Materials for the Study of the Early History of the Vaishnava Sect c8.2

c8.2

Vaishṇavism is the name given to the Bhakti ¹ religion which recognises Vishṇu, also called Bhagavat (the Blessed One), Purushottama (the Supreme Person), Nārāyaṇa, Hari as the sole God. He is defined as the Unborn (Aja), and the Eternal (Śāśvata). He is the Creator (Dhātā), the embodiment of Immortality (Amṛitam), the Father and the Mother and the Eternal Preceptor of the universe :—