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Gaudiya Vaishnavism Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma)

Decoding Indian Caste System: The Four Varnas Explained

varna caste system varnashrama

Sanatan Dharma explains that a human being can be classified into four varnas (castes) – brahmana (priests), Kshatriya (Kings/administrators), Vaisya (merchants), and Shudra (workers) depending upon their individual nature and inclinations. Based on their caste (varna), human beings can be assigned some specific occupational duties. Indeed, everyone has a prescribed duty according to the Varnashrama dharma. Those who execute their prescribed duties live peacefully and are not greatly disturbed by material conditions. The spiritual orders of brahmacharya (celibate), grihastha (householder), vanaprastha (retired), and sannyasa (renounced) are called ashramas. If one executes his prescribed duty in both the social and spiritual order, the Supreme Lord becomes satisfied. However, it must be understood that the ultimate objective of this varna system (varna and ashrama) is to gradually purify one’s consciousness so that one grows eligible to serve and please Vishnu, the Supreme Lord. This is also confirmed in Vishnu Purana –

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Gaudiya Vaishnavism Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma) Radha Krishna

Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana | Bhagavad Gita

vishnu krishna arjuna bhagavad gita kurukshetra Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana

karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana
ma karma phala-hetur bhur ma te sango ‘stv akarmani
(Bhagavad Gita, 2.47)

You certainly have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not performing your duty.

When Arjuna was perplexed and hesitated to fight against his kins in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna coached him in the science of yoga. The conversations that took place between Krishna and Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, comprise the contents of Bhagavad Gita. Krishna and Arjuna discussed a host of subjects. Amongst them were yoga, characteristics and immortality of the soul, one’s duties, the objectives of one’s life, afterlife, God, the dynamics of the material world and the key to transcending it. Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna about 5000 years ago at the onset of the great war of Kurukshetra and their discussion is considered to be one of the most celebrated philosophical and religious dialogues known to man.

Actions without Attachment to results (ma phaleshu kadachana)

In the above verse 2.47, Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna to fight and not shy away from performing his duty. He explains that one should never refrain from fulfilling his/her prescribed duties irrespective of the outcomes of his/her actions. In other words, one should never be attached to the fruits of the actions and should only concern himself with executing them. The Lord here also emphasizes that inaction (akarmani) is sinful and one should conduct the prescribed duties under all circumstances. Prescribed duties can be categorized into routine work, emergency work, and desired activities. Actions, not opposed to scriptural injunctions, that are performed without attachment to the outcome, doubtlessly lead one to the path of liberation. An aspirant of the highest knowledge must know that to hanker or yearn for a reward for one’s actions is the cause of material bondage. But it may be said that all actions produce a result, just as eating satisfies the urge of hunger. The Supreme Lord hence states that one should not let the anticipated results be the cause of motivation for performing the respective actions.

krishna supreme truth bhagavan

Arjuna, who was reluctant to raise arms against his family members (Kauravas) on the battlefield of Kurukshetra was advised by Lord Krishna to fight. Arjuna was a Kshatriya (warrior) and it was his duty to fight for a rightful cause. Therefore, the Lord advised him to fight without bothering about the outcomes of the war. Even non-participation in the battle was another side of his attachment. Any attachment, positive or negative, causes material bondage. Therefore fighting to perform his duty as a warrior (Kshatriya) was the only auspicious path to salvation for Arjuna.

While giving his purport to this verse, Srila Madhvacharya comments that an embodied soul influenced by mundane desires is deemed to be reprehensible. Even the desire for heavenly enjoyments is to be shunned as they are tainted with fruitive rewards as well. Therefore for those possessing spiritual intelligence, motivation for the desire for reward is not advisable. Arjuna is certainly spiritually intelligent and being the son of Indra the ruler of the demigods he certainly has sufficient ‘adhikara’ or qualities. Only for the purpose of giving His unequivocal instructions for posterity has the Supreme Lord Krishna utilized him to benefit all the worlds.

