Changes

Hindu theology can be considered as the study and doctrine of the worship and adoration of six forms of the Godhead as Ganesa, Devi (Durga, Lakshmi, Sarasvati), Siva, Vishnu, Surya and Skanda. These aspects of divine worship are known as Shanmatas or the sixfold religious practice of the Hindus.<ref name=":0">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 157-170</ref>The term Hinduism is most elastic. It includes a number of sects and cults, allied, but different in many important points. Hinduism has, within its fold, various schools of Vedanta; Vaishnavism, Saivism, Saktism, etc. It has various cults and creeds. It is more a League of Religions than a single religion with a definite creed.<ref name=":0" />

Hindu theology can be considered as the study and doctrine of the worship and adoration of six forms of the Godhead as Ganesa, Devi (Durga, Lakshmi, Sarasvati), Siva, Vishnu, Surya and Skanda. These aspects of divine worship are known as Shanmatas or the sixfold religious practice of the Hindus.<ref name=":0">Swami Sivananda, All About Hinduism, Page 157-170</ref>The term Hinduism is most elastic. It includes a number of sects and cults, allied, but different in many important points. Hinduism has, within its fold, various schools of Vedanta; Vaishnavism, Saivism, Saktism, etc. It has various cults and creeds. It is more a League of Religions than a single religion with a definite creed.<ref name=":0" />

Swami Sivananda says that diverse sects and creeds are a credit to Hinduism. There are various types of minds and temperaments and so there are various faiths. This is the cardinal tenet of Hinduism. It prescribes spiritual food for everybody, according to his qualification and growth. All diversities are organised and united in the body of Hinduism. It provides food for reflection for different types of thinkers and philosophers all over the world. What appeals to one may not appeal to another, and what is easy for one may be difficult for another. Hence the need for different standpoints.

Swami Sivananda says that diverse sects and creeds are a credit to Hinduism. There are various types of minds and temperaments and so there are various faiths. This is the cardinal tenet of Hinduism. It prescribes adhyatmik food for everybody, according to his qualification and growth. All diversities are organised and united in the body of Hinduism. It provides food for reflection for different types of thinkers and philosophers all over the world. What appeals to one may not appeal to another, and what is easy for one may be difficult for another. Hence the need for different standpoints.

The Rig-Veda declares: एकं सत विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति (Truth is one; sages call it by various names—Ekam Sat Viprah Bahudha Vadanti_

The Rig-Veda declares: एकं सत विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति (Truth is one; sages call it by various names—Ekam Sat Viprah Bahudha Vadanti_

The Hindus are divided into three great classes, viz., '''Vaishnavas''' who worship the Lord as Vishnu; '''Saivas''' who worship the Lord as Siva; and '''Saktas''' who adore Devi or the Mother aspect of the Lord. In addition, there are the Sauras, who worship the Sun-God; Ganapatyas who worship Ganesa as supreme; and Kaumaras who worship Skanda as the Godhead.  

The Hindus are divided into three great classes, viz., '''Vaishnavas''' who worship the Lord as Vishnu; '''Saivas''' who worship the Lord as Siva; and '''Saktas''' who adore Devi or the Mother aspect of the Lord. In addition, there are the Sauras, who worship the Sun-God; Ganapatyas who worship Ganesa as supreme; and Kaumaras who worship Skanda as the Godhead.  

== THE VAISHNAVAS ==

== THE VAISHNAVAS ==

=== Ramanandis<ref name=":0" /> ===

=== Ramanandis<ref name=":0" /> ===

The followers of Ramananda are called Ramanandis. They are found mostly in the north. They are branch of the Ramanuja sect (Ramananda was a disciple of Ramanuja). They offer their worship to Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. He stayed in Varanasi during the beginning of fourteenth century. The favourite work is Bhakti Mala. Their sectarian marks are like those or the Ramanujas. The Vairagees are the ascetics among Ramanandis.        

The followers of Shri Ramananda are called Ramanandis. Ramananda was a disciple of Ramanuja, who propounded the Visistadvaita school of Vedanta Darsana.        

 

Ramananda stayed in Varanasi during the beginning of fourteenth century. Ramanandis are found mostly in the north and are a branch of the Sri Sampradayins. They offer their worship to Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. The favourite work is Bhakti Mala. Their sectarian marks are like those or the Ramanujas. The Vairagees are the ascetics among Ramanandis.        

=== 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. 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 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 murti or vigraha 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.  

Akas Mukhis, Gudaras, Jangamas, Karalingis, Nakhis, Rukharas, Sukharas, Urdhabahus, Ukkaras are all Saiva sects.  

Akas Mukhis, Gudaras, Jangamas, Karalingis, Nakhis, Rukharas, Sukharas, Urdhabahus, Ukkaras are all Saiva sects.  

THE SAKTAS The Saktas are worshippers of Devi, the Universal Mother. Dakshinis, Vamis, Kancheliyas, Kararis are all Sakta sects. 

== THE SAKTAS<ref name=":0" /> ==

 

The Saktas are worshippers of Devi, the Universal Mother. Dakshinis, Vamis, Kancheliyas, Kararis are all Sakta sects. 

