User:Wikidas/Svayam bhagavan
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Svayam bhagavan (svayam bhagavān in IAST) is a Sanskrit term that refers to the absolute representation of God/Bhagavan (in the monotheistic sense), within the Hindu religion. It is often used to refer to Krishna, since certain Sampradayas of Vaishnavism consider him to be the source of all incarnations, and the source of Vishnu himself, or to be the same as Narayana. As such, he is therefore regarded as Svayam bhagavan.[1][2][3] The term has also been used to refer to other forms of Krishna and/or Vishnu within the context of certain religious texts such as the Bhagavata Purana, and also within other sects of Vaishnavism.
- This is a private copy of the article about a Hindu philosophical concept: the original or absolute manifestation of God. For other meanings, see: Krishna (disambiguation) and Bhagavan (disambiguation).
Though Krishna is recognized as Svayam bhagavam by many, he is also perceived and understood from an eclectic assortment of perspectives and viewpoints. [4] When Krishna is recognized to be Svayam bhagavan, it can be understood that this is the belief of Gaudiya Vaishnavism,[5] the Vallabha Sampradaya,[6] and the Nimbarka Sampradaya, where Krishna is accepted to be the source of all other avatars, and the source of Vishnu himself. This belief is primerly supported by a verse 1.3.28 of the Bhagavata Purana:[7]
"All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Sri Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead"
Another distinguishing feature of the Vaishnava teachings, is that God (whether it be Krishna and/or Vishnu) "is a real person and His variegated creation is also real". [8]