Changes

The Vaishnavism traditions may be grouped within four sampradayas, each exemplified by a specific Vedic personality. They have been associated with a specific founder, providing the following scheme: Brahma Sampradaya (Madhvacharya), Sri Sampradaya (Ramanuja), Rudra Sampradaya (Vishnuswami, Vallabhacharya)<ref>E. Allen Richardson (2014), Seeing Krishna in America: The Hindu Bhakti Tradition of Vallabhacharya in India and Its Movement to the West</ref>,Kumaras sampradaya (Nimbarka).<ref>Klostermaier, K.K. (1998), A concise encyclopedia of Hinduism, Oneworld</ref>. These sampradayas are described below.

The Vaishnavism traditions may be grouped within four sampradayas, each exemplified by a specific Vedic personality. They have been associated with a specific founder, providing the following scheme: Brahma Sampradaya (Madhvacharya), Sri Sampradaya (Ramanuja), Rudra Sampradaya (Vishnuswami, Vallabhacharya)<ref>E. Allen Richardson (2014), Seeing Krishna in America: The Hindu Bhakti Tradition of Vallabhacharya in India and Its Movement to the West</ref>,Kumaras sampradaya (Nimbarka).<ref>Klostermaier, K.K. (1998), A concise encyclopedia of Hinduism, Oneworld</ref>. These sampradayas are described below.

=== Sri Sampradayins<ref name=":0" /> ===

=== Sri Sampradayins<ref name=":0" /> ===

Out of various Vaishnava sampradayas, the most ancient is the Sri Sampradaya founded by Ramanuja Acharya. The followers of Ramanuja worship Vishnu and Lakshmi and their incarnations. They  are called Ramanujas or Sri Sampradayins or Sri Vaishnavas. They repeat the Ashtakshara Mantra: 'Om Namo Narayanaya' They put on two white vertical lines and a 'central red line on the forehead.    

Out of various Vaishnava sampradayas, the most ancient is the Sri Sampradaya founded by Ramanuja Acharya. Ramanuja was a great opponent of Sankaracharya's Advaita system of philosophy and propounded the '''Visistadvaita school''' of Vedanta Darsana. in particular he is known for his attack on Mayavada of Adi Shankara.    

 

The followers of Ramanuja worship Vishnu and Lakshmi and their incarnations. They  are called Ramanujas or Sri Sampradayins or Sri Vaishnavas. They repeat the Ashtakshara Mantra: 'Om Namo Narayanaya' They put on two white vertical lines and a 'central red line on the forehead.    

Vedanta Desika, a follower of Ramanuja, introduced some reform in the Vaishnava faith. This gave rise to the formation of two parties of Ramanujas, one called the '''Northern School''' '''(Vadagalai)''' and the other the '''Southern School (Tengalai)'''. The Tengalais regard Prapatti or self-surrender as the only way to salvation. The Vadagalais think that it is only one of the ways. According to them, the Bhakta or devotee is like the young one of a monkey which has to exert itself and cling to its mother (Markata-Nyaya or Monkey Theory); whereas, according to the Southern School, the Bhakta or devotee is like the kitten which is carried about by the cat without any effort on its own part (Marjala-Nyaya or Cat-hold Theory).   

Vedanta Desika, a follower of Ramanuja, introduced some reform in the Vaishnava faith. This gave rise to the formation of two parties of Ramanujas, one called the '''Northern School''' '''(Vadagalai)''' and the other the '''Southern School (Tengalai)'''. The Tengalais regard Prapatti or self-surrender as the only way to salvation. The Vadagalais think that it is only one of the ways. According to them, the Bhakta or devotee is like the young one of a monkey which has to exert itself and cling to its mother (Markata-Nyaya or Monkey Theory); whereas, according to the Southern School, the Bhakta or devotee is like the kitten which is carried about by the cat without any effort on its own part (Marjala-Nyaya or Cat-hold Theory).   

=== Vallabhacharins or Krishna Sampradayins<ref name=":0" /> ===

=== Vallabhacharins or Krishna Sampradayins<ref name=":0" /> ===

The Vallabhacharins form a very important sect in Bombay, Gujarat and the Central India. Their founder Vallabhacharya was born in 1479. The Vallabhacharins worship Krishna, as Bala-Gopala. Their idol is one representing Krishna in his childhood till his twelfth year. The Gosains or teachers are family men. The eight daily ceremonials for God in the temples are Mangala, Sringara, Gvala, Raja Bhoga, Utthapana, Bhoga, Sandhya, and Sayana. All these represent various forms of adoration of God.   

The Vallabhacharins form a very important sect in Bombay, Gujarat and the Central India. Their founder Vallabhacharya was born in 1479. Vallabhacharya propounded the '''Shuddhadvaita school''' of Vedanta Darsana. The Vallabhacharins worship Krishna, as Bala-Gopala. Their idol is one representing Krishna in his childhood till his twelfth year. The Gosains or teachers are family men. The eight daily ceremonials for God in the temples are Mangala, Sringara, Gvala, Raja Bhoga, Utthapana, Bhoga, Sandhya, and Sayana. All these represent various forms of adoration of God.   

The mark on the forehead consists of two red perpendicular lines meeting in a semicircle at the root of the nose and having a round spot of red between them. The necklace and rosary are made of the stalk of the Tulasi (holy Basil). The great authority of the sect is the Srimad-Bhagavata as explained in the Subodhini, the commentary thereon of Vallabhacharya. One of the important centres of this sect is Sri Nathdvara.  

