Vaishnavism is one of the oldest and most prominent spiritual traditions within the vast heritage of Vedic culture. It is a devotional path centered on worship of Lord Vishnu and His various incarnations—most notably Lord Krishna, who is understood as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vaishnavism teaches that God is not an abstract or impersonal force, but a personal, all-attractive, and loving divine being with whom every soul has an eternal relationship.

At the core of Vaishnava philosophy is the understanding that every living entity is an eternal soul (atman), distinct from the temporary physical body. According to Vaishnavism, the soul’s true nature is to serve and love God. However, due to forgetfulness of this relationship, the soul becomes entangled in the material world, experiencing repeated birth, death, old age, and suffering. The purpose of spiritual life, therefore, is to reawaken the soul’s original God-consciousness.

Vaishnavism is firmly rooted in the Vedic scriptures, including the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Puranas. These sacred texts explain the nature of God, the soul, karma, time, and the process of liberation. Among these, the Bhagavad-gita stands as a foundational text, wherein Lord Krishna personally instructs humanity on the science of devotion (bhakti-yoga), emphasizing surrender, love, and faith as the highest spiritual principles.