Vaikuntha
Sign in to savethumb|300x300px|An illustration of Vaikuntha, presided over by Vishnu Vaikuntha (), also called Vishnuloka (), is the abode of Vishnu, the supreme deity in the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism, and his consort, Lakshmi, the supreme goddess of the sect.
Article
9 sectionsContents
- Literature
- Vedas
- Bhagavata Purana
- Narayana Upanishad
- Brihad Bhagavatamrita
- Tiruvaymoli
- See also
- References
- Bibliography
thumb|300x300px|An illustration of Vaikuntha, presided over by Vishnu Vaikuntha (), also called Vishnuloka (), is the abode of Vishnu, the supreme deity in the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism, and his consort, Lakshmi, the supreme goddess of the sect.
According to Ramanuja, Vaikuntha is the Parama Padam or Nitya Vibhuti, an "eternal heavenly realm", and is the "divine imperishable world that is God's abode". In Vaishnava literature, Vaikuntha is described as the highest realm above the fourteen lokas (worlds), and the place where the devotees of Vishnu go upon achieving liberation. It is guarded by the twin deities, Jaya and Vijaya, the dvarapalakas, or gatekeepers of Vaikuntha. The army of Vishnu, stationed at Vaikuntha, is led by Vishvaksena. The planets of Vaikuntha are described as being full of golden palaces and hanging gardens that grow fragrant fruits and flowers.