The mark on the forehead consists of two red perpendicular lines meeting in a semicircle at the root of the nose and having a round spot of red between them. The necklace and rosary are made of the stalk of the Tulasi (holy Basil). The great authority of the sect is the Srimad-Bhagavata as explained in the Subodhini, the commentary thereon of Vallabhacharya. One of the important centres of this sect is Sri Nathdvara.  

=== The Chaitanyas<ref name=":0" /> ===

=== The Chaitanyas<ref name=":0" /> ===

This sect is prominent in Bengal and Orissa. The founder, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu or Lord Gouranga, was born in 1485. He was regarded as an incarnation of Lord Krishna. He took Sannyasa at the age of twenty-four. He went to Jagannath where he taught Vaishnava doctrines.  

This sect is prominent in Bengal and Orissa. The founder, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu or Lord Gouranga, was born in 1485. He was regarded as an incarnation of Lord Krishna. He took Sannyasa at the age of twenty-four. He went to Jagannath where he taught Vaishnava doctrines. His school of thought is called the '''Achintya Bheda-Abheda school''' of Vedanta Darsana.  

The Chaitanyas worship Lord Krishna as the Supreme Being. All castes are admissible into the sect. The devotees constantly repeat the Name of Lord Krishna. Chaitanya's Charitamirita by Krishna Das is a voluminous work. It contains anecdotes of Chaitanya and his principal disciples and the expositions of the doctrines of this sect. It is written in Bengali. 

The Chaitanyas worship Lord Krishna as the Supreme Being. All castes are admissible into the sect. The devotees constantly repeat the Name of Lord Krishna. Chaitanya's Charitamirita by Krishna Das is a voluminous work. It contains anecdotes of Chaitanya and his principal disciples and the expositions of the doctrines of this sect. It is written in Bengali. 

=== The Nimbarkas<ref name=":0" /> ===

=== The Nimbarkas<ref name=":0" /> ===

The founder of this sect is Nimbarka or Nimbaditya. He was originally named Bhaskara Acharya. He is regarded as an incarnation of the Sun-God (Surya). The followers worship Krishna and Radha conjointly. Their chief scripture is the Srimad-Bhagavata Purana.  

The founder of this sect is Nimbarka or Nimbaditya. He was originally named Bhaskara Acharya. He propounded the '''Dvaita-Advaita or Bheda-Abheda school''' of Vedanta Darsana. He is regarded as an incarnation of the Sun-God (Surya). The followers worship Krishna and Radha conjointly. Their chief scripture is the Srimad-Bhagavata Purana.  

The Nimbarkas or Nimavats are throughout the whole of upper India particularly around Mathura. They have the largest numbers among various Vaishnava sects in Bengal. 

The Nimbarkas or Nimavats are throughout the whole of upper India particularly around Mathura. They have the largest numbers among various Vaishnava sects in Bengal. 

The followers wear two perpendicular yellowish lines made by Gopichandana earth drawn from the root of the hair to the commencement of each eyebrow and the meeting in a curve. This represents the footprint of Lord Vishnu.    

The followers wear two perpendicular yellowish lines made by Gopichandana earth drawn from the root of the hair to the commencement of each eyebrow and the meeting in a curve. This represents the footprint of Lord Vishnu.    

THE MADHVAS The Madhvas are Vaishnavas. They are known as Brahma Sampradayins. The founder of the sect is Madhvacharya, otherwise called Ananda Tirtha and Purna-Prajna. He was born in 1200. He was a great opponent of Sankaracharya's Advaita system of philosophy. He is regarded as an incarnation of Vayu or the Wind-God. He erected and consecrated at Udipi the image of the Lord Krishna. The Gurus of the Madhya sect are Brahmins and Sannyasins. The followers bear the impress of the symbols of Vishnu upon their breasts and shoulders. They are stamped with a hot iron. Their frontal mark consists of two perpendicular lines made with Gopichandana and joined at the root of the nose. They make straight black line, with a charcoal from incense offered to Krishna, which terminates in a round mark made with turmeric. The Madhvas are divided into two classes called the Vyasakutas and the Dasakutas. They are found in Karnataka. Truthfulness, study of scriptures, generositY, kindness, faith and freedom from envy form the moral code of Madhvas. They give the Lord's Names to their children (Namakarana), and mark the body with His symb°1s (Ankana). They practise virtue in thought, word and deed (Bhajana). 

The Madhvas are Vaishnavas. They are known as '''Brahma Sampradayins'''. The founder of the sect is Madhvacharya, otherwise called Ananda Tirtha and Purna-Prajna. He was born in 1200. He was a great opponent of Sankaracharya's Advaita system of philosophy and propounded the '''Dvaita system'''. He is regarded as an incarnation of Vayu or the Wind-God. He erected and consecrated at Udipi the image of the Lord Krishna. 

 

The Gurus of the Madhva sect are Brahmins and Sannyasins. The followers bear the impress of the symbols of Vishnu upon their breasts and shoulders. They are stamped with a hot iron. Their frontal mark consists of two perpendicular lines made with Gopichandana and joined at the root of the nose. They make straight black line, with a charcoal from incense offered to Krishna, which terminates in a round mark made with turmeric. The Madhvas are divided into two classes called the Vyasakutas and the Dasakutas. They are found in Karnataka. Truthfulness, study of scriptures, generositY, kindness, faith and freedom from envy form the moral code of Madhvas. They give the Lord's Names to their children (Namakarana), and mark the body with His symb°1s (Ankana). They practise virtue in thought, word and deed (Bhajana). 

scattered are yen, the most  

scattered are yen, the most