Context:
Rahul Gandhi visited over 350-year-old Vaishnavite monastery in Assam
Sri Sri Auniati Satra Vaishnavite Monastery:
- Location – Assam
- Established in – 1653
- Famous for – Being a center of Assamese Vaishnavism
- Significance – One of the oldest Satras in the region.
- Play a crucial role in promoting traditional art forms like Bhaona and Gayan Bayan (musical performance)
Vaishnavism:
- A bhakti movement within Hinduism
- Features –
- Devotion to Vishnu
- Emphasis on moksha – The ultimate goal for many Vaishnavas is liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) and union with Vishnu.
- Variety of Sects –
- Srivaishnava Sect – Based on the teachings of Ramanuja.
- Pushtimarg Sect – Maintains pure nondualism according to Vallabhacharya’s teachings.
- Gaudiya Sect: Founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
- Other important proponents of Vaishnavism – Srimanta Sankaradeva, Surdas, Mirabai, Narasinh Mehta
- Alvars – Vaishnavites in South India
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs:
Historical person Known as
1. Aryadeva Jaina scholar
2. Dignaga Buddhist scholar
3. Nathamuni Vaishnava scholar
How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) None of the pairs
(b) Only one pair
(c) Only two pairs
(d) All three pairs
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Pair 1 is incorrect. Aryadeva is a Budhhist scholar.
