Vaikuntha, aka: Vaikuṇṭha, Vaikuṃṭha, Vaikuṇṭhā; 12 Definition(s)

Introduction

Vaikuntha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Śāktism (Śākta philosophy)

Then the Bhagavān Viṣṇu built the Vaikuṇṭha city on the top of all the lokas or worlds to dwell with his consort Lakṣmī. Mahādeva, too, built the exceedingly beautiful Kailāśa and stayed there with his Bhūtas and played with them at his will. See the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa (chapter on the Devī-yajña).

context information

Śākta (शाक्त, shakta) or Śāktism (shaktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devī) is revered and worshipped. Śākta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Purāṇa

A Vaikuntha stone is of the hue of a jem on the hood of a serpent, of dark colour and bears one circular mark.

1a) Vaikuṇṭha (वैकुण्ठ).—A name of Hari.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa I. 15. 46.

1b) The abode of Viṣṇu, established by Him at the request of Śrī in his manifestation as Vaikuṇṭha: Famous for Naiśreyasa vana, filled with different trees and birds. It had seven enclosures into which sin had no free entrance. On the seventh were stationed two guardian deities. These once prevented Lakṣmī from entering in during the yoganidrā of Hari;¹ happiness (saubhāgya) of beings retired to, during the burning of the worlds.²

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 15. 13-27; 16. 27-30; VIII. 5. 5.
• 2) Matsya-purāṇa 60. 2; 245. 34; 285. 19.

1c) A manifestation of Hari born of Vaikuṇṭhā and Śubhra in Cākṣuṣa epoch. At the request of his spouse Śrī, Vaikuṇṭha (Heaven) came into existence in the Vaivasvata epoch, to the right of Śivaloka.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa VIII. 5. 4-6; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 3. 117; 32. 3; IV. 29. 136; 40. 9; Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 1. 41; V. 5. 21.

1d) The 22nd kalpa.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 290. 8.

1e) In the Cyavana āśrama of Gayā;¹ the abode of Viṣṇu.²

• 1) Vāyu-purāṇa 108. 74.
• 2) Ib. 24. 20; 109. 16.

1f) A class of gods,¹ Jayādevas, fourteen in number in the epochs of Raivata Manu and Svāyambhuva.²

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VIII. 5. 4; Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 1. 21.
• 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 36. 51 and 58; III. 3. 9, 58 and 67; 4. 31; Vāyu-purāṇa 66. 9; 67. 40-41.

2) Vaikuṇṭhā (वैकुण्ठा).—The mother of Vaikuṇṭha devas.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 67. 40.

context information

The Purāṇas (पुराण, purana) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahāpurāṇas total over 400,000 ślokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Kāvya (poetry)

Vaikuṇṭha (वैकुण्ठ) is the name of an important person (viz., an Ācārya or Kavi) mentioned in Rājaśekhara’s 10th-century Kāvyamīmāṃsā.—It is another name of Lord Viṣnu. Who is one of the sixty-four disciples of Śrikaṇṭha.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Vaikuṇṭha (वैकुण्ठ)—One of the several gaṭhas (bathing places) in the twelve forests on the banks of the Yamunā.

Vishnuloka is the home of the Supreme Lord Vishnu. It is the eternal abode of Narayana or Vishnu or Hari, his consort Lakshmi, and Shesha, upon whom they rest. In most of the extant Puranas, and Vaishnava traditions, Vaikuntham (Vishnuloka) is located in the direction of the Makara Rashi (Shravana Zodiac) which coincides with the Capricorn constellation. Vishnu's eye is supposed to be located at the South Celestial Pole as well.

Vaikuntha is known as Paramdhama where liberated souls dwell for eternity enjoying pure bliss and happiness in the company of God Narayana or Vishnu. Vaikuntha is beyond the periphery of the material universe and hence, cannot be perceived or measured by material science and logic.

etymology: Vaikuntha (Sanskrit वैकुंठ, vaikuṃṭha), Vaikuntha-loka, Brahmaloka-sanatana or Abode of Brahman, Brahmajyoti, Param Padam (‘supreme abode’), or Paramapadam.

Jīva Gosvāmī explains that Vaikuṇṭha cannot be attained by dualistic action, or in other words, by result-oriented action of any kind. This is to say that it cannot be attained by any method other than nondual devotion, which is not a method in the sense of generating any extraneous effect. It is immediate and direct centering of awareness in the nondual complete whole, facilitated through the agency of His own internal potency.

Vaikuṇṭha is attained by nondual devotion. Although nondual devotion makes use of the mind and physical senses, which is to say that it manifests through these agencies, it is not mental or physical action. This means that it is not dualistic action performed by an apparent isolated doer, through instruments (the mind and senses) that are distinct from the doer, and generating an effect that is again distinct from both the doer and its instruments. Nondual devotion, rather, is directly the potency of the nondual Absolute.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

vaikuṇṭha (वैकुंठ).—n m (S) The paradise of Visn̤u. It is stated by some to be in the Northern Ocean, by others, on the eastern peak of Mount Meru.

vaikuṇṭha (वैकुंठ).—n m The paradise of Vishnu.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Vaikuṇṭha (वैकुण्ठ).—a. Unassailable (durdharṣa); इन्द्रो वैकुण्ठोऽपराजिता सेनेति वा अहमेतमुपास (indro vaikuṇṭho'parājitā seneti vā ahametamupāsa) Bṛ. Up.2.1.6.

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Vaikuṇṭha (वैकुण्ठ).—1 An epithet of Viṣṇu; मन्दं जहास वैकुण्ठो मोहयन्निव मायया (mandaṃ jahāsa vaikuṇṭho mohayanniva māyayā) Bhāg.1.8.44.

2) Of Indra.

3) Holy basil.

-ṇṭham 1 The heaven of Viṣṇu; ततो वैकुण्ठमगमद्भास्वरं तमसः परम् (tato vaikuṇṭhamagamadbhāsvaraṃ tamasaḥ param) Bhāg.1.88.25.

2) Talc.

Derivable forms: vaikuṇṭhaḥ (वैकुण्ठः).

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