I wanted to know about the basics of Vishishtadvaita philosophy and how one should practice it
What is Vishishtadavaita in simple words ?
- Thread starter Pradyumna KV
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sangom
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Simply follow any Iyengar's life style and belief system, if you are a brahmin; otherwise consult any learned Iyengar.
To start, Google Vishishtadvaita philosophy!! LoL.
On a serious note, in addition to what Sangom said,
a. Know about Guru Parampara of Vishistadvaita Philosophy
b. Read/Recite/Understand (to the extent possible) the works of 12 Alwars (4000 divya prabandam). There are lots of commentaries, I recommend the commentary by Prathivathi Bayangaram Anna on Nalayiram Divya Prabhandam. visit www.dravidaveda.org. There is a english version as well in the website of Swamy Rama Thirtha.
c. Read/Recite/Understand (to the extent possible) the works of the Ramanuja, Alavanthar, Manavala Mamunigal & other saints in the Guru parampara (Google is a useful tool for this. If you wish you can search in tamil)
d. Read Narada Bhakthi Sutras (These are the bhakthi lessons for any aspirant) (The Ramakrishna mission's publication is excellent)
e. Listen to Velukudi Krishnan swamy's lectures. (Google his name, you will get his website and lectures in youtube)
After some time reading/reciting/understanding, you can practice the essence of the Vishitadvaita.If your calling is strong, you can get "initiated" as a disciple in the guru parampara (Please consult your family elders on who your guru is)
On a serious note, in addition to what Sangom said,
a. Know about Guru Parampara of Vishistadvaita Philosophy
b. Read/Recite/Understand (to the extent possible) the works of 12 Alwars (4000 divya prabandam). There are lots of commentaries, I recommend the commentary by Prathivathi Bayangaram Anna on Nalayiram Divya Prabhandam. visit www.dravidaveda.org. There is a english version as well in the website of Swamy Rama Thirtha.
c. Read/Recite/Understand (to the extent possible) the works of the Ramanuja, Alavanthar, Manavala Mamunigal & other saints in the Guru parampara (Google is a useful tool for this. If you wish you can search in tamil)
d. Read Narada Bhakthi Sutras (These are the bhakthi lessons for any aspirant) (The Ramakrishna mission's publication is excellent)
e. Listen to Velukudi Krishnan swamy's lectures. (Google his name, you will get his website and lectures in youtube)
After some time reading/reciting/understanding, you can practice the essence of the Vishitadvaita.If your calling is strong, you can get "initiated" as a disciple in the guru parampara (Please consult your family elders on who your guru is)
Vishisthadvaita in simple words is NARAYANA.
First fully accept Narayana.. only then you may try the given steps in post #3 by Srimadhan.
Post #3 talks is like a flower, all about tradition but he left out the fragrance...that is Narayana... the most important aspect of Vishistadvaita.
First fully accept Narayana.. only then you may try the given steps in post #3 by Srimadhan.
Post #3 talks is like a flower, all about tradition but he left out the fragrance...that is Narayana... the most important aspect of Vishistadvaita.
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mkrishna100
Active member
Velukudi Krishnan's youtube videos are a very good source of information for those interested in Vaishnava Philosophy .
For books related to Sri Vasihnava Philosophy and related matters refer this site :
http://www.srivaishnavasri.com/
Vaagmi
0
Dear Pratyumna,
Usually at a certain stage in life's journey a few tough questions come to the mind of every human being.
They are:
1.what am I really or what is the nature of the human being also called Atman.
2.what is the nature of god entity
3.what is connection/relatioship between Atman and god/Brahman.
I presume you are at that relevant stage and these questions trouble you. I also presume you are sicerely looking for an answer.
Very briefly visishtadvaitam answers these questions.
It tells you about the nature of the two entities and also explains the relationship betwen the two.
It derives its logic and facts from vedas and so is a vedic religious philosophy. You have to accept vedas as pramana or authoritative to move further into that philosophy.
there are number of books available on this subject. You can look for it in any book shop.
wish you success.
