Sanaatana-dharma (a.k.a "Hinduism") refers to the eternal, nonsectarian spiritual tradition based on the Vedas, the timeless Sanskrit literatures containing all material and spiritual knowledge. Vedaanta is the study of the essence or final conclusions of the Vedas. Achintya Bheda Abheda Tattva ("philosophy of simultaneous, inconceivable oneness and difference") is the system of Vedaanta based on Shrii Vedavyaasa's own writings and revived by Shrii Chaitanya Mahaaprabhu in 16th century Bengal, previously known as Gauda-desha. Hence, Chaitanya's followers are known as Gaudiiya Vaishnavas. The Vedaanta philosophy is and always has been monotheistic and devotional in its outlook, stressing unalloyed devotion to Shrii-Shrii Raadha-Krishna, the Deities identified everywhere in the Vedas as the Supreme Lord's pleasure potency and the Supreme Lord, respectively.

ArAdhyo bhagavAn vrajesha-tanayas tad-dhAma vR^indAvanaM ramyA kAchid upAsanA vraja-vadhU-vargeNa yA kalpitA |
shrImad bhAgavataM purANaM amalaM prema-pum-artho mahAn shrI chaitanya mahAprabhor matam idaM tatrAdaro naH paraH ||

"Our worshipable Personality of Godhead is Vrajendra-nandana, the son of Nanda Mahaaraaja. Vrindaavana is His abode. The path conceived of by the gopiis is the topmost method of worship. Shriimad Bhaagavatam is the spotless Puraana. Love of Godhead is the superlative human achievement. This is the view of Shrii Chaitanya Mahaaprabhu, for which we have the highest respect and love." (Chaitanya-mata-manjusha 1.1.1 of Shriinaatha Chakravarti Prabhu)

This discussion group is intended for Hindus who wish to better understand Sanaatana-dharma, as well as those devotees of Lord Krishna who want to strengthen their understanding of Shrii Chaitanya's system of Vedaanta as it is received in paramparaa through Shriila A.C. Bhaktivedaanta Svaamii Prabhupaada.

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