Sri Vaishnavism is a prominent Hindu philosophical tradition within Vaishnavism, centered on devotion to Vishnu and Narayana as the supreme deities. Founded as a systematic school by the philosopher-saint Ramanuja (trad. 1017–1137 CE; c. 1077–1157 CE by modern scholarly dating), this school adheres to the Vishishtadvaita (“qualified monism”) philosophy, which posits that the individual soul (jiva) and the material world are real but ultimately subordinate to Brahman, the divine reality. Sri Vaishnavism emphasizes bhakti (devotion) as a means of spiritual liberation (moksha), integrating metaphysics with devotional practices. Ramanuja's teachings synthesized earlier Vedic and Upanishadic concepts, establishing a systematic theological framework that remains influential in South India and among global Vaishnava communities.

Sri Vaishnavism is divided into two major denominations: the Tenkalai (southern school) and Vadakalai (northern school). Adherents of both schools are commonly known as Iyengars when referring to the Tamil Brahmin community that practices Sri Vaishnavism. The Tenkalai places greater emphasis on Tamil Prabandham devotional texts and the doctrine of unconditional surrender to Vishnu's grace, while the Vadakalai accords greater authority to Sanskrit Vedic traditions and the teachings of Vedanta Desika. Prominent temples include the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, one of the largest functional Hindu temples, and the Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, a major pilgrimage site.

Key texts include Ramanuja's commentaries on the Brahmasutras (Sri Bhasya), which expounds Vishishtadvaita, and the Vedartha Sangraha, a summary of Vedantic teachings. The Gopala Tapani Upanishad is also revered as an important Vaishnava text. Practices include temple worship, recitation of the Vishnu sahasranama (thousand names of Vishnu), and observance of festivals like Vaikunta Ekadashi, marking Vishnu's descent to earth. Devotees chant mantras such as the Ashtakshara (“Om Namo Narayanaya”) and Dvadasakshari (“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”).

Institutions like the Ahobila Mutt and Vanamalai Mutt play crucial roles in preserving and propagating Sri Vaishnava teachings, while the Parakala Mutt in Mysore is one of the foremost Vadakalai institutions, serving as the traditional seat of the royal gurus of Mysore. Major festivals include Thiruvadhirai in the month of Chithirai, celebrating Ramanuja's birth anniversary, and Jeya Vaibhavam, commemorating his return to Srirangam after exile. Adi Puram is celebrated as the birth of the Alvar poetess Andal.

The traditionalist sri-vaishnavism-viewpoint emphasizes strict adherence to Vedic scriptures and orthodox ritual practices as prescribed by Ramanuja. This perspective prioritizes textual authority and traditional interpretations of Vishishtadvaita, including the requirement of formal initiation (diksha) through an authorized acharya lineage, restriction of temple priestly functions to qualified Brahmin practitioners, and observance of Sanskrit liturgical forms alongside Tamil Prabandham texts. Traditionalists generally hold that the precise balance of Sanskrit and Tamil worship as established in the acharya lineages must be preserved without modification.

In contrast, the reformist sri-vaishnavism-viewpoint advocates for modern interpretations of Sri Vaishnava teachings, arguing that the tradition's own emphasis on unconditional surrender (prapatti) and universal divine grace implies that barriers of caste or birth should not restrict access to initiation, temple worship, or the acharya lineage. Reformists point to Ramanuja's own reported acceptance of devotees across caste lines and argue that restricting temple entry or priestly roles to specific communities contradicts the theological universalism at the core of Vishishtadvaita.

Additionally, some debates exist regarding the balance between ritual orthodoxy and devotional flexibility in Sri Vaishnavism — see sri-vaishnavism-orthodoxy-controversy.

* Ramanuja - History * vishishtadvaita-viewpoint * Vaishnavism * hindu-philosophy-debate

S.M. Srinivasa Chari, The Philosophy of Sri Ramunuja, 2nd ed. (Bombay: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 1985). A.G. Krishnaraj, Sri Ramanuja: His Life, Religion and Philosophy (Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Mutt, 2006).