Usually at a certain stage in life's journey a few tough questions come to the mind of every human being.
They are:
1.what am I really or what is the nature of the human being also called Atman.
2.what is the nature of god entity
3.what is connection/relatioship between Atman and god/Brahman.
I presume you are at that relevant stage and these questions trouble you. I also presume you are sicerely looking for an answer.
Very briefly visishtadvaitam answers these questions.
It tells you about the nature of the two entities and also explains the relationship betwen the two.
It derives its logic and facts from vedas and so is a vedic religious philosophy. You have to accept vedas as pramana or authoritative to move further into that philosophy.
there are number of books available on this subject. You can look for it in any book shop.
wish you success.
Brahmanyan
Active member
Pundit Srinivas Khedam in his article on "Ramanujacharya . The proponent of Vishishtadvaita Philosophy" gives the following explanation on"The Philosophy of Vasishtadvaita", I have copied the relevent portion as it is found in the article.
The Philosophy of Vishishtadvaita:
The Vishishtadvaita philosophy of Ramanuja is refined Advaita philosophy proposed by Adi Shankaracharya. Shankracharya’s Advaita philosophy says that Brahmin is the ultimate truth, the world is an illusion, and there is no difference between the Brahman and individual self. Whereas Ramanuja’s Vishishtadaviat philosophy says that Brahmin is ultimate and He has numerous attributes. It is incorrect to say that Brahmin is Nirguna(without attributes). Brahmin, the ultimate truth, is different from individual self. At the same time Brahmin is in every entity of this universe, which is His creation. Brahmin is Paramantma(supreme soul) and individual self is Jeevatma(minute soul). They could be compared to an ocean and drop of water simultaneously. The ultimate goal of jeevatama is to reach paramantma, juts like the destination of every rain drop is the ocean through complete surrender. Once jeevatma reaches paramatma it will continue to serve paramatma in Paramapadama, the abode of Lord Narayana or Mahapurusha.
The writer has used the word "Brahmin" instead of "Brahman" in many places, other spellings are also to be corrected while reading the Article.
Full Article is available in the following web-link:
http://www.mypanchang.com/ramanuja.php
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.
The Philosophy of Vishishtadvaita:
The Vishishtadvaita philosophy of Ramanuja is refined Advaita philosophy proposed by Adi Shankaracharya. Shankracharya’s Advaita philosophy says that Brahmin is the ultimate truth, the world is an illusion, and there is no difference between the Brahman and individual self. Whereas Ramanuja’s Vishishtadaviat philosophy says that Brahmin is ultimate and He has numerous attributes. It is incorrect to say that Brahmin is Nirguna(without attributes). Brahmin, the ultimate truth, is different from individual self. At the same time Brahmin is in every entity of this universe, which is His creation. Brahmin is Paramantma(supreme soul) and individual self is Jeevatma(minute soul). They could be compared to an ocean and drop of water simultaneously. The ultimate goal of jeevatama is to reach paramantma, juts like the destination of every rain drop is the ocean through complete surrender. Once jeevatma reaches paramatma it will continue to serve paramatma in Paramapadama, the abode of Lord Narayana or Mahapurusha.
The writer has used the word "Brahmin" instead of "Brahman" in many places, other spellings are also to be corrected while reading the Article.
Full Article is available in the following web-link:
http://www.mypanchang.com/ramanuja.php
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.
T
talwan
Guest
Ramanuja's Vishistadvaita explains,there are 3 Thathuas. they are Paramatma(Brahman),Jeevatma(chit)and achit(in general objects they have no knowledge). The achits emanate from Moolaprgruthi. In simple statement vishistadvaita claims that there is one Brahman which has withinit the chit and achit(moolapragruthi).The Brahman creates the universe from moolapragruthi.The chits take a birth/body according to its karma.The Brahman supports the chit and achit.
Alwwan
Alwwan
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