Vaikuṇṭha

Synonyms

Paramapada; Viṣṇuloka; Viṣṇupada

Definition

Vaikuṇṭha is the divine realm of God Viṣṇu. It is referred by names such as Viṣṇuloka, Paramapada, Viṣṇupada, etc. It is considered as equivalent to liberation in Vaiṣṇavism. All liberated souls enjoy the company of Viṣṇu in Vaikuṇṭha.

Introduction

Concept of loka can be found in Ṛgveda. The description of other world is found in Ṛgveda X.14 in a hymn addressed to Yama. There are also mentions about realms of different deities. Vasiṣṭha narrates his experience of visiting palace of Varuṇa in Ṛgveda VII.86. This can be treated as a germ of later developed concept of realms of different divinities which became popular in the time of Purāṇas.

Concept of heaven is found right from the Ṛgveda and the descriptions of Svarga has got elaborate treatment in later Purāṇas. Fourteen different realms including upper and lower regions are described in Mahāpurāṇas. All these realms are the effect of karmans as mentioned in Viṣṇu Purāṇa II.12.47 (y...