Significance of Piety
In the context of Vaishnavism, Piety encompasses various dimensions of religious devotion and moral integrity. It signifies qualities like being reverent, accumulating spiritual merit through good deeds, and maintaining moral righteousness, especially during practices linked to sacred sites like Govardhana Hill. Piety also emphasizes the importance of virtue in interactions with the divine, noting that while devotion does not always ensure divine favor, it plays a critical role in achieving spiritual insight. Overall, Piety represents a commitment to religious and moral principles central to spiritual life.
Synonyms: Devotion, Reverence, Holiness, Godliness, Religiousness, Faithfulness, Spirituality, Sanctity, Religiosity
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Piety'
In Buddhism, Piety signifies the fourth virtue, embodying sincere devotion and respect for one’s spiritual and moral responsibilities, highlighting the importance of honoring ethical commitments and spiritual practices in one's life.
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) The fourth virtue that reflects devotion and respect towards spiritual and moral obligations.[1]
Hindu concept of 'Piety'
Piety in Hinduism embodies moral righteousness, reverent devotion, and the pursuit of spiritual merit through good deeds and worship. It reflects a deep commitment to virtue, influencing one's perception of the divine, yet does not guarantee divine favor.
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) A quality of being religious or reverent, often associated with actions that reflect spiritual devotion.[2] (2) Spiritual merit or righteousness that one accumulates through good deeds, worship, and charitable actions.[3] (3) The quality of being religious or reverent, attributed to the act of seeing Govardhana Hill.[4] (4) A quality of being religiously devout or virtuous, highlighted in the context of the mud and dust associated with sacred sites.[5] (5) refers to the spiritual merit or religious devotion achieved through righteous actions such as bathing in sacred waters.[6]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A quality of being religiously inclined or virtuous, which alone does not guarantee divine favor.[7] (2) The state of being religious or reverent, which can be forfeited by those who become faithless.[8] (3) Religious devotion or moral righteousness, which the servants and maidservants of the Vaishnavas lacked, yet still attained mercy due to their association.[9] (4) A moral or virtuous quality that individuals may achieve when encountering the Lord from a limited perspective.[10] (5) A sense of moral and spiritual uprightness that can influence one's perception of divine reality, albeit without guaranteeing deeper understanding.[11]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) The adherence to virtue and moral principles that visitors abide by when engaging with the deity.[12] (2) A moral quality represented in the text that diminishes as one moves toward Kaliyuga.[13] (3) The virtue associated with adhering to righteousness and moral conduct, essential for the realization of the boon.[14] (4) Devoutness and reverence toward religious duties, often leading to actions that seek to please and honor deities.[15] (5) A state of being virtuous and morally upright, gained through various religious practices and good deeds.[16]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) Virtuous and religious conduct, especially in relation to performing good deeds.[17]
From: Padma Purana
(1) Devotion to religious duties and moral principles.[18]