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There are six orthodox schools of Hindu Philosophy: Nyaya, Vaisesika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta. Of these, Vedanta has been the dominant school in India for the last several centuries. The school of Vedanta itself has several sub-schools. Of those, the Advaita Vedanta associated with Adi Samkaracarya (circa 650 C.E.) has the maximum number of adherents. It is followed by the Visistadvaita Vedanta and then, the Dvaita Vedanta of Madhvacarya. There are at least 6 other Vedantic schools having followers surviving to this day.
Visistadvaita Vedanta is very closely associated with Sri Ramanuja (1017-1137 C.E.) but in reality, it was founded by Sri Nathamuni at least a century before him. However, it was Sri Ramanuja who composed some of the most authoritative texts of this school, and gave its tenets a tangible form.
Like all other schools of Vedanta, the teachers of the Visistadvaita school claim that their interpretation of the triple cannon ('Prasthana Trayi') of Vedanta (viz. the Brahmasutras, Bhagavad Gita and the Upanisads) alone is faithful to the original texts. In particular, they vehemently oppose the interpretations of the followers of Advaita Vedanta. Visistadvaitins also lay more stress on the devotional theology of Hinduism vis a vis the Advaitins. Modern scholarly consensus is that the Visistadvaitic interpretation of the Prasthana Trayi is indeed closer to the import of the original texts in comparison with the Advaitic interpretation of the same.
The followers of Visistadvaita Vedanta also refer to their school as "Ubhaya Vedanta" (dual Vedanta). This is because they accept the Sanskrit Vedanta texts as well as the Tamil Vedanta texts as equally canonical and revealed. Followers of this school are found in large numbers in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. They also have a fair representation in major Vaisnava pilgrimage centers all over India. Since their school combines the teachings of the Prasthana Trayi with devotion to Lord Visnu and Laksmi Devi (Sri), who is ever united with Him, they are also called "Sri Vaisnavas."
This website is intended to serve as a resource page for all significant information regarding this important school of Hindu Philosophy. For the benefit of readers, we have compared the corresponding tenets of the Advaita and the Visistadvaita schools of Hindu Philosophy. We do not intend to replace the excellent books available on the subject, most of which are listed in the Bibliography. The website will be upgraded continuously. Suggestions and criticism from readers are most welcome and can be e-mailed to us directly.
In particular, a mention must be made of the following works that have been consulted extensively in the preparation of this website:
1. 'The Theology of Ramanuja' by John Braisted Carman
2. 'The Face of Truth' by Julius Lipner
3. 'Yamuna's Vedanta and Pancaratra' by George Neevel
4. Sri Bhasya of Ramanuja with Srutaprakasika of Sudarsana Suri
5. 'The Way and the Goal' by Vasudha Narayanan
6. 'Ramanuja's Vedarthasamgraha'- edited and translated by J. A. B. van Buitenen
Details on the institutions, writings and devotional hymns of the Sri Vaisnava community are available at the Sri Vaishnava Home Page. Readers are strongly advised to go to this website as well.
Acknowledgments are due to Dr. Vasudha Narayanan, Professor of Religion at the University of Florida (Gainesville), whose guidance helped in acquiring a correct understanding of Ubhaya Vedanta. Without her loving guidance, this website would not have been possible.We are also grateful to Sri Mani Varadarajan for his valuable suggestions and corrections.
Copyright (1999) Vishal Agarwal
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