Union Minister Visits Vallabhacharya Ashram

• 26 Aug 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the Union Home Minister offered prayers at Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya Ashram in Champaran town of Chhattisgarh’s Raipur district.

Key Points

• The Union Minister visited Chhattisgarh for security and development meetings in Naxalite-affected areas.
• Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya:
  • Vallabhacharya was a revered figure who had a deep command over the Vedas and Upanishads. He was known by the titles Vallabha and Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya.
  • He founded the philosophy of Shuddha Advaita or pure non-dualism. He also founded the Pushti sect of Vaishnavism, a Krishna-centric cult in the Braj region of India.
  • He also established the Jagadguru Acharya and the Guru of the Pushti Marg bhakti school after developing his own interpretation of the Vedanta philosophy.
  • He was born in the year 1479 AD in Champaran town of Chhattisgarh’s Raipur district.

Vedas and Upanishads

• Vedas:
  • There are four Vedas: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda. 
  • The word "Veda" comes from the root "vid," which means "spiritual knowledge" or "subject of knowledge". 
  • The Vedas were written by Vedic poets and seers called rishis, who used Sanskrit poetry to describe cosmic mysteries.
• Upanishads:
  • Also called Vedantas, these are the source of Indian philosophy and are usually counted at 108, though there are more than 200 known. 
  • The word "Upanishads" means "to sit down near (the teacher)," and teachers would often pass them down verbally to their students in the forest. 
  • The ten main Upanishads are Isha, Kena, Katha, Prashan, Mundaka, Mandukya, Tattiriya, Aitareya, Chhandogya, and Brihadaranyaka.