Lord Brahma (Sanskrit: ब्रह्मा, IAST: Brahmā)

Brahma (Sanskrit: ब्रह्मा, IAST: Brahmā) is the creator god in Hinduism. He is also known as Svayambhu (self-born) or the creative aspect of Vishnu, Vāgīśa (Lord of Speech), and the creator of the four Vedas, one from each of his mouths. Brahma is consort of Saraswati and he is the father of Four Kumaras, Narada, Daksha, Marichi and many more. Brahma is synonymous with the Vedic god Prajapati, he is also known as Vedanatha (god of Vedas), Gyaneshwar (god of Knowledge), Chaturmukha (having Four Faces) Svayambhu (self born), etc, as well as linked to Kama and Hiranyagarbha (the cosmic egg). He is more prominently mentioned in the post-Vedic Hindu epics and the mythologies in the Puranas. In the epics, he is conflated with Purusha. Although Brahma is part of the Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva Trimurti, ancient Hindu scriptures mention multiple other trinities of gods or goddesses which do not include Brahma.

According to Hinduism, Brahma is the creator of the entire cosmic universe. Although he is the creator, he is not worshipped in Hinduism. According to common lore, once Lord Brahma & Lord Vishnu wanted to find who is the best of the two and went to Lord Shiva to settle the argument. Lord Shiva advised the two that the first one to find the start and end of his celestial body would be considered the greatest. Lord Brahma & Lord Vishnu accepted the challenge and started their journey from the centre of Lord Shiva's body. Lord Brahma travelled towards Lord Shiva's head & Lord Vishnu travelled towards the feet. The two gods travelled for ages across the universe, but couldn't find the head or feet of Lord Shiva. On his journey, Lord Brahma came across an aloe vera flower falling from Lord Shiva's head. On querying the distance to Lord Shiva's head, the flower said it had been falling down from his head for eons. Lord Brahma thus realised that it was impossible to reach Shiva's head and decided to cheat. Lord Brahma asked the flower to testify that she had seen Lord Brahma reaching Lord Shiva's head. Lord Brahma went back to Shiva and informed him that he had visited his head (with a testimony from the flower), and requested he be declared as the greater of the two. As an eternal being, Shiva realised that Lord Brahma was not truthful and cursed him that he would not be worshipped by the gods or mortals. Lord Shiva also decreed that aloe vera flowers should never be used for Shiva puja.

Some alternative names for Brahma are:

• Vednatha

• Chaturmukha

• Prajapati

• Hiranyagarbha

• Vedagarbha

 The following is a list of several common Hindu terms. We also recommend that you read our article What Is Hinduism , as we have pronunciations of many of ...

A

Aalaya - Temple

Abhaya - Fearless; refuge

Abhishekam - Ceremonial cleansing of the Lord's idol

Acharya - One who shows the right path for others to follow; a preceptor

Adisesha - Primeval serpent mythologically conceived to bear the world on his 1000 hoods. Traditionally believed to support Lord Sri Venkateswara upon seven of his hoods, Narasimha on his coiled frame, Mallikarjuna on his twisted tail, and Srikalahastivara at the opening of his mouth.

Aditya - Sun God

Alankaram - Decoration

Alvar - Seer of a specific religious order in the Vaishnavaite Cult

Amrit - Nectar which when consumed, grants immortality

Angapradakshinam - A vow whereby pilgrims lie prostrate and roll around the temple

Ankurarpanam - The start of the Brahmotsavam festival

Alipiri - Starting point at the foot of the hills, for pilgrims who wish to reach Tirumala on foot

Annadanam - Distribution of free food

Annam - Food

Annamacharya/Annamayya - (1408-1503 AD); the earliest musician to compose songs in favour of Lord Sri Venkateswara

Appams - A sweet dish made of rice flour and offered to the Lord

Archaka - Priest

Archana - Worship of the Lord

Arjita Seva - Any seva for the performance of which pilgrims pay a fee

Ashta - Eight

Asthanam - Royal Court/Official Chamber of the King

Asva - Horse

Aushadha - Medicine

Avatara - A manifestation of God on Earth, with a specific mission.

