Pancha Tattva (Vaishnavism)


Pancha Tattva in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism refers specifically to the Five aspects of God or Absolute Truth.

Background

In Gaudiya Vaishnavism these five features of God are believed to have incarnated on Earth as five people in the late 15th century, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda, Advaita Acharya, Gadadhara Pandit and Srivasa Thakur. They famously spread the Krishna mantra, and the practice of devotion of Krishna throughout India.

The Five Features

"I bow down to Lord Krishna, who appears as a supreme devotee, as His personal expansion, His devotee, and His energy, and who is the source of strength for the devotees."

Pancha Tattva mantra

Within the Gaudiya tradition a mantra formed from the names of the five members of the Pancha Tattva is often spoken or sung as a means of devotional worship or japa. Often this mantra is sung or chanted prior to the Krishna mantra. It is believed by followers to be the most merciful mantra available in this age of Kali.