Vaishnava Basics?

[Webimpulse]

Namaste HDF,

I haven't given much thought to which of the four "branches" of Hinduism I belong to, until recently; although I still consider Lord Ganesha my Ishta Devata, I've noticed that the teachings and tales surrounding Lord Vishnu, though, have had great spiritual appeal for me, as they seem to be the most uplifting. Tales of Lord Krishna's childhood have given me hope that even in my imperfect state I can still be pious and helpful to others; and Lord Rama is beginning to appeal to me more, not as someone to aspire to perfectly emulate, necessarily (like I previously thought when I first started reading the Ramesh Menon translation of the Ramayana), but as someone to support and associate with, like Lord Hanuman has done.

Therefore, I have come to the decision that at least for the time being, Vaishnava Dharma is the path I want to walk...but I'm the equivalent of someone who doesn't even know where that path starts. I am going to need some help if I am to fully embrace this dharma.

Can someone at least point me out to where I can find out the basics of Vaishnava Dharma?

[Anirudh]

Namaste Webimpulse,

you can access this website to get a general picture about Vaishnavism. This link speaks about Srivaisnavism

I found thid book very fundamental and easy to follow. I hope this be of some help to you.

I am sure there would be many in this forum who will share their wisdom.

[brahma jijnasa]

Namaste Webimpulse

Basic info about vaishnava traditions you can find even on Wikipedia. However for thoroughly exploring the best is to read books written by acaryas or representatives from various vaishnava traditions. Each tradition has its own writers, modern as well as those from the past.
One of the Gaudiya vaishnava authors of modern times is Srila Prabhupada, see http://vedabase.net/.

regards

[smaranam]

Namaste WebImpulse,

We have a thread titled Vaishnav Basics on HDF, in this section itself:

http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=5747

Post # 1,2,3 should be good enough to begin with.
Then, see post # 10, 12, 17.
The remaining posts make an interesting read and add knowledge but as a later step.

I would also like to mention devotion of the VArkari saints (post #10) , and Sant DnyAneshwar's commentary on Bhagavad GitA (known as BhAvArtha DeepikA OR more popularly as DnyAneshwarI).

***Typically, first one should get quite familiar with Bhagvad Gita, and then move onto Shrimad Bhagvatam.

For Shrimad Bhagvatam, I have recommended the Gita Press version elsewhere : http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=11639

Please don't dive into everything at once. Starting simple helps. The first post of "Vaishnav Basics" thread tries to do just that.

Look at it as -
*What to do (sAdhanA - limbs of bhakti)
*What to read (scripture)
*What to think (attitude)

om namo bhagavate vAsudevAya ~

[Ramakrishna]

Namaste Webimpulse,

In addition to the excellent advice given above, I would like to encourage you to immerse yourself in Hari nama-japa. Even if you already practice this, expanding and deepening it would be of great benefit to your philosophical studies of Vaishnavism.

I've noticed that the teachings and tales surrounding Lord Vishnu, though, have had great spiritual appeal for me, as they seem to be the most uplifting.

Studying the teachings and tales surrounding Lord Vishnu are indeed great for spiritual upliftment. Chanting and meditating upon the names of Lord Vishnu are the surefire way to know Him. Nama-japa of his names purifies your consciousness and opens you up to His grace. Amid the philosophical studies of Vaishnavism, engaging in this most central practice of dharma will bring you closer to the Lord. I also believe that chanting and meditating upon His names will allow for a smoother comprehension and deeper understanding of the texts, philosophy, and teachings of Vaishnavism.

Jai Sri Ram

[smaranam]

Ramkrishna is right, good advice. Post #3 on the VaishNav Basics thread mentioned above is dedicated to chanting the holy names, and it is also addressed in post# 1 as a limb of bhakti.

Sometimes, in the evenings especially, just drown yourself in kirtan - aloud, forgetting those around you : http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=7581

Chanting and meditating upon the names of Lord Vishnu are the surefire way to know Him. Nama-japa of his names purifies your consciousness and opens you up to His grace.

The Lord walks up to the devotee chanting His transcendental names. When we study the Gita, and re-re-read His words 'wide-eyed' in awe of them, the Lord smiles and watches you unknown to you.

Hare KRshNa ~

[brahma jijnasa]

Namaste smaranam

We have a thread titled Vaishnav Basics on HDF, in this section itself:

http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=5747

...

Some suggestions:
Please change "RAm" to Rāma because "RAm" is incomplete.
Please change "Lord Chaitanya is the saktyavesha avatAr" because the term "saktyavesha avatAr" refers to some jiva soul (ordinary living being) that is empowered by the Lord with special powers. Needless to say that Gaudiya vaishnavas do not think Lord Caitanya is some jiva soul. Gaudiya vaishnavas believe that Sri Caitanya is Lord Himself and not just some jiva soul empowered by the Lord! You have correctly said that He is "KRshNa in the mood of Radha".

You have good VaishNav Basics. I learned something new from them.

regards

[smaranam]

Thanks Brahma-jijn~asa, I have made the corrections on that thread as a new post since it is an old thread and cannot be edited.

That is why the thread starts with 'please correct what needs to be corrected' hoping a VaishNava will do the proof-reading

_/\_

Hare KRshNa ~