The Distinctive Features of the Śrīvaiṣṇava Sampradāya

Abstract

This article explores the distinctive features of the Śrīvaiṣṇava Sampradāya, a historically and theologically influential Vaiṣṇava group in South India, which crystallized after the 11th-century preceptor Rāmānuja. The tradition is unique for its dual scriptural heritage, drawing authority from both Sanskrit Vedas and the Tamil songs of the āḻvārs (especially the Nālāyira Divya Prabandham). A central theological concept is the śarīra-śarīri bhāva, which posits the cosmos as the body and Viṣṇu as the soul, illustrating a nuanced non-duality. The article also highlights the crucial role of Śrī (Lakṣmī) as a mediator for salvation, though the community's two major sub-groups, Vaṭakalais and Teṉkalais, diverge on her salvific equality with Viṣṇu. It discusses the emphasis on divine grace (prasāda) for liberation, the importance of the guruparamparā (lineage of teachers), and the acceptance of Pāñcarātra texts, all contributing to the Śrīvaiṣṇava tradition's unique identity and its rich devotional and philosophical landscape.