 

 

 

 

SADHUS AND SANNYASINS Salutations unto the ancient Rishis, seers, saints, Paramahamsa Sannyasins and Sadhus, who are the repositories of divine knowledge and wisdom and who guide the destiny of the world in the past, present and future. 

life of seclusion and meditation. There are Bhikkus in Buddhism, Fakirs in Mohammedanism, Sufistic Fakirs in Sufism, and Fathers and Reverends in Christianity. The glory of a religion will be lost absolutely if you remove these hermits or Sannyasins or those who lead a life of renunciation and divine contemplation. It is these people who maintain or preserve the religions of the world. It is these people who give solace to the ,householders when they are in trouble and distress. \m, They are the messengers of the Atman-knowledge and  

The Nanak Shahis have seven sub-sects: Udasis, Ganjbakhsis, Ramrayis, Sutra Shahis, Govinda Sinhis, Nirmalas, Nagas. Then there are Babalalis, Prana Nathis, Satnamis, Siva Narayanis.   

heavenly peace. They are the harbingers of divine wisdom andpeace. They are the disseminators of Adivatmic science and Upanishadic revelations. They heal the sick, comfort the forlorn and nurse the bedridden. They bring hope to the hopeless, joy to the depressed, strength to the weak and courage to the timid, by imparting the knowledge of the Vedanta and the significance of the 'Tat Tvam Asi' Mahavakya. 

The founder of the Arya Samaj was Swami Dayananda Sarasvati, who was born in Kathiawar in 1824. This samaj is more of a social institution, with a religious background. It has Gurukulas, schools and Pathasalas. The Suddhi Sabha is a proselytising branch of the Arya Samaj.  

Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanat-Kumara and Sanat-Sujata were the four mind-born sons of Lord Brahma. They refused to enter the Pravritti Marga or worldly life and entered the Nivritti Marga or the path of renunciation. The four Kumaras were the pioneers in the path of Sannyasa. Sri Dattatreya also is among the original Sannyasins. The Sannyasins of the present day all descendants of the four Kumaras, Dattatreya and Sankaracharya. Sri Sankaracharya, regarded as an Avatara of Lord Siva and the eminent exponent of Kevala Advaita philosophy, established four Mutts—one at Sringeri, another at Dvaraka, a third at Puri and a fourth at Joshi-Mutt in the Himalayas, on the way to the Badarinarayana shrine. Sri Sankara had four Sannyasin disciples, viz., Suresvara, Padmapada, Hastamalaka and Totaka. Suresvara was in charge of Sringeri Mutt, Padmapada was in charge of Puri Mutt, Hastamalaka was in charge of Dvaraka Mutt and Totaka was in charge of Joshi-Mutt. The Sannyasins of Sringeri Mutt, the spiritual descendants of Sri Sankara and Suresvaracharya, have three names, viz., Sarasvati, Puri and Bharati. The Sannyasins of the Dvaraka Mutt have two names, viz., Tirtha and Asrama. The Sannyasins of the Puri Mutt have two names, viz., Vana and Aranya. The Sannyasins  

The four Kumaras (Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanat-Kumara and Sanat-Sujata) were the pioneers in the path of Sannyasa. They refused to enter the Pravritti Marga or worldly life and entered the Nivritti Marga or the path of renunciation. Sri Dattatreya also is among the original Sannyasins. The Sannyasins of the present day all descendants of the four Kumaras, Dattatreya and Adi Sankaracharya.   

or the Joshi-Mutt have three names, viz., Gin', Parvata and Sagara. The Dasanamis worship Lord Siva or Lord Vishnu, and meditate on Nirguna Brahman. The Dandi sannyasins, who hold staff in their hands, belong to the order of Sri Sankara. Paramahamsa Sannyasins do not hold staff. They freely move about as itinerant monks. Avadhutas are naked Sannyasins. They do not keep any property with them. The Sannyasins of the Ramakrishna Mission belong to the order of Sri Sankara. They have the name Puri. Then, there are Akhada Sannyasins, viz., Niranjani Akhada and Jhuna Akhada. They belong to the order of Sri Sankara. They are Dasanamis. They are found in the Uttar Pradesh State only. Rishikesh and Haridwar are colonies for Sannyasins. Varanasi also is among the chief abodes of Sannyasins. 

The '''Dandi''' sannyasins, who hold staff in their hands, belong to the order of Sri Sankara. '''Paramahamsa''' Sannyasins do not hold staff. They freely move about as itinerant monks. '''Avadhutas''' are naked Sannyasins. They do not keep any property with them. The Sannyasins of the Ramakrishna Mission belong to the order of Sri Sankara. They have the name Puri. Then, there are Akhada Sannyasins, viz., Niranjani Akhada and Jhuna Akhada. They belong to the order of Sri Sankara.  

In South India, there are Tamil Sannyasins who belong to the Kovilur Mutt, Thiruvavaduthurai and Dharmapuram Adhinams. They do not belong to the Sri Sankara order. They are Saivas. 

In South India, there are Tamil Sannyasins who belong to the Kovilur Mutt, Thiruvavaduthurai and Dharmapuram Adhinams. They do not belong to the Sri Sankara order. They are Saivas. 

