Nature of Vaikuntha

The Nature of Vaikuṇṭha (heavenly realm) is described many times within the Puranic literature of India. The Shaivites have similar descriptions of their heavenly realm known as Kailasha or Shiva-loka, likewise the other sects all have their personal and charming descriptions of heavenly realms.

In addition to these sectarian heavens there are also many descriptions of the heavens (svarga) of the other gods such as Indra, Brahma, etc.

Many Vaishnavas take these as literal descriptions of the heavenly paradise of Vishnu to which the virtuous go after death to sport forever in the company of other Vaishnavas in the presence of Lord Vishnu in the form of Vaikuntha-natha. Let us now investigate the concept of Vaikuntha.

The exegetical format of Mĩmāṃsa methodology is called an Adhikaraṇa which comprises of a fivefold process

1. viṣaya vākya — the Scriptural sentence under discussion
2. samśaya — the doubt as to the correct and relevant meaning of the sentence
3. pūrva-pakṣa — the opposition's position
4. uttara-pakṣa — the refutation of the former position and presentation of the reasoned interpretation
5. nirṇaya — arguments for the conclusion reached