Jaimini, Shankara, and the Alvars: Ramanuja’s Enduring Synthesis

Abstract

The article Jaimini, Shankara, and the Alvars: Ramanuja’s Enduring Synthesis by Jon Paul Sydnor examines how Ramanuja harmonizes three distinct streams of Indian thought—Jaimini’s ritualism, Shankara’s monism, and the Āḻvārs’ vernacular devotionalism. Sydnor demonstrates how Ramanuja’s Vishishtadvaita Vedānta elevates Tamil bhakti poetry to scriptural authority, unifying pluralism and oneness while preserving emotional intensity. This theological synthesis affirms personal devotion to Vishnu as both scripturally validated and spiritually complete.