B

BIRRD - Balaji Institute of Surgery, Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled

Bahumanam - Gift

Balaji - Another name for Lord Sri Venkateswara

Bhagaswamyam - Partnership

Bhakti - Devotion

Brahma - God of Creation

Brahmins - Hindu priests

C

Chakra - The sacred disc (weapon of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu)

Chakkera Pongal - Sweet dish made of sugar, milk and rice

Chandanam - Sandalwood

Chandra - Moon

Chaulam - Ear lobe-piercing ceremony

Cherupulu - Food offered to the Lord

Chinna - Small

Chitrannam - A rice preparation, rich in spices

Choultry - Guesthouse where accommodation is free of charge. Also called Dharmasala.

D

Daanam - Charitable offering

Dadhyodanam - Dish made of spiced rice and curd

Daiva - Divine

Dakshina - South; Offering money to the Lord

Dala - Leaf

Darsanam/Darshan - Viewing the idol of the Lord

Dasavataram - Ten incarnations of Sri Maha Vishnu

Deepam - Lamp

Devas - The Gods

Devasthanam - Abode of the Gods

Dhanya - Cereal

Dharma - Set of righteous principles to be followed

Dharmasala - Guesthouse where accommodation is free of charge. Also called Choultry.

Dhoti - Cloth tied around the waist like a sarong

Dhvajasthambham - A sacred pillar in front of the Sri Venkateswara temple

Dhyana Yoga - Meditation

Divya Ananda Nilaya Vimana - Dome of the abode of divine bliss

Divya Vimana - Divine dome

Dosa - Pancake made with rice flour, black gram flour and oil

Dupatta - Long scarf draped across the shoulders and worn with the salwar kameez.

Dvara gopura - Gateway with a sculpted tower above it

Dvara/Dvaram/Dwaram - Entrance; gateway

Dvarapalakas - Door-keepers

E

Ekangi - Celibate disciple of the Sri Vaishnava Jiyar Matham

Ekantam - Private

Ekanta Seva - Private service conducted for the Lord, to which pilgrims are not admitted

G

Gadha - Mace which is the sacred weapon of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu

Gajam - Elephant

Gangala - Brass vessel

Garbha griha - The sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Venkateswara Temple which houses the idol of the Lord

Garuda - A white-necked Brahmani Kite .He is considered the vehicle of Sri Maha Vishnu

Ghat - mountain. Also see Ghats (Eastern)

Ghats (Eastern) - Mountain range for a part of these ranges that runs along south-eastern India. Tirumala-Tirupati .

Gopuram - The sculpted upper crest of a temple

Gotram - The sect to which a devotee belongs

Grihastha - Donor

Gurkha - Security guard

Guru - Teacher

H

Hamsa - Swan

Harati - Waving a plate (in which a sacred flame is lit) in front of the Lord's image. Also called Nirajana

Harikatha - Musical rendering of divine stories

Hiranyakasipu - Demon King who tried to destroy the Earth

Hiranyaksa - Younger brother of Hiranyakasipu, who succeeded the latter as Demon King

Homam - Sacred fire

Hundi - Receptacle for depositing offerings (in cash and kind) for the Lord

I

Ishta Daivam - Favourite deity

J

Janaloka - One of the seven regions above the Earth

Japam - Sacred word that is chanted repeatedly

Jata - Twisted hair that hangs down in coils at the back of the Lord Sri Venkateswara's idol

Jeghanta - Cymbals

Jilebi - Spiral-shaped sweet dish made of flour and jaggery jelly

Jyeshtha - Name of a month in the Hindu calendar

K

Kainkaryam - Ritualistic offering to God or worship of God

Kali Yuga - The Dark Age

Kalpa - Age or aeon. Also called Yuga

Kalyana Katta - Place where devotees have their hair cut as an offering to the Lord

Kalyanam - Marriage

Kalyana Mandapam - Marriage Hall

Kalyanotsavam - Celebration of the divine marriage between Lord Sri Venkateswara and Sri Padmavathi Devi

Kankanam - Metal bracelet worn around the wrist

Kapila - Grey-coloured

Karma Yoga - deeds

Karpooram - Camphor

Kasturitilakam - Lineament of musk drawn on the Lord's forehead

Katika - Placed on the waist

Keertanas - devotional songs

Kiritam - Crown

Koil - Temple

Koluvu - Darbar

Kula Daivam - Family Deity

L

Laddu - Spherical-shaped sweet made of flour and jaggery/sugar

M

Madhura bhakti - Deep devotion

Maha - Great

Mahatmya/Mahatmyam - Greatness

Mahatva - Importance

Makara Kundalas - ornaments shaped like an alligator, that adorn the ears of the main idol of the Lord

Mandapam - structure or monument with rich sculpture meant for a specific purpose like performing fine arts

Mantra - Sacred word(s) to be chanted repeatedly

Mantrodaka - Sacred water

Matsya Avatara - Manifestation of Lord Vishnu as a fish

Muhurtam - Auspicious time

Mukhadvaram - Main entrance (door) at the front of the temple

Mukkoti - Three crore (merging of three crore teerthams in the Swami Pushkarini).

