Hinduism 6 (Lineages)

Lineages

Within the fold of Sanatana Dharma there are many lineages with many sub-lineages. It is
essential for any appreciation of the Hindu religion to grasp a basic understanding of the types
and roles of the various lineages, otherwise one becomes totally confused by the variety and
often contradictory doctrines. There are three major schools of Hindu (Vedanta) Philosophy:—

1. Non-dualism (Advaita)
2. Qualified Non-dualism (Visishta-advaita)
3. Dualism (Dvaita)

Non-dual Lineages

All the Non-dual lineages acknowledge the philosopher/theologian Shankaracharya as their
greatest representative. Shankaracharya who lived in the eighth century established four
pontifical seats and divided his disciples into 10 orders known collectively as the Dasa-namis
or ‘Monks of Ten-Names’ because of the titles which are given to the monks. Most of the modern
Yoga groups and Neo-Hindu organizations are affiliated to one of these branches.

Pontifical Seat Titles of the Monks
1. Sringeri Sarasvati, Bharati, Puri.
2. Dvarka (Sarada Math) Tirtha, Ashrama
3. Puri (Govardhana Math) Bana, Aranya
4. Badrinatha (Joshi Math) Giri, Parvata , Sagara

Smartas

The majority of orthodox Hindus fall into a loose category known as Smartas. They worship the Godhead in all its manifestations but usually choose one particular form as the subject of their personal devotion (ishtha deva). Their philosophy/theology is generally the Non-dualism of
Shankaracharya.

Qualified Non-dual and Dualistic Lineages.

These are the theistic schools which are subdivided into the Vaishnavas and the Saivas. The
Vaishnavas who comprise the majority of believers in the north of India, worship the Supreme
Godhead as Vishnu and the Saivas who are prominent in the South of India and Srilanka adore
Him as Siva.

Vaishnavas

Vaishnavas are again subdivided into five lineages named after their most outstanding
representatives.

(1) Nimbarkas,
(2) Madhvas,
(3) Vallabhas and
(4) Srivaishnavas (or Ramanujas) and
(5) the Chaitanyas.

All of these five lineages have numerous sub-sects, the largest of these lineages being the Srivaishnavas, followed by the Madhvas.

Saivas

There are six sects of Saivas known as

(1) Pashupata,
(2) Saiva- Siddhanta,
(3) Vira-saiva
(4)Kashmiri Saivism
(5) Siva Advaita and
(6) Siddha Siddhanta.

All these sects vary greatly in their customs, mores, traditions, dress and conduct. Their
philosophical/theological doctrines too, vary from absolute Impersonalism on the one hand to
intimate Personalism on the other, from henotheism through monotheism up to absolute
monism. The Vaishnavas and the Saivas are all uncompromising monotheists