Hindu traditions and practices



Written by leading international scholars this book provides a comprehensive and critical guide to the various literatures, traditions and practices of Hinduism.

Chapter VIII talks about Vaishnavism in great detail in which the deity is Vishnu. It has two traditions — Srivaishnavism of Tamil Nadu and Gaudiya Vaishnavism of Bengal. While explaining Srivaishnavism it describes the devotion of the Alwars, and the theology propagated by Ramanuja, which is called Visishtadvaita.

The next chapter explores the form of Bhakti which had originated in the Vedas, developed in the epics, Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavata Purana and the Devi Mahatmya. Saiva Siddhantins, Alvars and saints did help to understand the Saguna and the Nirguna forms of Brahman.

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