Yuga Dharma - Opinions On Yuga Dharma

Opinions On Yuga Dharma

The current Yuga Dharma for this age is debated amongst the traditions of Hinduism. Within Gaudiya Vaishnavism the belief that the congegational dancing, singing and chanting (japa) of the Hare Krishan maha-mantra is the correct Yuga-dharma, based on quotations from their scriptures:

"This sixteen-name, thirty-two syllable mantra is the Maha-mantra in the Age of Kali by which all living beings can be delivered. One should never abandon chanting this mahamantra."—Ananta-samhita

For Sri Vaishnavism,the performance of Prappati or Saranagati through the ritual called Panca-Samskaram is the Yuga-dharma, according to the older scriptural text; the Vedas. The ritual initiates one into the protective and saving grace of Vishnu or Narayana. For Sri Vaishnavas, another important part of the yuga-dharma, because of Vedic traditions and scriptural references is the chanting of the eight syllable mantra, two sentence mantra of Narayana and the Vishnu sahasranama or thousand names of Vishnu. These three mantras constitute the original maha-mantras for Vaishnavas during the time of Ramanujacharya and before him. Another aspect of the Yuga-dharma for Sri Vaishnavas, which back by scripture, is surrender and devotion to Sri Venkateshwara or Balaji. According to various verses from the Puranas and other text; Lord Venkateshwara is the supreme form of Vishnu for the Kali Yuga.