Mukti/Moksha - Liberation of the soul

Mulaberam - The central idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara

Murthi - Statue

Mutyam - Pearl

N

Nacchimars - The Lord's two consorts - Sridevi and Bhudevi

Naivedyam - Food offering

Namakarana- Naming ceremony

Namam - White caste-mark on the Lord's forehead

Narada - The supreme devotee of Lord Vishnu; a connoisseur of all arts; a devarishi (according to the Bhagavad Gita 10:26)

Narasimha - Lord Vishnu's manifestation, with the face of a lion and the body of a human

Narayana - Lord Sri Maha Vishnu

Nava - Nine

Nayaka - Leader

Nija - Real, Original

Niluvudopidi - Offering to the Lord, the clothes/ornaments that one is wearing when one visits the temple

Nirajana - See harati

Nivedana - Offer/present

O

Om - The sacred syllable

Om Sri Venkatesaya Namah - Saluting the Lord by reciting His name

P

Padmam - Lotus

Padmavathi - Consort of Lord Sri Venkateswara

Pallaki - Palanquin

Panchangam - Indian almanac

Panchanga Sravanam - Listening to the forecast as directed by the Sastras

Pandal - Canopy

Panyarams - Laddus. See Laddus.

Papam - Sin

Parinayam - Marriage

Parishad - Union of Scholars

Pataloka - The nether world

Pati - Husband

Patrika - Letter

Pavithra - Sacred

Payasam - Watery sweet made with milk, sugar, cardamom and cashewnuts

Periya Jiyar - Saint of the Sri Vaishnava Jiyar Matham

Periyatirdadi - The first devotee

Pinda Prasadam - Ceremony conducted in memory of the departed

Pitambaram - Yellow silk cloth

Pongal - Rice dish cooked with cereals and spices

Puja/Pooja - Ritualistic worship of God

Poojari - One who performs rituals, chants prayers and worships God as a representative of the devotee

Poolangi - Of flowers

Poorna - Complete, full

Pracharam - Spreading

Pradakshinam - Path for circumambulating the temple

Pradhana acharya purusha - Chief priest

Prahlada - Son of the Demon King Hiranyakasipu and a staunch devotee of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu

Prakaram - Wall surrounding the temple

Pralaya Kalpa - The Great Deluge

Prarthana - Prayer

Prasadam - Food offered first to the Lord and then distributed (as sacred) among devotees

Prasanna - Pleased

Pratima - Bronze icon

Pratyeka - Special

Pravachanam - Hymn sung in praise of the Lord

Prayoga - Ready for release

Pulihora - A rice dish made with tamarind/lime and spices.

Puranas - Ancient Hindu scriptures

Purohit - Priest

Purohit Sangam - An association of priests

Pushkarini - Sacred water tank

Pushpa Yagam - Vedic ritual involving offering of flowers to God.

Pushpam - Flower

R

Rakshasa - Demon

Rama Pattabhishekam - The coronation of Lord Rama

Ranganayaka - One of the manifestations of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. Also refers to the Deity at Sri Rangam.

Ratham - Chariot

Rishi - Sage

S

Sabha - Meeting;Group

Sadas - Meeting of intellectuals

Sahasra - Thousand

Sahasra Deepa - Thousand earthen lamps

Sakarabath - Sweetened rice

Salwar Kameez - Traditional Indian dress consisting of a loose knee-length top and a loose pant gathered at the ankles.

Samarpana - Offering

Samrakshana - Protection

Samsara Sagara - The ocean of Life

Sangam - Union

Sankalpam - Desire

Sankeertanas - Songs written in praise of the Lord

Sanku - The sacred conch of the Lord

Saranagati - To fall at a person's feet

Sari - traditional dress of Indian women

Sarovaram - Lake

Sarva - All

Sarvadarsanam - Viewing of the Deity for all; the time allotted for it.

Sastanga Danda Pramanam - prostrating before the Lord

Sastras - Various texts of ethical science dealing with code of conduct, morality, rituals etc.

