Vaishnavism: An Introduction
The beginning and end of Vaishnavism
is bhakti, itself. Bhakti is the reciprocal love which exists between
humans and the Divine, and it is the highest and purest form of love possible.
Deep within the human heart burns the desire to love and be loved. Bhakti
provides the vehicle to cultivate and know this love and to develop a
personal relationship with the personality of God, or Godhead. An overview
of Vaishnavism shows that Bhakti is prevalent throughout all schools of
Hindu theology.
A vast literary heritage was developed, including such classics as the
Ramayana, the Bhagavata Purana, and the Mahabharata.
Within the Mahabharata, which is the world's longest poem, lies
the veritable bible of the Bhakti faith, the Bhagavad Gita. Within
the Gita lies the essence of all Bhakti theology and practice, total devotion
and service to the Lord as Krishna.
The Bhagavad Gita consists of a conversation between Krishna,
the supreme incarnation of God (Vishnu), and Arjuna, a great army general
who is Krishna's devotee and friend. In the moments preceding a battle,
Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna his threefold theistic identity: Krishna
is the very foundation of all spiritual and material existence, Brahma;
Krishna is the supreme soul that enters into the hearts of all living
creatures, Purushottama; and Krishna is the original, eternal Supreme
Personality, or Godhead. Krishna explains that the best way to reconnect
the soul with himself is through Bhakti Yoga.
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