Another sect of the Brahmanical faith, Vaishnavism was popular with a large following all over the country. The Vedic god Vishnu was its principal deity and in an earlier period the creed was known as Bhagavatism, which developed from the gods Vasudev and Krishna.
Bhagavatism developed from the Upanishads in the region of the Mathura. It was based on the concept of Hari as the supreme god to whom rituals and sacrifices were of no concern. Bhakti or devotion to Hari was most important, and this was what the worshippers stressed on in Mathura.
It spread to different parts of India like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan by the beginning of the Christian era which is confirmed by inscriptions relating to the worship of Vasudeva in those places.
Kapalika cult they worshipped, besides Siva, goddesses Sitala and Kali. Cannibalism, animal sacrifices and cruel rites were performed. The Aghoris led a wandering life.
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Kanphata or Gorakhnathl:
The Kanphata or the Gorakhnath sect was propounded by Gorakhnath, a native of eastern Bengal. Gorakhnath synthesised the Pasupata teachings with those of tantrism and yoga. Attaining eternal union with Siva by means of yogic techniques is the ultimate aim of the sect.
The Kanphatas or Gorakhnathis are characterised by their split ears (Kanphata – ‘Kan’ means ear; and ‘phata’ means split). The yogis practise ritual copulation in graveyards and sometimes cannibalism. The nine nathas and 84 siddhas play an important part in the sect.
Suddhasaiva:
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The Suddhasaiva sect was expounded by Srikanta Sevacharya who upheld Ramanuja’s teachings. The sect is based on the vedantasara, which says liberation is attained by deep meditation on Siva, who is identified with Brahman-the self.
Virasaiva or Lingayat Cult
The Virasaiva, also called the Lingayat cult, was founded by Basava. The cult concentrated on the linga as the only true symbol of divinity. A model of the linga is presented to each Virasaiva devotee at the initiation for daily worship.
According to the Virasaivas, one can worship Siva directly without the aid of priests. The devotees are not cremated. The dead are buried in a sitting position facing north (unmarried people in a reclining position).
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Around the second century bc may the deities Narayana and Vishnu were united and regarded as one probably to check the spread of Buddhism. The Bhagavata cult which emerged was a part of Vaishnavism.
The Besnagar (Vidisa) Pillar inscription near Bhopal says that Heliodorus of Takshashila (Taxila), an envoy of the Indo-Greek king Amialcidus to the court of a Shunga ruler, was a follower of the Bhagavata cult and erected a pillar with Garuda, the vahana of Vishnu, at Besnagar in honour of Vasudeva.
In Tamilaham, Vishnu was worshipped in his avatar form as Rama and Balarama. The Sangam texts describe his attributes and qualities. The most respected avatar forms of Vishnu (incarnation) were Rama, Krishna and Balaram.
Other forms like Narasimha and Varaha were worshipped as well. Likewise, Vishnu’s vahana (the Garuda) and his astra (weapon) sudarshana chakra were venerated and worshipped as well.
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Pillars with such emblems were put up to mark the sacred places of the Vaishnavites. Vishnu’s consort, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth was also venerated and worshipped.
Many Vaishnava religious ideas are included in the epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.