Shuddhadvaita
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Shuddadvaita (Sanskrit: śuddhādvaita; pure non-dualism ), also known as the Vallabhā sampradāya (tradition of Vallabh) or Puśtimārg (The path of grace), is a Hindu Vaishnava tradition, established by Vallabhacharya in the fifteenth century. The tradition is focused on the worship of Krishna and preaches a pure form of advaita (nondualist) philosophy. The Shrinathji temple at Nathdwara, and compositions of eight poets (aṣṭachap), including Surdas, are central to the worship by the followers of the sect.[1]
Though the tradition originated near Vrindavana in the current Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, in modern times followers of Shuddadvaita are concentrated in the states of Rajasthan and Gujurat.[2]
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[edit] Vallabhacharya
Vallabha was a Telugu brahmin from a region that is currently in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. He won the title of acharya by traveling and debating advaita scholars from a young age. He is considered an avatar or Krishna's mouth (mukhāvatāra) by the followers of the tradition.[1]
The bulk of his fame lies in the region that is currently in the state of Gujarat.
[edit] Worship
In 1493-94 Vallabhacharya is said to have identified an image of Krishna at the Govardhan hill at Braj. This image, now called Shrinathji and located at Nathdwara, Rajasthan, is central to the worship by Vallabha followers.[3]
[edit] Initiating mantra
According to Vallabha tradition, one night in 1494, Vallabhacharya received the Brahmasambandha mantra (the mantra that binds one with Brahman, or Krishna) from Krishna himself (hence the name, mukhāvatāra) at Gokula. The eight-syllable mantra, śri kṛṣṇaḥ śaraṇaṃ mama (Lord Krishna is my refuge), is passed onto new initiates in Vallabh sampradaya, and the divine name is said to rid the recipient of all impurities of the soul (doṣas) .[2][3]
[edit] Philosophy
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[edit] Everything is Krishna's Leela
According to the version of Vaishnava Theology Vallabhacharya espoused; the glorious Krishna in His "sacchidananda" form is the Absolute, Svayam bhagavan. He is permanently playing out His sport (leela) from His seat in the goloka which is even beyond the divine Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu and Satya-loka, the abode of Brahma the Creator, and Kailas, the abode of Shiva. Creation is His sport.
[edit] Path to bliss in the Kali Yuga
Followers of Vallabhacharya maintain that if one wants to obtain moksha and the bliss given by Krishna, the only path to do so is bhakti. In the Kali Yuga, it is believed that the forms of bhakti mentioned in the scriptures are nearly impossible to practice, so the followers of Vallabhacharya recommend pushti bhakti – obtaining the grace of God for seemingly no reason. This path is called pushti-maarg.
[edit] Atma-nivedana
It is that bhakti which gives itself up body, heart and soul to the cause of God. It is considered to be the fullest expression of what is known as Atma-nivedana (= giving-up of oneself) among the nine forms of bhakti (Nava Vidha Bhakti). It is the bhakti of the devotee who worships God not for any reward or presents but for His own sake. Such a devotee goes to Goloka after leaving this body and lives in eternal bliss enjoying the sports of the Lord. The classical example of this complete self-effacement is that of the cow-herdesses towards Krishna. They spoke no word except prayer and they moved no step except towards Krishna. Their supreme-most meditation was on the lotus-feet of Krishna.Thus it is by God's grace alone that one can obtain release from bondage and attain Krishna's heaven, Goloka.
[edit] Ashta-chaap
Eight disciples of Vallabhacharya are called the ashta-chaap (eight reprints). Foremost among them was Surdas, the blind poet of Agra.
These are Surdas, Krushnadas, Paramanand, Kumbhandas, Chaturbhuj, Nanddas, Chhitswami, Govinddas.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Martin, Nancy M., "North Indian Hindi devotional literature" in Flood 2003, pp. 182-198
- ^ a b Beck 1993, pp. 194-195
- ^ a b Colas, Gerard, "History of Vaiṣṇava traditions" in Flood 2003, pp. 229-270
[edit] References
- Beck, Guy L. (1993). Sonic theology: Hinduism and sacred sound. Columbia, S.C: University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 0-87249-855-7.
- Flood, Gavin (Ed) (2003), Blackwell companion to Hinduism, Blackwell Publishing, ISBN 0-631-21535-2
[edit] External links
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