Pancha Tattva (Vaishnavism)

For other uses, see Pancha Tattva.

Pancha Tattva deities installed on a Vaishnava altar. From left to right (click on feet to go to article): Advaita Acharya, Nityananda, Chaitanya, Gadadhara Pandita, Srivasa.

Pancha Tattva (Devanagari: पञ्चतत्त्व; IAST: pañca-tattva, from Sanskrit pañca meaning "five" and tattva "truth" or "reality") in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism refers specifically to the Five aspects of God or Absolute Truth.

Background

In Gaudiya Vaishnavism these five features of God (Krishna) are believed to have incarnated on Earth as five people in the late 15th century, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda, Advaita Acharya, Gadadhara Pandit and Srivasa Thakur. They famously spread the Krishna mantra, and the practice of devotion (bhakti) of Krishna throughout India.

The Five Features

• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna Himself, The Supreme Person (Svayam Bhagavan).
• Nityananda is Krishna's first personal expansion with the combined power of Balarama
• Advaita Acharya is the combined power of Lord Vishnu & Lord Shiva (Harihara).
• Gadadhara is the combined power of Krishna's internal energy, as well Srimati Radharani herself.
• Srivasa is Krishna's pure devotee and symbolizes devotion.

"I bow down to Lord Krishna, who appears as a supreme devotee (Lord Chaitanya), as His personal expansion (Sri Nityananda), His acharya Sri Advaita), His devotee (Sri Srivasa), and His energy (Sri Gadadhara), and who is the source of strength for the devotees." (Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi 1.147.6)

Pancha Tattva mantra

Within the Gaudiya tradition a mantra formed from the names of the five members of the Pancha Tattva is often spoken or sung as a means of devotional worship or japa. Often this mantra is sung or chanted prior to the Krishna mantra. It is believed by followers to be the most merciful mantra available in this age of Kali.

śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda,

śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda

See also

• Bhakti Yoga
• Chaitanya Charitamrita
• Panchatattva (Tantra)
• Six Goswamis of Vrindavan
• Vaishnava

References

• Rosen, Steven J. Sri Pancha Tattva: The Five Features of God 1994 ISBN 0-9619763-7-3 Folk Books, New York