Equanimity in both success or failure

In the very next verse, Lord Krishna reiterates His instructions to Arjuna and instructs him on Nishkama Karma Yoga as follows.

yoga sthah kuru karmani sangam tyaktva dhananjaya
siddhy asiddhyoh samo bhutva samatvam yoga uchyate
(Bhagavad Gita 2.48)

Execute your duty being equipoised, O Arjuna, relinquishing all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.

vaishnava vaishnavism krishna

Hereby, Krishna guides Arjuna on how one should be equipoised in both success and failure. Considering victory and defeat as equal, Arjuna should execute his duty of fighting. This equanimity of one’s mind concerning success and failure has been termed as ‘Yoga’.

Being equipoised – How can one achieve this state of mind ?

Sridhara Swami explains that yoga is the science of union between jiva and the Supreme Lord. By relinquishing attachment, and motivation for rewards, one should depend solely upon the mercy of the Supreme Lord in all of one’s activities. One should perform his/her actions only as an offering unto the supreme Lord, being totally unattached to the results. This is confirmed by Lord Krishna, later in the Bhagavad Gita –

yat karosi yad asnasi yaj juhosi dadasi yat
yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kurusva mad-arpanam
(Bhagavad Gita 9.27)

O son of Kunti (Arjuna), all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer or give away, as well as austerities you may perform – do that as an offering to Me (Krishna).

madhvacharya balakrishna

In order to survive in this material world, everyone needs to perform specific actions. Everyone has to work to preserve the body and soul together. Lord Krishna here recommends that one should work for Him and execute all their prescribed duties as an offering unto Him. In this way, dovetailing all actions, towards pleasing Krishna, and meditating on Him all throughout the day, one can unite with the Supreme Lord most intimately. Such a person is situated in the highest stage of Yoga. This is confirmed in chapter 6 of Bhagavad Gita –

yoginam api sarvesam mad-gatenantar-atmana
sraddhavan bhajate yo mam sa me yuktatamo matah
(Bhagavad Gita, 6.47)

And of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, thinks of Me within himself, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.

One needs to understand that though the living entities are entitled to actions, only the Supreme Lord can bestow the results. The Supreme Lord is the cause of all causes (sarva karana karanam). Hence, one who performs actions being motivated by fruitive results, is under the illusion that he/she is the cause of the outcome. One should understand that it is fallacious to believe that one is the ultimate controller of their own destiny because all results are ultimately ordained by the Supreme Lord.

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Gaudiya Vaishnavism Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma) Radha Krishna

Avatars of Krishna | Vishnu avatars – Unraveling the Mysteries of the Divine Incarnations

krishna supreme truth bhagavan vishnu avatars

Krishna is also referred to as ‘Bhagavan Swayam’ in Srimad Bhagavatam, thereby implying that He is the source of all avatars (incarnations) of Godhead. Krishna is ‘Svayam rupa’ or the original supreme personality of Godhead, and is also referred to as ‘puskala’ or the most complete. When various forms of the Supreme Lord manifest their appearance in this material world for various purposes, they are known as ‘avatars’ or incarnations.

Ete camsa kalah pumsah krsnas tu bhagavan svayam
Indrari vyakulam lokam mrdayanti yuge yuge
(Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.28)

All these incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of plenary portions of the Supreme Lord, but Lord Krishna is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. All of His incarnations appear whenever there is a disturbance created by atheists. These incarnations appear to protect the theists.

This is also confirmed by Lord Brahma in his prayers :

Isvarah paramah krishna sac cid ananda vigrahah
Anadir adir govindah sarva karana karanam
(Brahma Samhita 5.1)

Krishna, who is also known as Govinda, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He has a transcendental form of eternal bliss and knowledge. He is the origin of all and the prime cause of all causes.

alarnath

We have previously discussed the various forms of the Supreme Lord (Svayam rupa, tad ekatma rupa, avesha) and they are known as avatars when they descend from the spiritual to the material world. These various forms of the Supreme Lord are eternally existing in their own spiritual abodes. Avatars can appear through parents, as expansions, or without the help of any agency. For example, Lord Krishna and Ramachandra appeared as the sons of Vasudeva and Dasaratha respectively. Garbhodakasayi Vishnu originates as an expansion of Maha-Vishnu. While among those who appear without help are Matsya and Hamsa avatars. There are six types of avatars of the Supreme Lord namely –

  • Purusha avatar
  • Guna avatar
  • Lila avatar
  • Manvantara avatar
  • Yuga avatar
  • Shaktyavesha avatar

We shall discuss briefly about each of them in this article.

