Viÿva-näflha (‘universal Lord’)
A title of Ÿiva and name of the most
famous of the temples in VÄRÄŒASÏ, of
which Ÿiva is patron deity.Viÿva-nätha Cakra-varttin
(1664–1754)
One of the most prolific scholarly expo-
nents of GAU¥ÏYA VAIÆŒAVISM and
author of numerous commentaries on
major works by Rüpa and Jïva
Gosvämi, as well as of dramas and plays
with Caitanyite plots. Among his best-
known works are Sarärtha Darÿinï, a
commentary on the Bhägavatam, a
Gïtäbhä•ya, Bhaktirasamøtasindhu-
binduand Ujjvalanïlämanikiraæa, short
summaries of the two main works of
RÜPAGOSVÄMI.viÿva-rüpa (‘all forms’)
A title of Vi•æu, the form in which
ARJUNAbeheld KØÆŒAin the eleventh
chapter of the Bhagavadgïtä.Viflflhobä, alsoViflflal
A Mahärä•flrian form of the name of
Vi•æu. His sanctuary is in PAŒ¥HARPUR.vivaha
See MARRIAGE.viveka (‘discrimination’)
Discrimination between what is self,
eternal, and what is non-self, transient.
It is one of the preconditions as well as
the means for liberation from SAßSÄRA.Viveka-cüõä-maæi
(‘crest jewel of discrimination’)
A famous short work, ascribed to
ŸANKARA (2), teaching how to gain
LIBERATIONthrough VIVEKA.Vivekänanda, Swami
(1863–1902)
The monastic name of Narendra NathDutt, a disciple of RAMAKRISHNA
‘PARAMAHAMSA’ and founder of the
Ramakrishna Mission. He was sent by
the räja of Rämnäd as Hindu delegate
to the World Parliament of Religions in
Chicago in 1893 and impressed the
West by his forceful reinterpretation of
Vedänta and his practical plans for the
upliftment of India. He founded
ashrams in India, which became centres
for spiritual and material support, and
established Vedänta societies in
America and England, to propagate
Indian spirituality in the West. He also
became one of the proponents of Hindu
nationalism and is one of the most cele-
brated figures of the Hindu renaissance.vrata (‘vow’)
A voluntary religious practice, taken up
by individuals in fulfilment of certain
promises made. They usually consist of
particular fasts, pilgrimages or repeti-
tions of prayer formulas to gain healing
for a sick family member or friend,
obtain help in difficult situations, or to
give thanks for divine support received.
They are an important aspect of popu-
lar Hinduism.Vrätyas
A heretical group. There is much con-
troversy about the identity of the
Vrätyas. Some claim they were non-
Äryan immigrants from the Middle
East, others think they were lapsed
high-caste Äryans, while some (associat-
ing the name with the term vrata, ‘vow’)
consider them to be a ‘people who took
a vow’, religious mendicants who
adopted a particular lifestyle.Vøndävana, alsoVøndäban,
Vrindaban, Brindaban
(‘Vønda forest’)
One of the most popular Hindu pil-
grimage centres, in western Uttar
Pradesh, near Mathurä, associated withViÿva-näflha 206Encyclo - Letter V 10/2/03 10:03 am Page 206