Vaikuntha
According to Ramanuja, Vaikuntha is the Parama Padam or Nitya Vibhuti, an "eternal heavenly realm", and is the "divine imperishable world that is God's abode".
In Vaishnava literature, Vaikuntha is described as the highest realm above the fourteen lokas (worlds), and the place where the devotees of Vishnu go upon achieving liberation.
[7] The planets of Vaikuntha are described as being full of golden palaces and hanging gardens that grow fragrant fruits and flowers.
In most of the extant Puranas and Vaishnava traditions, Vaikuntha is located in the direction of the Makara rashi, which corresponds with the Capricorn constellation.
One version of the cosmology states that Vishnu's eye is present at the south celestial pole, from where he watches the cosmos.
[13] American Indologist Edwin Bryant, in his book from 2003, comments about the verses describing Vaikuntha in the text of Bhagavata Purana: In the Bhagavata, the text speaks of Vaikuntha, adorable to all the worlds (X.12.26), as the highest realm where Vishnu resides (XII.24.14).
This, too, is the highest region (IV.12.26); beyond the world of darkness and samsāra (the cycle of birth and death) (IV.24.29; X.88.25); the destination of those who have transcended the three Gunas even while they are still alive (XI.25.22); and beyond which there is no higher place (II.2.18, II.9.9).
The Narayana Upanishad mentions the abode:[15] pratyag ananda brahma purusam pranava svarupama kara u karo ma kara itita anekadha sam etad om itiyam uktva mucyate yogijanma samsara bandhanatom namo narayanayeti mantropasakahvaikuntha bhuvanam gamisyatitad idam pundarikam vijnanan ghanamtasmad taridabha matrambrahmanyo devakiputro brahmanyo madhusudanah brahmanyahpundarikakso brahmanyo visnur acyuta itisarva bhuta stham ekam narayanamkarana rupam akaranam param brahma om The syllable "om" is directly the Supreme Lord full of bliss.
One who worships the Lord with this mantra Om Namo Narayanaya will certainly go to the transcendental realm of vaikuntha, which is a lotus full of consciousness shining effulgently.
He is the cause of all causes, the supreme brahman.The Brihad Bhagavatamrita paints a picture of Vishnu's activities at Vaikuntha:[16] kadāpi tatropavaneṣu līlayā tathā lasantaṃ niciteṣu go-gaṇaiḥ |paśyāmy amuṃ karhy api pūrvavat sthitaṃ nijāsane sva-prabhuvac ca sarvathā || 112 || Sometimes the Lord would go to the gardens in Vaikuṇṭha where He would enact pastimes similar to those of Vraja, and I would see the gardens full of cows.
At that time, He would appear just like my Lord Gopāla in all respects.In the work of Nammalvar, Vaikuntha is referred to as Tirunatu (sacred land) in the Tamil literary tradition.
In Sri Vaishnava tradition, this abode is listed as the one hundred and eighth, and the last of the Divya Desams, the divine realms of Vishnu on earth and beyond.
[17] The verses of the Tiruvaymoli describe this abode as the following:[18] Even the unthinking clouds, by adorning and filling the sky, applaud the Srivaisnavas proceeding heavenwards.
(10.9.1) As some [residents of heaven) gave the fruit of their sacrifices, others worshipfully offered fragrance and lamps; some blew trumpets and conches.
Like a mother overjoyed at the sight of a long absent son, [the Lord’s consorts] are filled with love at seeing [the new arrivals] .
their greatest treasure, which is Sri Sathakopa, along with fragrant powder, large lamps, and other auspicious articles with which to honor them.
