A form of Hinduism within which Vishnu was worshipped as the principal deity is known as
A. A.Brahmanism.
B. B.Vaishnavism.
C. C.Shaivism.
D. D.Bhagavatism.
Answers
Answer:
A.HINDUISM
Explanation:
Vaishnavism is one of the major Hindu denominations along with Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. It is the largest Hindu denomination with 67.6% of Hindus being Vaishnav.[1] It is also called Vishnuism, its followers are called Vaishnavas or Vaishnavites, and it considers Vishnu as the Supreme Lord.[2][3] The tradition is notable for its avatar doctrine, wherein Vishnu is revered in one of many distinct incarnations. Rama, Krishna, Narayana, Kalki, Hari, Vithoba, Kesava, Madhava, Govinda, Srinathji and Jagannath are among the names of popular avatars all seen as different aspects of the same supreme being.[4][5][6] Vaishnavism emerged as a fusion of various regional non-Vedic religions, which were aligned with the trans-regional Brahminical tradition. It has 1st millennium BCE Vedic roots in the Vedic deity Bhaga, who gave rise to Bhagavatism,[7][8] and in the Vedic water deity Nara c.q. Narayana.[9] Non-Vedic roots are found in a merger of several popular non-Vedic theistic traditions, which developed in the 7th to 4th century BCE.[10][11] The deified heroes Vāsudeva and Krishna[11][12] merged with the non-Vedic cult of Gopala-Krishna.[11][13] This "Greater Krsnaism" then adopted the Rigvedic Vishnu as Supreme deity to increase its appeal towards orthodox elements, resulting in Vaishnavism.[11][14][15]
Later developments led by Ramananda created a Rama-oriented movement, now the largest monastic group in Asia.[16][17] The Vaishnava tradition has many sampradayas (denominations, sub-schools) ranging from the medieval era Dvaita school of Madhvacharya to Vishishtadvaita school of Ramanuja.[18][19]
The Vaishnavite tradition is known for the loving devotion to an avatar of Vishnu (often Krishna), and as such has been key to the spread of the Bhakti movement in South Asia in the 2nd millennium CE.[20][21] Key texts in Vaishnavism include the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Pancaratra (Agama) texts, Naalayira Divya Prabhandham and the Bhagavata Purana.[22][23][24][25]
