THE MEANING OF GAUDIYA VAISHNAVISM
A Theological Statement from a Practicing Gaudiya Vaishnava
STEVEN J. ROSEN (SATYARAJA DASA)

The religious path known as Vaishnavism can be described as devotion to Krishna, Rama, Vishnu, or any of his divine incarnations. The tradition is seen by its adherents as a type of monotheism in which worship of a personal God is the focus. In sheer numbers, it prevails as the leading religious system over Saivism, Saktism, and the many other paths commonly associated with Hindu dharma.
There are ancient scriptural texts that form the basis of this religion: the Vedas, the Puranas, the Mahabharata (including the Bhagavad-gita), the Ramayana, and the writings of the great acaryas. Some of these texts date back to at least the second century bc, with an oral tradition that goes back to antiquity. Vaishnavas refer to their path as sanatana dharma, or “the eternal function of the soul,” and also as bhakti-yoga, or “the devotional path through which one can link with the supreme.” The religion of Vaishnavism is expressed in various ways throughout the Indian subcontinent.

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