What is Vaikuntha Loka?
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Questioner: Sanj
Private: no
Subject: Hindu Texts
Question: This pdf Hinduism describes an intriging analysis of bliss relating to the Upanishads- and has the word Vaikuntha in it- I can't seem to find it, where can I get it?My reply: Namaskar (greetings) Sanj,
If I understand you correctly you are looking for information on Vaikuntha?
Vaikuntha Loka (Planet or Plane of Being Vaikuntha) exists within the Spiritual Realms known as Nirguna Brahman. Vaikuntha is the top most of all such planets, the eternal abode of Sri Krsna (Sri Visnu). It is said that Mathura, India and especially the village of Vrndavana (where Sri Krsna spent his youth), are Vaikuntha Loka on earth.
You will find detailed descriptions of Vaikuntha Loka in the Vaisnava scriptures such as the Brahma Samhita, Bhagavata Purana (aka the Srimad Bhagavatam) and elsewhere.
Following is an article about Vaikuntha by Swami Sivananda. As you probably know, Hinduism is an incredibly diverse religion. Hindu teachers hold diverse views but this is a good general explanation by an acarya I deeply respect:
Lokas Or Planes: Vaikuntha Loka
By Sri Swami SivanandaIn Vaikuntha all persons dwell having the form of Vishnu and propitiate Him by means of Dharma which is not prompted by the desire of any fruit.
There dwells the glorious First Person who is beyond the range of words (who is to be known only by the Vedanta), who having associated Himself with the Sattva unmixed with Rajas, showers blessings on us, His devotees whom He would make happy.
There stands a garden called "The Highest Happiness" filled with trees that yield all that is desired and it shines like the embodiment of the final beatitude.
In that Vaikuntha Loka the Muktas that move about in Vimanas along with their consorts are indifferent to the perfumed breeze, though their mind is agitated by the fragrance of the Madhavi flowers (creepers) dripping with honey in the middle of water, and they always sing the Lord's deeds which cleanse the world of all sin.
In Vaikuntha, while the kingly bee hums as if singing the story of Hari, there comes for a moment a lull in the tumult of pigeons, cuckoos, cranes, the ruddy geese, Chatakas, swans, parrots, Tittiris and peacocks.
There the Mandara, the Kunda, the Kurava, the Utpala, the Champaka, the Arna, the Punnaga, the Naga, the Bakula, the Ambuja, and the Parijata, all these flowers endowed with fragrance as they are, regard very highly the Tapas of Tulasi when her fragrance is appreciated and valued by Hari who wears the garland of Tulasi as His ornament.
The Vaikuntha Loka is thronged with Vimanas of Vaidurya (cat's eyes), emerald and gold, which are visible only to those that bow at His feet; and there women of stout hips and smiling faces do not, by their maddening smiles and other arts, excite the passion of those Muktas who have given their hearts to Krishna.
There, in the abode of Hari, the faultless Goddess Lakshmi, in a beautiful form, with her arms freely suspended, with lotus-like feet resounding with anklets, appears by her image reflected on the crystal walls laced with gold, as if engaged in dusting the houses of Lakshmi whose grace is sought after by others (Brahma and all others).
There, in her own garden, and at all the wells of pure nectar-like waters surrounded by parapets of coral, while worshipping the Lord with Tulasi, Lakshmi saw her own face with beautiful looks and prominent nose reflected on the water and thought that it was kissed by the glorious Lord.
To the Vishnu-Loka do not go those, who listen to bad stories which spoil the mind, because they concern subjects other than the deeds (creation etc.) of Hari who shatters the sin of His devotees. The bad stories, which when heard by unfortunate men, deprive them of all merit and alas! throw them into hells of darkness where no relief is possible.
These are men, who deluded by the widespread Maya, do not perform the worship of this most gracious Lord, though they have attained this human life which is sought after even by us and in which it is possible to gain the knowledge of truth along with the practice of Dharma.
Thither go those men who are far above us and possessed of enviable virtue and character, men from whom Yama stands aloof, (or who have risen above Yama, Niyama and other restrictions), on whose body the hairs stand on end and from whose eyes tears flow, their mind and heart being overwhelmed by intense love in their mutual conversations about the Lord of delightful glories.
Vaikuntha, the one region worthy of praise in all the worlds, which is shining most splendid with its most beautiful and wonderful mansions of the gods and wise men and which is in short a region of divine nature, is occupied by the Father of the universe.
There are seven entrances to Vaikuntha. In each entrance there are two gods of the same age armed with Gada, beautifully adorned with invaluable Keyura, Kundala and Kireeta, who wear about their necks and between their four blue arms, Vanamala (the so-called wreath) about which swarm gladsome bees, and who appear to wear a face somewhat dark with anger from the bent brow, the prominent nose (wide nostrils) and red eyes.
As I explained above, Vaikuntha is the ultimate goal of those who serve God in the form of Lord Visnu/Krsna and even beyond (if anything is beyond this). It is the Abode of Ek Devata, the One Utterly Transcendent Divinity.
Vaikuntha Loka is viewed as both a literal and a figurative Reality depending on ones philosophical and religious beliefs. By meditating on this Glorious Realm, by worshiping its Chief Inhabitant, Ek Devata, one comes to Self Realization, God Consciousness, and ultimately to Liberation (mukta/moksa). This Path is presented in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita (the Glorious Song of God). You can read my translation of this wondrous Scripture at my Sri Jagannatha.com web domain. As Sri Krsna therein explains:
15:4-6: That abode should be sought out whence, having gone, one does not return but takes refuge in God - the primeval Person - from Whom all activities eternally originate.
Hope this helps,
Devoid of pride and delusion, having conquered the contamination of attachment, established in eternal individuality, having quenched all desires, liberated from the dualities of pleasure and suffering - one who is thus undeluded attains that imperishable abode.
That supreme abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun, the moon or fire. Those who go there do not return -- Source.~Jagannatha Prakasa
~John of AllFaith
Jai Jagannatha! |
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