sampradaya | सम्प्रदाय

Disciplic lineage. All Vedic knowledge in the universe descends in the following four disciplic lineages:

1. Brahm Sampradaya - originating from Brahma as the original Jagadguru, and having Madhvacharya and Gauranga Mahaprabhu as the greatest masters of its lineage.
2. Rudra Sampradaya - originating from Lord Shiva as its Jagadguru, and having Vishnu Svamin and Vallabhacharya in its lineage.
3. Kumara Sampradaya - having the four Kumaras as the original Jagadgurus, and having Nimbarkacharya in its lineage.
4. Shri Sampradaya - originating from Lakshmi as its original Jagadguru, and having Ramanujacharya in its lineage.

Reference: Prema Rasa Madira - The Intoxicating Bliss of Divine Love, Vol. 3, Ch. 19

Neeharika's version

sampradaya (Devanagari: सम्प्रदाय ISO15919: sampradāya) means a group that follows a specific set of teachings. It is also called a sect.

Today, there are many well-known Sampradayas, such as the Gaudiya sampradaya, Shankara sampradaya, Shaiva sampradaya, Shakt sampradaya, Brahm Sampradaya etc. New Sampradayas may continue to form over time. Each one has its own beliefs, rituals, and deity.

According to Shri Maharaj Ji, there are only two eternal Sampradayas:

1. Shri Krishna Sampradaya – The path of devotion to God.
2. Maya Sampradaya – The path of material attachment.

This is because only three things are eternal: Brahm (God), Jiva (soul), and Maya (illusion). A Jiva (soul) can choose to follow either God (Brahm) or illusion of getting bliss from Maya.

Most of us are currently in Maya Sampradaya because we have been chasing worldly things. But with the guidance of Shri Maharaj Ji, we now seek to follow Shri Krishna Sampradaya and belong to God.