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Glossary V
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Explanation
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Vaikuntha
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Vaikuntha signifies the heavenly realm of Krishna, being called also 'spiritual heaven'. Vaikuntha is considered at the same time as residence of Krishna and as manifestation of his inner force. It is divided into different realms and consists in innumerable planets. The most important planet is Krishna-Loka, being itself divided into the three planets: Dvaraka, Mathuraand Goloka (the highest planet).
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Vaishya, Vaisya
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This term signifies the third social class within the Hindu Caste system, its prescribed duties being defined as cattle breeding,
trade and agriculture. It developed out of the lower strata of the Indo-European tribes of the Aryans, which migrated to India since 1500 BC. Together with the Kshatriyas and the Brahmin, the Vaishyas are considered as 'twice born'. That means, they have many social and most of all religious privileges, the latter one signifying their right, to undergo a specific initiation ceremony at the age of sixteen, providing them with the right to obtain the holy wisdom of the Vedas and to perform the vedic sacrifices. Together with the Shudras the Vaishyas were considered as the mass of producers within Hindu society. In the course of time, the social and economical position of the Vaishyas and Shudras improved.
The foreign and overseas trade, which concentrated on the urban centres, developed step by step into a domain of the Vaishyas. For that reason, the rich urban upper class of old Indian times
consisted mainly of Vaishyas.
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Varna
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See: caste system
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Varnashramadharma, Varnasramadharma
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'Law of the different castes and life stages'. This term signifies the most representative corpus of Smriti literature. At the same time it is closely linked with the development of the dharma. Being a
literary corpus, it consists of two literary genres: the dharma-sutras (600-400 BC) and the Yajnavalkya Smriti (100-300 AD). Both genres are concentrating on the elaboration of norms, which intend to regulate all modes of social interaction. In these texts the laws for the caste system and the life stages were firmly established.
See: dharma-sastra.
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Vedanta, Veda
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The word Vedanta means: the end of the Veda. It signifies the Upanishads, marking the end of the Veda. They include many
different perceptions of the relation between the individual soul and the ultimate truth (god). It was Badarayana, who tried to systemize the Vedanta in his Brahma-sutras in the first centuries AD. These scriptures were focusing on the idea, that Brahma evolved in the course of evolution out of the variety of individual souls. In this system Brahma was considered as the ruler of the universe. In the second half of the first millennium the philosophical idea evolved, that the material world was a mere illusion (maya).
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Vishnu, Visnu
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In the religion of the vedic times (1200-900 BC), Vishnu was considered originally as a minor god. He was looked upon as a charitable being. A legend about Vishnu said, that once upon a time he strided through the universe with three steps, signifying the different positions of the sun. In the period of the Puranas he acquired a very high reputation though, and he was identified with Indra,
the great vedic god. In the course of the development of Hinduism many Aryan and non-Aryan gods and cults were identified with Vishnu, raising Vishnus reputation even more. In the centuries right before and after Christ, Vishnuismevolved as a dominant part within Hinduism. Vishnu was elevated into the Hindu pantheon, together with Brahma and Shiva he was considered as the Trinity Trimurti.
He presented the maintainer and protector of the world and of mankind, motivating Brahma after the cyclic destruction of the universe to its recreation. The symbol for this manifestation of Vishnu is his popular presentation as lying on the snake Anante,
representing eternity, in the middle of the ocean.
See: Krishna; Bhakti; Avatara.
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Vithoba
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A manifestation of Vishnu. The worship of Vithoba is due mainly to the Saint Tukaram (1605-1649 AD, Maharashtra). Tukaram, who was originally a trader, dropped this profession, in order to worship Vishnu with all his strength. He worshipped Vishnu as Vithoba and Vitthalin
Pandurang, in the shrine of Pandharpur. Pandharpur, which is situated in Maharashtra, is still a famous and vital centre of pilgrimage.
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