 

Nagas are Saiva Sannyasins. They remain in a naked state. They smear their bodies with ashes. They have beard and matted locks. 

Nagas are Saiva Sannyasins. They are in a naked state. They smear their bodies with ashes. They have beard and matted locks. 

 

Guru Nanak's order of ascetics are called Udasis. They correspond to Sannyasins and Vairagis. They are indifferent to the sensual pleasures of this world (Udasina). Hence they are called Udasis. 

Guru Nanak's order of ascetics are called Udasis. They correspond to Sannyasins and Vairagis. They are indifferent to the sensual pleasures of this world (Udasina). Hence they are called Udasis. 

VAIRAGIS Vairagi is one who is devoid of passion. Vaira,,, are Vaishnavas. They worship Lord Rama, Sita. at Hanuman. They read the Ramayana of Tulasiclas. mendicant Vaishnavas of the Rama,nandi class art. th:. Vairagis. This ascetic order was instituted by sri Ananda, the twelfth disciple of Ramananda. 

 

Vairagi is one who is devoid of passion. Vairagis are Vaishnavas. They worship Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman. They read the Ramayana of Tulasidas. The mendicant Vaishnavas of the Ramanandi class are the Vairagis. This ascetic order was instituted by Sri Ananda, the twelfth disciple of Ramananda. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gorakhnath was a contemporary of Kabir. He is regarded as the incarnation of Lord Siva. He calls himself as the son of Matsyendranath and grandson of Adinath. There is a temple of Gorakhnath at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. Bhartrihari was a disciple of Gorakhnath. Goraksha-Sataka, Goraksha-Kalpa and Goraksha-Nama were written by Gorakhnath. They are in Sanskrit. The followers of Gorakhnath are usually called Kanphatas, because their ears are bored and rings are inserted in them, at the time of their initiation. They worship the Lord Siva. 

The founder of this order was Ramcharan born in the year 1718 in a village near Jaipur in Rajasthan. The Rama Sanehi mendicants are of two classes, viz., the Videhis who are naked and the Mohinis who wear two pieces of cotton cloth dyed red in ochre. Their monastery is in Shahapur in Rajasthan. The Rama Sanehi sect has the largest following in Mewar and Alwar. They are found also in Bombay, Gujarat, Surat, Poona, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Varanasi. 

There are Sadhus of the Nimbarka Sampradaya. There are Vaishnavas. The Sannyasins of the Ramanuja Sampradaya wear orange-coloured cloth, a holy thread and tuft and Tri-danda or three-staff. At present, they are very few in number. 

The Dadu Panthis form one of the Vaishnava cults. Dadu, the founder of this sect, Was a disciple of one of the Kabir Panthi teachers. The followers worship Lord Rama. Dadu was a cotton cleaner. He was born at Ahmedabad at around 1600. The Dadu Panthis are of three classes, viz., the '''Viraktas''' who are bareheaded and have one cloth and one water-pot, the '''Nagas''' who carry arms and who are regarded as soldiers and the '''Vistar Dharis''' who do the avocations of ordinanry life.

Sri Pirannath is the founder of this sect. He was born in 1675 at Jamnagar, district Rajkot, in Kathiawar. He was the Divan of Raja Jam Jasa. The followers are to practise Ahimsa, Satya and Daya—non-violence, truthfulness and compassion. They study the sacred  

Gorakhnath was a contemporary of Kabir. He is regarded as the incarnation of Lord Siva. He calls himself as the son of Matsyendranath and grandson of Adinath. There is a temple of Gorakhnath at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. Bhartrihari was a disciple of Gorakhnath. Goraksha-Sataka, Goraksha-Kalpa and Goraksha-Nama were written by Gorakhnath. They are in Sanskrit. The followers of Gorakhnath are usually called '''Kanphatas''', because their ears are bored and rings are inserted in them, at the time of their initiation. They worship Lord Siva. 

 

Sri Pirannath is the founder of this sect. He was born in 1675 at Jamnagar, district Rajkot, in Kathiawar. He was the Divan of Raja Jam Jasa. The followers are to practise Ahimsa, Satya and Daya—non-violence, truthfulness and compassion. They study the sacred book, Kul Jam Svarup or Atma Bodha in Hindi, which contains teachings of Sri Pirannath. it contains 18,000 Chaupais. They worship Bal-Krishna i.e. Krishna as a small lad. The followers are found mostly in Punjab, Gujarat, Assam, Nepal and Mumbai. There are two mutts or monasteries—one at Jamnagar and the other at Pamna.  

 

book, Kuhltim Sintrup, tr Af nut - todittf, in fitoi, contaititt the tencitingtt 01 Sri it itnwith„ft t4jr1 18,000 Chnupais. They ww:thip I tIt Kritihnift, Krishna as 11 The followers are found mostly in th - Gujarat, Assam, Nepal and Rom brty. TIwu' two Mt or monasteries—one at Jtimnagar and the otikr Painna. 

==References==

==References==

<references />

<references />

 

[[Category:Sampradayas]]

 

[[Category:Hindu philosophical concepts]]