assert that they are a part of a long-standing Hindu heritage. According to some estimates, there are 600 million believers. This represents nearly 68 percent of the total population.
One of the most well-liked branches of Hinduism in contemporary India is Vaishnavism. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness is mainly responsible for its growth in different parts of the world. Vaishnavas regard Vishnu as the supreme deity. Additionally, they are aware of Vishnu's several avatars, including Rama and Krishna. Vaishnavism doesn't believe in other gods from the Vedas because they are called devas.
The Vedas and other early Hindu writings are also considered to be scriptural authority by Vaishnavas. The Puranas and Epics are considered Samhitas, whereas the Upanishad and Brahma Sutra are considered Sruti.
These two works include exegetical writing. This plays a crucial role in Vaishnavism. It's important to remember that the Hindu tradition's texts can be interpreted in different ways. Ancient India is where Vaishnavism first emerged. It was created as a syncretism of several cults and religions. The Vedic religion suffered a fall in the fourth century BCE, while Buddhism and Jainism saw a rise in followers.
The Krishnite movement made an effort to reestablish its Vedic roots during this time. They appropriated Vishnu, a minor figure in the Rag Veda, a Vedic divinity. Later, they recognized him as Aitareya Brahmana's highest godhead. The love of God that is conditioned by biblical commands is known as vaidhi-bhakti. When the name or qualities of God are uttered, the heart of a real devotee fills with this love. At this stage, the devotee's heart is overflowing with the desire to love God, no matter what the circumstances.