Can you explain to me the differences between Vadakalai and Thenkalai sects?

[ratikala]

namaskaram @Chakra ji, @StarryNightshade ji


please if you wouldnt mind could you elaborate upon the position of Shri and Bhu Devi in relation to Visnu from both perspectives , ....

many thanks ., ...

 

[Aupmanyav]

What is Kaivalya and Prapatti?

Excellent question, Terese; and an equally excellent description from Google:

Kaivalya (कैवल्य), is the ultimate goal of Raja yoga and means "solitude", "detachment" or "isolation", a vriddhi-derivation (incremental) from 'kevala' - alone, isolated. It is the isolation of purusha from prakṛti, and subsequent liberation from rebirth.

"Saranagati or Prapatti (Sanskrit for "surrender", Aup adds: total, unconditional, without return), in the devotional school of Hindu denominations known as Vaishnavism, is the process of total surrender to God (Vishnu or Krishna). The process of Saranagati forms the basis of devotion to Godhead in the bhakti traditions within the Sri Sampradaya, founded by Ramanujacharya (1017–1137 CE) and the Gaudiya Sampradaya, founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1482–1533 CE). Ramanuja considered surrender to Visnu and His consort Lakshmi to be the highest goal of life, while Chaitanya emphasizes surrender to Krishna and his beloved Radha as supreme."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saranagati

 

[kalyan]

This entire difference is created by humans with vested interests. Pillai Lokacharya and Vedanta Desika disagreed on only 3 things, but people added more and more differences for some reason.

Its entirely possible....

 

[kalyan]

Kaivalya is a state where a jIva tries to attain Atma sakshatkaram or only tries to attain the eternal purest atma and there are practices tild by Sri Krushna in bhagawadgita in how to attain the atma....The first 6 chapters of BG is called atma shatkam. Attaing atma is very difficult than attaining Krushna because what is natural is always easy to attain, the real nature of jIva being subservient to paraatma Sri Krushna, so if he is getting attached to materialistic temporary things, jIva is forgetting his true nature!

The one who attains atma will also reach a permanent place because he desired for eternal atma....but this soul or jIva will be devoid of god Krushna and can never reach him. He will be sitting alone and enjoying himself, imagine sitting in a room full of mirrors all alone!..that is kaivalyam. .Ramanuja acharya and other acharyas in the lineage described it as highly dangerous and most feared state for there is no return..if one dies and after cremation or certain prescribed rituals are followed he may attain a different body atleast to have a chance to reach Vishnu but if one reaches kaivalyam he is all alone but free from cycles of birth and death.

Adiyen Chinna Jeeyar Swamy daasa

 

[Kirran]

"By non-attachment even to that [to siddhis: powers developed through meditation], the seed of bondage is destroyed and thus follows kaivalya (independence/liberation)."

That's from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. He talks of kaivalya as being the ultimate liberation from attachments, so I think one could say it is the state of attainment of moksha.

 

[Chakra]

namaskaram @Chakra ji, @StarryNightshade ji


please if you wouldnt mind could you elaborate upon the position of Shri and Bhu Devi in relation to Visnu from both perspectives , ....

many thanks ., ...

Both are very important in Shri Vaishnava sampradaya.

Vadakalai- Shri and Bhu devi have the power to grant moksha, so you can worship them to attain Shri Vaikuntham.

Thenkalai- Vishnu is the only one who can grant moksha, but it is not easy unless you have the blessings of Shri Devi. In Thenkalai, Lakshmi acts as a mediator between mortal and God. The Vadakalai don't have this special position for Lakshmi.

 

[StarryNightshade]

The Vadakalai don't have this special position for Lakshmi.

Not necessarily true. I think the fact that Vadakali believe she can also grant Moksha is a very special position.

Perspective, I suppose.

 

[Chakra]

Not necessarily true. I think the fact that Vadakali believe she can also grant Moksha is a very special position.

Perspective, I suppose.

That's true. What I meant was that the Vadakalai don't ascribe the specific position of a Mediator to Lakshmi, like the Thenkalai. Definitely, believing that Lakshmi can give moksha is a sign of great respect.