Vedanta Philosophy

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Glossary of Sanskrit Terms

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Vaishnava Lit., a follower of Vishnu. An adherent of Vaishnavism—a dualistic branch of Hinduism. Vaishnavas follow the path of devotion to Vishnu, for the most part in his avatars such as Rama, Krishna, and Chaitanya.

Vallabha A philosopher-saint of sixteenth-century India who wrote commentaries on the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavatam.

Vartika A verse-commentary.

Vedanta Desika A thirteenth-century philosopher and writer; one of Ramanuja's greatest successors. Vedanta Desika, or Desika, was a voluminous writer, both in Sanskrit and Tamil. Desika stressed, in contrast to Pillai Lokacharya, that both grace and self-effort are necessary in spiritual life. The self-effort is necessary to achieve the Lord's grace.

Vedas Lit., "Veda" means knowledge or wisdom. The Vedas are the sacred and most ancient scriptures of the Hindus. Orthodox Hindus believe that the Vedas are the result of direct divine revelation; they are considered the final authority in all spiritual matters. There are four Vedas: the Rik, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva. Each Veda consists of a ritual or "work" portion, and the philosophical or "knowledge" portion, known as the Upanishads. The ritual portion consists of the Brahmanas—texts which discuss the significance of different sacrificial rites—and the Samhitas—a collection of mantras or hymns, addressed to specific deities such as Indra or Varuna. Also included in the ritual portion are the aranyakas which give a spiritual interpretation to the rituals.

Vidya Knowledge leading to the ultimate Reality.

Vishishtadvaita The philosophy of qualified nondualism, founded by Ramanuja. Vishishtadvaita states that the individual soul and insentient matter are distinct from Brahman, but Brahman is the basis of their existence and reality.

Vishnu The second aspect of the Hindu trinity, God in his aspect as the preserver of the universe. Vishnu is frequently shown with four arms, and he holds the discus, mace, conchshell, and lotus. According to the doctrine of the avatar, Vishnu incarnates as a human being in every age for the good of the world.

Vivekananda, Swami (1863-1902) The most prominent disciple of Ramakrishna, also known as Swamiji. Swami Vivekananda came to America in 1893 as the Hindu representative at the Parliament of Religions. After his triumphal success at the Parliament, he held classes and lectures throughout the United States and Europe, thus initiating the Vedanta movement in the West. In India, Swamiji organized the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.

Yajna Sacrifice, sacrificial ceremony; in Vedic times it meant "sacrificing things for the sake of the Deity."

Yajnavalkya A saint mentioned in the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad.

Yoga Lit., "yoke"—the act of yoking or joining together. Yoga is union of the individual soul with the ultimate Reality. It is also the method by which this union is achieved. There are four yogas: bhakti yoga, the path of devotion; jnana yoga, the path of knowledge and discrimination; karma yoga, the path of detached work, and raja yoga, the path of meditation.

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