Gaudiya
Vaishnavism (GV)
first teaches the difference between the soul
(a spiritual entity) and matter
(our gross physical body and mind). As long as the soul identifies with
the body, it continues to be born again and again according to the
impartial law of karma.
Such material life can only be transcended by realizing that one is the soul (whose real position is that of God’s servant), and by wholeheartedly engaging in the service of a saint following his instructions. By such uninterrupted service one gradually eliminates one’s negative habits and gains a firm attitude of service with which one will carry on eternally in God’s pastimes.
The knowledge that a saintly man possesses is based on the scriptures, which are the only truthful source of information on how to transcend material life and attain lasting happiness. The two most famous examples are Srimad Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
However, knowledge of the scriptures in itself is not sufficient, as in order to realize it one has to accept it from someone coming in a genuine disciplic succession. A saintly person to whom one surrenders is considered one’s spiritual master. He too received his knowledge from his spiritual master etc. Such a saint will impart his knowledge to you, check whether you understood it properly and engage you in practical service to help you put the learnt philosophy in practice.
In GV great importance is also laid on God’s name as It is identical with Him. His original name is that of Krishna but He has an unlimited number of other names, such as Govinda, Hari, Madhava etc. By chanting them in a humble mood one connects to Him and develops saintly qualities.
The idea of surrendering oneself to Krishna without any ulterior motives was introduced by Krishna’s incarnation called Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the 16th century. He instructed His close followers, known as the Six Goswamis of Vrindavana, on this highest kind of devotion, who then wrote many books laying down the philosophical foundations of GV. Later, many other great spiritual masters, such as Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur or Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana, significantly enriched this collection.
Such material life can only be transcended by realizing that one is the soul (whose real position is that of God’s servant), and by wholeheartedly engaging in the service of a saint following his instructions. By such uninterrupted service one gradually eliminates one’s negative habits and gains a firm attitude of service with which one will carry on eternally in God’s pastimes.
The knowledge that a saintly man possesses is based on the scriptures, which are the only truthful source of information on how to transcend material life and attain lasting happiness. The two most famous examples are Srimad Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
However, knowledge of the scriptures in itself is not sufficient, as in order to realize it one has to accept it from someone coming in a genuine disciplic succession. A saintly person to whom one surrenders is considered one’s spiritual master. He too received his knowledge from his spiritual master etc. Such a saint will impart his knowledge to you, check whether you understood it properly and engage you in practical service to help you put the learnt philosophy in practice.
In GV great importance is also laid on God’s name as It is identical with Him. His original name is that of Krishna but He has an unlimited number of other names, such as Govinda, Hari, Madhava etc. By chanting them in a humble mood one connects to Him and develops saintly qualities.
The idea of surrendering oneself to Krishna without any ulterior motives was introduced by Krishna’s incarnation called Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the 16th century. He instructed His close followers, known as the Six Goswamis of Vrindavana, on this highest kind of devotion, who then wrote many books laying down the philosophical foundations of GV. Later, many other great spiritual masters, such as Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur or Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana, significantly enriched this collection.
