Vaishnavism is an ancient branch of Hinduism that worship Vishnu as the Supreme God of all. Vaishnavites believe that Vishnu is the all pervading, eternal, ever-present and omnipotent divine being. Vishnu is worshipped through his many incarnations as Rama, Krishna, Narasimha, Matsya, Vamana and many others. Vishnu is believed to be the protector of the universe, who maintains its order and balance, and is responsible for guarding against chaos and disaster.
The classic texts of Vaishnavism describe Vishnu as being the source of all energy and life in the universe, and as the one who is responsible for all the karma, good and bad. He is also described as being the ultimate source of all knowledge and beautiful things in the universe.
From a metaphysical perspective, Vaishnavism views Vishnu to be the Supreme Absolute, who is beyond all words, thoughts, and forms. Vishnu is said to be the One from whom all existence emanates, including all gods, souls, and matter. He is beyond time, space and causation and is the foundation of the entire universe.
Although Vaishnavism is centered around the worship of Vishnu, the tradition also reveres other Hindu gods and goddesses. Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort and the goddess of wealth, is respected and worshiped alongside Vishnu and other Vaishnavite gods and goddesses. The worship of Vishnu and other gods and goddesses in Vaishnavism is symbolic of the belief that all gods & goddesses are manifested within Vishnu.
Shrines dedicated to Vishnu are usually simple yet beautiful structures, adorned with images of Vishnu, his various forms and incarnations, as well as his various weapons. Popular offerings at shrines dedicated to Vishnu and his various forms and incarnations include flowers, incense, food and coins.
Vaishnavism is a major branch of Hinduism and is practiced by millions of Hindus around the world. The emphasis of Vaishnavism on the reverence and worship of Vishnu as the Supreme God is a reminder of the fact that, despite the diversity within Hinduism, Vishnu is seen by many Hindus as the ultimate divine being who is responsible for the maintenance and protection of the universe.
Shaivism
Shaivism is an ancient branch of Hinduism, which reveres and worships the god Shiva as the Supreme God. Followers of Shaivism believe Shiva to be the source of all life, the ultimate creator and destroyer and the divine being who makes all worldly judgements and transactions. Shiva is seen as the divine being who is both the formless, transcendent, and the manifested form of the universe.
Shaivism has a strong emphasis on rituals, mantras, and intense meditation as a way of connecting to the divine. Followers of Shaivism worship Shiva through rituals and offerings that are usually performed in sacred shrines that are often filled with images of Shiva, his consorts and other deities related to him. Popular offerings and rituals include sandalwood paste, flowers, fruit and incense.
Shaivism also emphasizes the importance of the Guru-Shishya tradition, which is an important part of the movements practice. It is believed to be the ultimate path towards connecting to Shiva and understanding the secrets of the universe. Shaiva Gurus are highlyrespected for their knowledge and ability to transcend mundane consciousness and achieve a state of liberation.
Shaivism also has a highly developed philosophy which includes the recognition of absolute truth, divine unity and the recognition of the three fundamental aspects of Shiva – Ardhanarishvara, Prakriti, and Shakti. These three aspects of Shiva are the basis of the Shaiva view on the unity of the material and spiritual realms of existence and the interrelatedness of all living beings.
It is believed that by following the path of Shaivism, one can gain insight into the mysteries of the universe. Knowledge of these mysteries is believed to provide one with liberation from the material plane and a deep understanding into the essence of Shiva, who is seen to be the Supreme God of all.
Smartism
Smartism is a branch of Hinduism that is focused on the worship of multiple gods and goddesses, while recognizing that the divine is without form and without limitation. Followers of Smartism believe that one can access the divine through a variety of different forms, including the five primary gods of Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha, Surya and Devi.
Smartism also recognizes that every god has a special role to play in the universe, and that to focus on one particular god would be to belittle the importance of others. This is why Smartism worships multiple gods and goddesses simultaneously, believing that this is the best way to access the divine.
Smartism has deep philosophical roots and is often referred to as “Adwaita Vedanta” or “Non-dualism”. It is rooted in the belief that the divine can take on any form or formlessness, and that all forms are part of the divine. It is based on the understanding that all gods and goddesses are facets of the same divine being, and that worshipping any one of them is not enough to access the divine.
Smartism is practiced by millions of Hindus around the world, who believe it to be the most effective way to access the divine and liberate oneself from the material plane. Worship and offerings to multiple gods and goddesses is an important part of Smartism, as it is believed that the proper reverence of multiple gods and goddesses opens the door to access the divine. Popular offerings and rituals include flowers, incense, food and coins.
Smartism is an important part of Hinduism and provides an additional perspective on divinity. It is a reminder that all forms of life, gods and goddesses alike, are pieces of the same divine being, and that to access the divine, one needs to recognize and embrace all of them.
Saktism
Saktism is an ancient form of Hinduism which reveres and worships the goddess Devi or Shakti. Sakta followers view the goddess Devi as being the source of all energy, power, creativity and strength in the universe. Devi is seen as the all-pervading force who, although without form, is present and active in all aspects of life.
Saktism venerates Devi in her many manifestations and forms such as Durga, Parvati, Kali, and Mahamaya. There are also many different symbols associated with Devi, all of which are intended to invoke her presence and power. Of these, the most popular and well-known is the trident, which is believed to represent the three aspects of Devi’s power: creation, preservation, and destruction.
Devotional practices and rituals which are connected to the worship of Devi are an important part of Saktism. Offerings and rituals are usually performed in shrines that are often decorated with images of Devi in her various forms and several symbols. Popular offerings and rituals involve flowers, incense, food, and coins.
Saktism is an integral part of Hinduism and is practiced by millions of Hindus all over the world. The fact that Devi is revered and worshipped in Saktism is a reminder of her central role in the harmony and balance of the universe, and her ability to bring light and knowledge to all of creation.
Tantra
Tantra is the branch of Hinduism which emphasizes rituals, mantras and yoga as a means of connecting to the divine. Through the practice of various ritual procedures, Tantrikas or practitioners of Tantra strive to control the senses, purify the body and mind, and ultimately achieve liberation from the material plane.
Tantra is a highly spiritual practice that emphasizes the importance of understanding the link between one’s body and the divine. The practice of Tantra is heavily based on symbols, mantras, and complex rituals that are designed to open the mind to the universal consciousness. It is comparable to a kind of spiritual pilgrimage, as practitioners must journey through the many layers of their own consciousness in order to access the divine.
Tantra is practiced by millions of Hindus around the world, and has its own dedicated shrines and symbols. Popular offerings and rituals include incense, food, flowers and coins. Followers of Tantra view Shiva and Shakti as part of the same divine being, and many of their rituals involve the worship of both gods simultaneously.
Tantra is an important part of Hinduism, and its teachings are seen to be applicable to all of one’s life. It is a reminder that there is an ultimate source of power and knowledge that transcends the material realm and that can be accessed through the practice of spiritual disciplines.
Conclusion
It is clear that Hinduism is an ancient and diverse religious tradition that has multiple branches and forms. Each branch has its own unique perspective on the divine and its own rituals, offerings and symbols. Each branch also reveres a different aspect of the divine, with some branches emphasizing the importance of particular gods and goddesses, while others view the divine as being a single, omnipotent, formless being.
Despite the diversity within Hinduism, the common thread between them all is a reverence and worship of the divine as the Supreme God, and a belief that one’s actions have an impact on the divine order of the universe. Through their worship and offerings they strive to connect to the divine, and ultimately to reach liberation from material concerns.