Seera - Sweet dish

Seshachala - One of the famous seven hills of Tirupati believed to be the manifestation of the Snake God, Adisesha

Seshavahanam - Vehicle of the Lord (shaped like the Snake God Adisesha)

Seva - Service/Worship unto the Lord

Seven Hills - The seven hills of Lord Venkateswara's abode. They are Vrishabhadri, Garudadri, Seshadri, Anjanadri, Vedadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri; from Tirupati, the seven hills have to be crossed to reach Tirumala

Sikharam - Pinnacle

Simha - Lion

Sishya - Disciple

Sloka - Stanza

Smaraka - in memory of .

Soma - Moon

Somalatha - A plant whose juice intoxicates if drunk; plant offered to the sacred fire in Somayaga

Somayaji - The person who performs somayaga

Sopanamarga - Stairway (Stone footpath leading to Tirumala)

Sravanam - Season of rainfall (according to the Hindu calendar), usually in August

Sri Bhu Devi - Also called Sri Padmavathi Devi; one of the two consorts of Lord Sri Venkateswara, the other being Sri Lakshmi Devi

Sri Lakshmi Devi - Also called Sri Devi; one of the two consorts of Lord Sri Venkateswara, the other being Sri Bhu Devi

Sri Maha Vishnu - 'The Preserver' who is believed to have manifested Himself on Tirumala as Lord Sri Venkateswara, to save mankind in the Kali Yuga

Sri Venkatachala Mahatmya - The sacred text which extols the glory of Lord Venkaterswara and His abode.

Srinivasa - Lord Venkateswara

Srivaru - Lord Venkateswara

Sthala Mahathmya - The greatness of a place

Sudarsana - The sacred disc weapon of Lord Vishnu

Suddhi - Cleansing

Sukhasana - A Yogic pose

Suprabhatam - Auspicious time at dawn, when the Lord is woken and prayers chanted

Surya - Sun

Sveta - White

Sveta Varaha - The incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu as a fearsome white boar, to restore the Earth after the Great Deluge

Swami - God

T

Takeed - Receipt

Tatva - Substance

Tene - Honey

Thiru/Tiru - Respected, holy

Thirumanjanam - Fragrant powder prepared out of sandalwood and turmeric

Thomala Seva - Worship with garlands

Teertham - Holy water

Tirumala - Meaning 'the holy hill'; abode of Lord Sri Venkateswara situated atop the seven hills in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India

Tirumala Raya - a chieftain of the Araviti family, who renovated the Tirumala Raya Mandapam in the Sri Venkateswara temple

Tirupati - The sacred town of Lord Venkateswara at the foot of the seven hills in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh in India

Trimurthi - The holy trinity, comprising Lord Brahma, Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu

Tulabharam - Offering one's weight in coins to the Lord

U

Ubhaya Nacchiyars - The two consorts (Sri Devi and Bhu Devi) of the utsava murthi of Lord Sri Venkateswara.

Unjal - Cradle

Upanayanam -The ceremony of the investiture with the sacred thread

Utsava Murthi - Processional image of the Lord

Utsavam - Festival

Uttariyam - Garment for covering the shoulders or upper half of the body

Uyala Mandapam - Place where the Lord's idol is placed in a cradle and worshipped

V

Vada - Food item made of cereals and spices

Vaggeyakara - Composer

Vahana - The Lord's vehicle

Vaikuntam - Celestial abode of Sri Maha Vishnu

Vanabhivruddhi - Improvising gardens

Vanam - Garden; forest

Varada - boon

Varaha Kshetra - Place belonging to Varaha

Varahavatara/Varahaswami/Sveta Varaha - Incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu as a boar with a human body

Vasantam - The Spring season

Vasanthotsavam - A festival held in Spring

Vastram - Clothes

Vayu Deva - The God of Wind

Veda - That knowledge which is worth knowing

Vedic Mantras - Sacred hymns

Venkateswara - He who cleanses the sins of His devotees

Vigraham - Statue

Vimana/Vimanam - Dome

Vinjamara - Whisk

Visesha - Important

Vishnu - (Vyapana Seelanath Vishnuhu) That which is all-pervading; the Supreme Being who is the saviour of the universe; also see Sri Maha Vishnu

Vishvaksena - Chief commander of the Lord's army

Y

Yaga/Yagna - Vedic ritual in which various items are offered to God through a sacred fire

Yajnopavita - sacred thread worn by males of certain Hindu castes

Yuga - Aeon

Principles of Srivaishnavism

Srivaishnavism is a philosophy and a religion based on the Upanisads and the divine hymns of Alwars. This system of philosophy explains the nature of souls, matter and God and the relation between them in a rational manner based on testimony and prescribes two basic paths namely Bhakti and Prapatti to get liberation from the vicious cycle of birth and death and attaining the highest state bliss which is nothing but divine service to Sriman Narayana( in paramapada). Srivaishnavism lays equal emphasis on ethical religious way of life and performance of religious duties. It is this practical aspect that gives distinction to Vaishnava philosophy that is far more important than the philosophy!

