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I guess a sect (सम्प्रदाय ) is one that only subscribes to a subset of Hindu beliefs and/or worships only a subset of Hindu gods. Is there anything in scriptures about this? What is the etymology of the word SampradAye (सम्प्रदाय)?

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ
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S K
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    I have edited your question. Revert it if unacceptable. Btw, there is nothing wrong with sectarianism unless you are follower of Rajneesh or Krishnamurthy. :) – ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Apr 03 '18 at 16:05
  • astoundingly, wiki gives a decent defition: "In Hinduism, a sampradaya ( Sanskrit : सम्प्रदाय IAST sampradāya) can be translated as ‘tradition’ , 'spiritual lineage' or a ‘religious system’.[1][note 1] It relates to a succession of masters and disciples, which serves as a spiritual channel, and provides a delicate network of relationships that lends stability to a religious identity.[1]" – S K Apr 03 '18 at 16:16
  • I am not sure what's wrong with the downvoters.. what is sampradaya as per scriptures is definitely a valid Q.. – Rickross Apr 03 '18 at 17:13
  • related https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/6712/what-is-the-role-of-sect-in-hinduism?rq=1 – zaxebo1 Apr 04 '18 at 13:31

2 Answers2

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Yes there is. Srimad Bhagavatam explains the reason for differences between sects.

Explanation of different interpretations

Just as one object with various attributes is seen differently through the different senses (say, a flower fragrant to the nose, soft to the touch, and beautiful to the eye), - even so that one Bhagavan is viewed and interpreted differently by different philosophies and scriptural writings in the light of their particular traditions. (He is one and the same, but each religion or philosophy seeks to interpret Him in consonance with its own tradition and concepts.)

Srimad Bhagavata Purana, translated by Swami Tapasyananda, III.32.33

Pradip Gangopadhyay
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Blockquote

Etymology: sampradAya = sam + pra + dAya "a bestower, a presenter".

  • sam: "(together) with"
  • pra: "forth"
  • dAya: derived from root dA "to give, to present, to offer" dAya = absolutive II

All lexical meanings are from

http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/monier/

Jo Wehler
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    sam is used to denote samyak (complete/comprehensive) and pra to indicate prakRSTa(elevated/noble/sublime). dAya= that which is given/handed down. –  Apr 04 '18 at 08:12
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    Notes based on edit to the OP- 1. vigraha is a linguistic feature in Sanskrit that is often used to explain the full meanings of words. A simplistic splitting of syllables is often insufficient. 2. A bestower or presenter is a dAta not a dAya. So the breakup of the word given in the answer is incorrect. –  Apr 04 '18 at 09:03
  • Please check Monier-Williams; what about his translation? – Jo Wehler Apr 04 '18 at 09:52
  • Checked. 1. The meanings I gave align with the meanings suggested in the lexicon for sam. 2. dAya is translated as present and not giver even by Monier-Williams.3. As for pra, there are multiple meanings and the right one has to be picked up based on context and this is where padacchEda, padArtha and vigraha concepts come into the picture. So in this context the meanings of "great", "very, excessive" must be taken. –  Apr 04 '18 at 12:54
  • I added a clip from Monier-Williams. – Jo Wehler Apr 04 '18 at 14:43
  • As stated before, they don't apply due to the rules of vigraha. Those more knowledgeable in Sanskrit can chime in here for a better perspective. –  Apr 04 '18 at 15:16
  • I agree with @moonstar here, the breakup of the word given in the answer is incorrect. – Just_Do_It Apr 04 '18 at 15:46