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Gaudiya Vaishnavism - An overview Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma)

Sacred Texts of Hinduism – A Glimpse into Hindu Holy Books

srimad bhagavatam bhagavata veda hinduism books sanatan dharma Sacred Texts of Hinduism Hindu holy book

The Vedas, considered the oldest Hindu texts, were written around 2,500 years ago, but some trace them back to 3200 BC. They are revered as the world’s most ancient and authoritative literature, composed in Sanskrit and containing knowledge passed down through generations. While some assert that there was only one Veda – the Yajur Veda, which was subsequently divided into four parts – others consider the Rig Veda to be the oldest of all Hindu writings. Generally speaking, Hindus or ‘Sanatan Dharmis’ are mainly those who follow the teachings outlined in the Hindu Holy books of the Vedas and their corollaries. The word ‘Veda’ means knowledge. Vedas are apaurusheya, meaning that they have a divine origin. Vedas are compared to a desire tree because they include all things knowable by man. They deal with mundane as well as spiritual subject matters. So the Vedic literatures, comprising of the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, etc that we shall describe later in the article comprise the Sacred texts of Hinduism. The holy writings of Hinduism can be broadly categorized into two – Shruti (that which is heard) and Smriti (that which has been remembered).

Shruti – It is considered canonical, eternal and a disclosure of indisputable truth. Consists of the 4 Vedas, Upanishads, etc.

Smriti –  It is supplementary to Shruti. Consists of Itihasas, Puranas, etc.

The various branches of Vedic literature are described in detail below.

Sacred Texts of Hinduism – Divine Revelations

According to the Vedas, our universe was created about 157 trillion, 692 billion, 960 million years ago. The science of the Vedas was first spoken by Lord Krishna to Brahma, the chief architect of the universe. Brahma passed on this knowledge to his son Narada, who in turn instructed the same to Vyasa Deva. Around 5,000 years ago, after the battle of Mahabharata, during the conjunction of Dvapara and Kali Yugas, Vyasa Deva decided to pen down the Vedas, noticing the increasing influence of the Iron Age. As Kali Yuga set in, people’s memory and intellect gradually began to diminish. The great sage Vyasadeva, therefore, extracted the four Vedas from the original unwritten Veda. The language used by the sage was ‘Devanagari’ or Sanskrit, also known as the language of the Gods.

srimad bhagavatam bhagavata purana sanatan dharma Sacred Texts of Hinduism Hindu holy book

The Vedas were not easy to understand. The size and complexity of the Vedas were better suited to the advanced intellectuals of the bygone era. Vyasadeva, therefore, compiled eighteen Puranas, which are very old historical accounts of this material world, totaling 382,000 verses. Then he compiled epics like the Mahabharata, which contained the ancient history of India in 200,000 verses. The Mahabharata also included the famous Bhagavad Gita spoken directly by Lord Krishna Himself 5,000 years ago. Vyasadeva also compiled the 108 Upanishads (Vedanta).

He finally summarized all of these literatures in a work entitled Vedanta-sutra (Brahma Sutra). But he still felt that something was missing. He discussed his dissatisfaction with his spiritual teacher, Narada, who advised him to compose Srimad Bhagavatam. Thus, with great satisfaction, Vyasdeva compiled in 18,000 verses the essence of all the Vedas – the renowned Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana). This Srimad-Bhagavatam was spoken by Sukadeva Goswami to Parikshit Maharaj, the then Emperor of the whole world. Srimad Bhagavatam or Bhagavata Purana is considered to be the ripened fruit of the Vedas.

srimad bhagavatam vyasa deva veda

The contents of the Vedic literature is divided into 3 categories –

Karma Kanda – dealing with ritualistic sacrifices aimed at enjoying heavenly enjoyments (world accepting).