This song composed by Narasimha Mehta (a Gujarati poet of 15th century) summarises practical Vaishnava values in an unique way :

He is a true Vaishnava who knows and feels another’s calamities as his own.

Ever ready to serve, he never boasts.

Keeping his thought, word and deed pure.

Blessed is the mother of such a person.

He treats women as he would treat his own mother

He keeps his mind calm and does not stain his lips with falsehood;

Nor does he touch another’s wealth.

No bonds of attachment can hold him.

Ever in tune with Rama-nama (name of God), within his body is present all places of piligrimage.

Free from greed and deceit, passion and anger,

This is a true Vaishnava

We can find the echo of such statements emphasizing the religious and ethical values in almost all the world religions. However, the distinctive feature of Vaishnava dharma lies in the fact that a Vaishnava believes in Vishnu, the Supreme Being who pervades the entire universe as enunciated in the Isavasya Upanisad - isa vasyam idam sarvam yatkincha jagatyam jagat. Hence, a Vaishnava should therefore love all beings and treat them as equal and hate none. He should live with the peace of mind and lead a humble pious life dedicating himself to the service of God and his devotees. Such a way of life will bring him not only happiness in this world but an everlasting bliss in the other world.

One of the essential requirements for a Vaishnava in order to lead a religious life is to have a well qualified Acharya or Guru. Even the most meritorious person and a sinner of the worst kind needs the guidance of an Acharya or preceptor. The inner meaning of the philosophical truths cannot be attained by just self study of Vedanta.. A special feature of Vaishnaivism is the emphasis on daily worship of the entire lineage of Acharyas starting from Narayana, the first Acharya (preceptor) to the present Acharya.

For one to be fully qualified as a Vaishnava, one has to undergo the five-fold sacrament, namely pancha-samskara.

The distinctions of caste, creed, learning and social status have no bearing on being a Vaishnava. Garuda purana explicitly states that a person who has the eight-fold bhakti in Vishnu should be honored, even if he is a mleccha or person who does not conform to Hindu ideals.

A devout Vaishnava performs certain prescribed daily duties meticulously with true devotion. These duties are :

1) abhigamana or morning prayers,

2) upadana or collection of materials for worship,

3) ijya or formal worship of God, 4) svadhyaya - recitation and study of scriptures,

5) yoga or contemplation on God.

There are certain easier religious practices such as the nine-fold bhakti mentioned in srimad-bhagavatam :

1) listening to the glory of Vishnu (sravana),

2) singing the glory of God (kirtana)

3) constantly remembering His greatness, (smarana)

4) service to God (padasevana),

5) offering worship to God’s image (archana),

6) prostrating before God(vandana),

7) developing feeling of subbordination to God (dasya),

8) developing friendly disposition to God (sakhya) and

9) surrendering oneself to God.

These practices do not require preparatory and purificatory activities except deep love for God.

A vaishnava has to fully realize that he (sesa) is absolutely dependent on God (sesin) and that his intrinsic duty is to serve God at all times (sarvakala) and all ways (sarvavastha). He should realize that he is a mere tool in the hands of God and do all actions not for his selfish purpose but with a spirit of providing pleasure to God. This is nishkama karma or self-less action and this is the height of renouncement of ego (ahankara) and the notion of mine (mamakara). A service done in this spirit removes one’s sins by earning the grace of God. Though any act can be taken as kainkarya or service to God, there are certain services mostly related to temple activities ranging from the simplest act of bringing flowers to the great task of construction of a temple to Sri-Hari. Some examples of kainkarya are : lighting lamps, waving fan to the diety, preparing and offering food to God, bringing water for worship, recitation of hymns and slokas, cleaning the floors of the temple etc. A true kainkarya is done not for monetary or social gain but as a source of divine pleasure to Sri-Hari.

