The doctrine of avatara (He who descends)...

The doctrine of avatara (He who descends), especially important to Vaishnavism, teaches that whenever adharma gains ascendency in the world, God takes a human birth to reestablish "the way." There are either 10, 22 or 34 avataras of Vishnu, according to various scriptures. The most renowned avataras were Rama and Krishna. The last to come will be Kalki, the harbinger of a golden age on Earth.

Vaishnavism stresses the personal aspect of God over the impersonal, and bhakti (devotion) as the true path to salvation. The goal of Vaishnavism is the attainment of mukti, defined as blissful union with God's body, the loving recognition that the soul is a part of Him, and eternal nearness to Him in Vaikuntha, heaven. Foremost among Vaishnava scriptures are the Vaishnava Agamas, Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata Purana. Among the earliest schools were the Pancharatras and the Bhagavatas.

The five major contemporary schools (founded between 1000 and 1500) are those of Ramanuja (Sri Vaishnavism), Madhva, Nimbarka, Vallabha and Chaitanya. Philosophically they range from Madhva's pure dualism to Vallabha's lofty monistic vision. Vaishnavite: Of or relating to Vishnu; same as Vaishnava. A follower of Vishnu or His incarnations. See: Vaishnavism, Vishnu. vaishya: (Sanskrit) "Landowner; merchant." The social class of bankers, businessmen, industrialists; employers.

Merchant class, originally those whose business was trade as well as agriculture. See: varna dharma. valipadu: (Tamil) "Ritual worship; revering, following." The acts of adoration of the divine, expressed in many practices and ways. Vallabhacharya: (Sanskrit) "Beloved." Vaishnava saint (ca 1475-1530) whose panentheistic Shuddha Advaita (pure nondualism) philosophy became the essential teaching of the nonascetic Vaishnava sect that bears his name.

He composed 17 works, most importantly commentaries on the Vedanta and Mimamsa Sutras and the Bhagavata Purana. The stories of his 84 disciples are often repeated on festive occasions by followers. The sect is strongest in Gujarat. See: Vedanta. vama: (Sanskrit) 1) "Pleasant; beautiful; benignant; striving after"--as in Vamadeva, a name of Siva. 2) "Left; crooked; acting in the opposite way"--as in vama marga, the left-handed tantric path." See: left-handed, tantrism.

vanaprastha ashrama: (Sanskrit) "Forest-dweller stage." See: ashrama dharma, shashtyabda purti. vanquish: To defeat or conquer in conflict or competition. See: victors and vanquished.