Jnana Kanda – Philosophical texts aimed at knowledge through renunciation (world denying).

Bhakti Kanda – dealing with loving and worshiping God and rendering selfless service unto Him (world accommodating/transcending).

Hindu holy Books – Unveiling the writings of Hinduism

Below are primarily the various texts that comprise Vedic literature.

#1 The Four Vedas – The Rig Veda, Sama Veda, and Yajur Veda are collectively known as Vedatrayi. Atharva Veda is considered a later addition. Bharat Muni’s Natya Shastra is deemed to be the fifth Veda. The Rig Veda is the oldest among all the other Vedas.

Rig veda – It is the oldest of the Vedas and is divided into ten books (mandalas) and has 1028 hymns praising the various deities. These include Agni, Vishnu, Rudra, Varuna, and other early Vedic gods. It also contains the famous ‘Gayatri mantra’ and the ‘Purusha Shukta’ prayer (10.7.90.1-16).

Yajur Veda – A priestly handbook for use in the performance of yajnas (sacrifices).

Sama Veda – This consists of chants and melodies to be sung during worship and the performance of yajna.

Atharva Veda – Contains hymns, mantras, and chants, largely outside the scope of yajna.

#2 108 Upanishads – The term ‘Upanishad’ means an intimate session between the teacher and the taught. The Upanishads contain the philosophical essence of the Vedas and are therefore called Vedanta. ‘Veda’ means knowledge, and ‘anta’ means the end. In other words, proper understanding of the ultimate meaning of the Vedas is called Vedanta knowledge. Among the 108 Upanishads, the below are considered topmost :

  • Isa
  • Kena
  • katha
  • Prasna
  • Mundaka
  • Mandukya
  • Taittiriya
  • Aitareya
  • Chandogya
  • Brihad-aranyaka
  • Svetasvatara

#3 Vedanta Sutra – The Vedanta Sutras (also called the Brahma Sutras) are composed by sage Vyasa to systematize the teachings of the Upanishads. There are a total of 550 aphorisms divided between four chapters. 

vedas sanatan dharma Sacred Texts of Hinduism Hindu holy book writings of Hinduism

#4 Itihasas (epics) – Comprises two epics : Ramayana (composed by sage Valmiki) and Mahabharata (composed by Veda Vyasa). Mahabharata also includes the all popular Bhagavad Gita.

#5 Bhagavad Gita – Instructions spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna, the great warrior, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. These instructions on life and spirituality are enlightening and can deliver one from the ocean of material existence.

#6 Puranas (history) – Puranas are compiled from related historical facts which explain the teachings of the four Vedas. There are primarily 18 Puranas –

  • Vishnu Purana
  • Naradiya Purana
  • Padma Purana
  • Garuda Purana
  • Varaha Purana
  • Bhagavata Purana
  • Matsya Purana
  • Kurma Purana
  • Linga Purana
  • Shiva Purana
  • Skanda Purana
  • Agni Purana
  • Brahmanda Purana
  • Brahma Vaivarta Purana
  • Markandeya Purana
  • Bhavishya Purana
  • Vamana Purana
  • Brahma Purana

#7 Dharma Shastra (law books) – The Dharma Shastras include the law codes of Sanatan Dharma. They deal with three main subjects: codes of conduct, civil and criminal law, and punishment and atonement. The most important of them is Manu Smriti (or Manu Samhita), which is still consulted in Indian law. It was written by Manu, an administrative demigod (the ‘ruler of mankind’) and the first law-giver. The word “man” is said to derive from Manu. Closely related is ‘ArthaShastra’, a text that delves into the science of acquiring wealth and power.

kali yuga guru nanak hindu holy book

#8 Vedangas – auxiliary science related with Vedic study such as astronomy, astrology and phonetics.