Along with service to God, a true Vaishnava should serve Godly people or Bhagavatas. In fact service to His devotees is MORE IMPORTANT

Vedas : Vedas present an approach to universe and also relationship of man vis a vis universe.Vedic approach is that our planet is part of our universe and systems of universe have an influence on the life in our planet. Meditation and other activities emphasized in vedas is essentially to attract beneficial cosmic radiation's to our planet , which inturn help to form an environment conductive to healthy development of body and mind of human.

Vedic approach centres around " God or Parabrahman" who is responsible for creation, progress and destruction of the universe.Further he regulates every action of the universe.With the advent of cosmic and space research, this vedic approach is gaining recognition.Frank.J.Tipler, Prof. of Mathematical physics , in his book "The physics of immortality" discusses various theories of cosmology (omega point theory) and points out that the present observations are based on visible universe which is only a small fraction of the total universe.By defining the universe as the totality of all that exists (including the invisible portion of the universe), he points out the existence of a person / force/ source that is omnipresent (unlimited power) omnicent (knowing everything)and omnipresent (present everywhere).In this way he supports the vedic concept of God.

Vedic approach that time is cyclic in character , also finds scientific support.Vedic concept is that one " Chaturyuga " - comprising of " Kaliyuga " , " Dwaparayuga " , "Tretayuga " and "Satyayuga " -is the basic cycle on which wheel of time moves.( This is approximately 4.32 million human years ) . 1008 cycles of chaturyuga constitutes "One day " at the ultimate source of creation.This is referred to as " Kalpa " .The creation begins at the beginning of a Kalpa ( called Laya ) and there will be complete destruction at the end of "Kalpa" ( called Pralaya ).Creation and destruction are continuous process , not only in our planet but also in the entire universe.

Srivaishnavism :

Vedas are starting point of all Indian philosophies . Ramanuja has also based " Srivaishnavism" on vedic principles. Srivaishnavism is as old as veda itself ." Alwars" , Supreme devotees of Lord Vishnu , are foremost amongst the Srivaishnava teachers .They are overwhelmed by the desire for incessant communion with the lord.They remain immersed in singing the divine glories of the Lord.The songs composed and sung by them are known as "Divya Prabhandam " .There are in all 4000 songs all in Tamil. These songs bring out " Saranagathi " ( or surrender ) approach to god realization. These songs bring out the essence of Vedas and hence are also referred to as "Tamil Vedas".There are 12 Alwars who spread Vishnu Bhakti Cult and surrender.Ramanuja gave a scientific explanation of Srivaishnavism and hence has become synonymous with Vishishtadvaita.

God is the absolute reality , endowed with all auspicious and excellent attributes which are unsurpassable.He is the inner ruler of matter ( a non-sensuous thing or Achit ) as well as Souls or Atman ( a sensuous thing or Chit ).In the state of cosmic dissolution (Pralaya) which occurs at the end of a kalpa (cycles of four yugas), the matter and soul exist in a subtle state in Him possessing none of the qualities which make them objects of experience or cognizing subjects.From this subtle state , creation evolves by the will of God. Subtle matter ( Achit) develop into gross form and will be of 24 types such as "Prakriti " , etc.Mixture of the various types of Achit is our world and body of living things.Souls (Chit) expand their consciousness ,entering into connection with bodies appropriate to their past Karmas (Actions) and continue the cycle of births and deaths , known as "Sansara". Out of compassion for the souls , God also teaches vedas - a treatise discussing nature of souls, prakriti or nature, God or Paramatman, causes of samsara and ways to get out of samsara etc- through Brahma and a lineage of sages Srivaishnavism explains saranagathi approach to cross samsara.

Three realities :

Srivaishnavism recognizes three realities - namely Chit ( Sensuous objects) , Achit ( Non Sensuous objects ) and Eshwara ( God) .This is referred to as "Tatwa Thraya" . Achit is of 24 types , such as Prakriti , etc . Achit has no capacity to show itself .It is dependent on Chit for this purpose .Both Chit and Achit are subordinate to Eshwara. Saranagathi is the main process for "Moksha "- that is redeeming of Samsara.

Thus , according to Srivaishnavism , every individual in this world is an inseparable combination of Soul (Chit) , Prakriti ( Achit) and Eshwara ( Antaryami ). Every soul gets a body ( evolved out of prakriti ) in accordance with his Karmas. the soul and body are inseparable and interdependent in an individual. Eshwara ( Antaryami) resides in the body but does not take part in the worldly activities of the body .However , His help is available for the soul to cross the Samsara.

What should be baby name?

Rashi, Nakshtra, pads

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