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Significance of Alone

In Vaishnavism, the concept of Alone encompasses various interpretations, including the solitary journeys and experiences of figures like the Lord at Vaidyanatha, Kamsa confronting his challenges, and Krishna searching for His companions. It highlights an individual's unique encounters, such as Shri Gauracandra's arrival and Maheshvara's personal bliss while dancing alone. In Vedanta, Alone describes the independence of the sun, while in Dharmashastra, it refers to the caution against traveling alone for safety. Theravada emphasizes the virtue of being alone over the company of fools.1
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Synonyms: Solitary, Lonely, Isolated, Single

In Spanish: Solo; In Dutch: Alleen; In Finnish: Yksin; In German: Allein

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Alone'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, "Alone" signifies a state of solitude seen as preferable to the company of unwise individuals, emphasizing the importance of wise companionship for spiritual growth and clarity.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Dhammapada (translated from the Pali)

(1) The state of being without companionship, emphasized as preferable to being with a fool.[1]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]

(1) Being without company, indicating a solitary path of the bodhisattva, emphasizing self-reliance and the pursuit of enlightenment on their own.[2]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Hindu concept of 'Alone'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, "Alone" signifies solitude, emphasizing individuality in Shri Gauracandra's arrival, the sun's singularity, and Maheshvara's blissful dance, alongside various narratives depicting solitary journeys and the essence of personal experiences.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) Indicates the solitary manner in which Shri Gauracandra arrived, emphasizing individuality and possibly an aspect of the narrative.[3] (2) The specific requirement mentioned in the instruction indicating that Shrivasa Pandita should be brought without others.[4] (3) Experiencing a sense of solitude or isolation.[5] (4) Describes the state of the Lord going to Vaidyanatha without the association of others, as interpreted by the term ekeshvara.[6]

From: Garga Samhita (English)

(1) Describes Krishna's state while searching for His companions.[7] (2) referring to Kamsa's solitary journey to confront his challenges[8]

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) Refers to Maheshvara's state of dancing without company, highlighting the personal and intimate nature of his experience of bliss and love.[9]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu�).

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)

(1) Describes the state of the sun being solitary, without the need to engage in the daily cycle of behavior.[10]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) Describes traveling without any companions, which is advised against for safety and social reasons.[11]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.