#9 Upavedas – These are sciences not directly related to Vedic study. They are : Dhanurveda (deals with the art of warfare), Gandharvaveda (deals with the music), Silpaveda (deals with art and architecture) and Ayurveda (deals with medicine).

#10 Sectarian texts (e.g. agamas, tantras) – deals with ritualistic practices, and includes the Vaishnava Pancharatra, Shaiva Agamas and Tantras, and the Shakta Devi Shastra.

#11 Vernacular literature – Many subsidiary vedic texts, particularly during the medieval period, are written in local vernaculars such as Bengali, Tamil, Brijbasi, Gujarati, etc

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Gaudiya Vaishnavism - An overview Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma)

The Ultimate Reality: Understanding Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan

brahman paramatma bhagavan sun

Krishna, who is the personification of eternity, knowledge, and bliss, is perceived in three of His aspects – Brahman (residing everywhere), Antaryami (residing within as the Supersoul), and Bhagavan (the Supreme Person who lives beyond this material world and possesses six kinds of opulence in full – strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty and renunciation). It will be easier to understand with the help of an example. The sun, sunshine and sun’s reflection are one but also different. All pervading sunshine (compared to Brahman) is non-different from the sun. Both are heat and light, yet the sun (compared to the Supreme Personality of Godhead) retains its form and identity as the source of everything. Similarly, the same sun may be reflected upon ponds or numerous pots of water. In this way, the same God is reflected within the hearts of all living entities as Paramatma or supersoul. Hence Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan are 3 aspects of the Supreme. Brahman and Paramatma are partial whereas Bhagavan is the complete realization of the Supreme truth.

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Gaudiya Vaishnavism Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma) Radha Krishna

Vishnu or Shiva – Who is Supreme? | Differences between Vishnu and Shiva

shiva ashtakam prayers vishnu

Srimad Bhagavatam reveals that Lord Shiva is the foremost of all the Vaishnavas (devotees of Vishnu) – vaishnavanam yatha sambhuh purananam idam tatha’ (Srimad Bhagavatam – 12.13.16). However, some people having incorrect sambandha gyan (knowledge of relationship with the Supreme) incorrectly claim that Lord Shiva is the Supreme Lord. The scriptures, however, unambiguously reveal that Lord Shiva is a devotee of the Supreme Lord and in fact he is a devotee of the highest order. The Mohini Murti pastime, wherein Lord Shiva was bewildered by Krishna who took the form of a beautiful attractive woman, or the pastime of Bhasmasura , wherein Lord Shiva had to flee from the asura unto whom he had bestowed several benedictions a while before, reflect the superiority and the position of Lord Krishna as the Supreme.

In fact, Shiva is always meditating and hankering to render service unto Sri Krishna who is his dear beloved Lord. In Chaitanya Mangala, it is described how Lord Shiva once became mad with ecstasy after honoring a tiny morsel of Krishna Prasadam which he had received from Narada Muni. Such were his feelings, that he began loudly singing and dancing. The dance slowly became more and more vigorous and took the shape of ‘Tandava’, a dance that is usually performed at the time of annihilation. As the whole world started shaking, the helpless demigods approached mother Parvati requesting her to console her husband. We can thus clearly understand how dear Krishna and His food remnants are to Lord Shiva.

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Gaudiya Vaishnavism - An overview Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma)

Glories of Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) | Ripened fruit of the Vedas

vaishnava vaishnavism krishna srimad bhagavatam

#1 Srimad Bhagavatam is the literary incarnation of Krishna

Krsne sva dhamopagate dharma jnanadibhih saha
Kalau nasta-drsam esa puranarko dhunoditah
(Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.43)

Srimad Bhagavatam is as luminous as the sun. After Lord Krishna left for His abode, accompanied by dharma and knowledge, Bhagavata Purana emerged to save the people from the darkness of Kali-yuga.

