NIMBARKA SAMPRADAYA Meaning and
Definition
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Nimbarka Sampradaya, also known as the Hamsa Sampradaya, is a Vaishnava tradition or school of thought within Hinduism. It is named after Nimbarka, a 12th-century philosopher and saint who founded this tradition. The Nimbarka Sampradaya holds Lord Krishna as its supreme deity, considering him to be the ultimate form of the divine.
The philosophy of Nimbarka Sampradaya is primarily based on the concepts of dvaitadvaita (dual non-dualism) and suddhadvaita (pure non-dualism). According to this tradition, the material world and individual souls are both distinct and non-distinct from God simultaneously. It believes that God is both the underlying essence of everything and also has a separate, divine form. This philosophy combines both the dualistic and non-dualistic aspects of Vedanta.
Nimbarka Sampradaya places great emphasis on the devotional aspect of worshiping God. It encourages spiritual practices like bhakti (devotion), prapatti (surrender), and seva (service) as the means to achieve spiritual salvation. The followers of this tradition engage in various devotional acts such as chanting the names of God, singing hymns, and performing rituals.
The Nimbarka Sampradaya has its followers mainly in northern parts of India, with several temples dedicated to Lord Krishna being important centers of worship. The tradition has also played a significant role in promoting the teachings of Vaishnavism and has contributed to the development of devotional literature, including commentaries on sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana.
Etymology of NIMBARKA SAMPRADAYA
The word "Nimbarka Sampradaya" has its etymology rooted in the founder of the Vaishnavite sect, Nimbarka Acharya. The word "Nimbarka" refers to Acharya Nimbarka, and "Sampradaya" translates to tradition or lineage.
Acharya Nimbarka, also known as Nimbarkacharya, was a prominent philosopher and scholar who established the Nimbarka Sampradaya or Nimbarka Vaishnavism. This tradition follows the teachings and philosophy of Acharya Nimbarka, whose main focus was on the worship of Radha and Krishna as the ultimate divine beings.
