The Ramayana in the Theology and Experience of the Srivaisnava Community

Abstract

This paper explores the theological and devotional importance of the Ramayana in the Srivaisnava tradition, focusing on two central elements: the Tamil devotional poetry of the Alvars (6th–9th centuries CE), revered as the Tamil Veda, and the interpretative works of the 13th-century theologian Periyavaccan Pillai. The Alvars' poetry exhibits deep familiarity with the Ramayana and often creatively inhabits the voices of its characters, offering a personalized, emotive engagement with epic narratives. Their verses include episodes both canonical and apocryphal—such as Brahma counting Ravana's heads on Vishnu's baby toes, the squirrel aiding in the bridge to Lanka, and Sita binding Rama with a jasmine garland—illustrating the fluidity and richness of devotional retelling. Periyavaccan Pillai’s commentaries and independent writings further elevate the Ramayana's role in Srivaisnava theology, emphasizing Rama’s divinity and the text’s spiritual efficacy. Through this dual lens of poetic experience and theological commentary, the article reveals how the Ramayana functions not only as a sacred text but as a dynamic, living presence within Srivaisnava religious life and thought.