Muni, mora bhakta, ara grantha bhagavate
Yara bheda ache tara nasa bhalamate
(Chaitanya Bhagavata, Madhya,  21.18)

Myself (Supreme Lord), My devotees, and the scripture Srimad Bhagavatam – one who sees any distinction between these three will find all his intelligence destroyed.

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Gaudiya Vaishnavism Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma)

Secrets of the Soul and Supersoul: Exploring Atma and Paramatma

hare krishna mahamantra kali yuga soul atma supersoul paramatma sanatan dharma

According to Sanatan Dharma, the eternal and intrinsic nature of a living entity (atman), including Man, is to perform seva (service). Sanatan dharma, being transcendental, refers to the universal and axiomatic laws that are beyond our shifting belief systems. The Vedic literatures, which are the oldest scriptures in the world, give us some much-needed insight on this subject. The Vedic scriptures, that form the very basis of the tenets of Sanatan Dharma, conclude that a living entity achieves the perfection of his existence only when he dovetails his eternal nature in serving the Supreme Lord. Instead, if he chooses to serve his own senses or his false ego, then he encircles himself in a material quagmire that only makes him suffer in multiple ways. The service attitude that a soul (atma) possesses towards Supersoul (Paramatma), is not based on any obligation, but is instead built on a foundation of a loving relationship. The whole purpose of our existence is to render loving devotional service unto the Supreme Lord, recognizing Him to be our ever well-wisher and our eternal object of love. 

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Gaudiya Vaishnavism - An overview Radha Krishna

Krishna is God | Supreme God in Hinduism

krishna accessories ornaments articles supreme lord

Lord Krishna is God (Supreme Lord). The fact that He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead is confirmed throughout the Vedic scriptures which form the basis of Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma). We are going to present some of these pieces of evidence in this article that shall conclusively establish this truth. Before discussing further, let us examine the opulence and qualities that characterize the Supreme Lord. According to the Vishnu Purana :

Aisvaryasya samagrasya viryasya yasasah sriyah
Jnana vairagyayas caiva san nam bhaga itingana
(Vishnu Purana 6.5.74)

One who possesses these six opulences of wealth, power, fame, beauty, knowledge, and renunciation in its entirety is known as Bhagavan or the Supreme Lord.

Chaitanya Charitamrita further elaborates this definition as follows :

Yanra bhagavatta haite anyera bhagavatta
Svayam bhagavan sabdera tahatei satta
(Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi, 2.88)

Only He who is the source of all other divinities is eligible to be designated as svayam bhagavan or the primeval Lord.

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Gaudiya Vaishnavism - An overview Hare Krishna Mahamantra Kali Yuga

Yuga dharma – Chanting of Hare Krishna Mahamantra | Kali Yuga

holy name krishna beads yuga dharma

Krishna, the Supreme Person is the origin of all dharma, the essence of all Vedas, and the meditation of all great authorities who understand the absolute truth. By practicing the yuga-dharma (spiritual practices for the specific yuga), everyone will attain the highest satisfaction of soul, mind, and body. Krishna and His holy name are non-different. His name is all-powerful, all-auspicious. Simply by chanting the holy name of Krishna, one can transcend the modes of material nature and attain the supreme spiritual goal. Kali Yuga, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy, that is marked with violence, deceit, and overall spiritual degeneration is the last of the four ages (Satya, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali). In this age of Kali, there is no means of attaining salvation other than chanting the holy names of Lord Hari.

harer-nama harer-nama harer-namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty-eva nasty-eva nasty-eva gatir anyatha
(Brhad Naradiya Purana)

In this age of Kali the only means of deliverance is chanting of the holy name of Lord Hari. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.

Hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare
Hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare
Iti sodasakam namnam kali kalmasa nasanam
Natah parataropayah sarva vedesu drsyate
(Kali Santarana Upanishad)

The sixteen syllables of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra: ‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’ destroy all inauspiciousness in this age of Kali. This is the verdict of the Vedas.

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