The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c11.92

v1.c11.92

**Vaisnavism :** Unlike the two preceding forms of religion, Vaiṣṇavism has been intimately associated with Hinduism, and, indeed, has formed its chief feature from a very remote period of antiquity. In the absence of documentary evidence, it is impossible to prove satisfactorily that the name of Viṣṇu was known to the Aryans and revered by them in their primeval home in Central Asia, but there are reasons to suppose that it was, for it occurs in the Zoroastrian writings, showing that it had got into currency before the Indian and the Iranian branches of the Aryan race had parted from each other. In the earliest Veda, it appears perfectly well known, and in the later scriptures it occupies the most prominent position as an appellation of the Almighty. The Tantras and some of the Śaiva Purāṇas have, doubtless, given greater importance to Śiva and Durgā, but they have done so generally by identifying, or associating Viṣṇu with them, and not by denying the latter his supremacy. It should be added, however, that the cult of Viṣṇu has not been the same at all times, and the changes it has undergone at different times are so grave and radical, that it appears fundamentally different in its different forms. Its sects and sub-divisions are also very numerous. For purposes of history it may, however, be treated under five heads: 1st, Vaiṣṇavism of the Saṁhitās; 2nd, that of the Brāhmaṇas; 3rd, that of the time of Pāṇini and the Itihāsas; 4th, that of the Purāṇas; 5th, that of modern times.