Introduction to Sri Vaisnavism

[Jimano]

Sri Vaisnavism in Northern India

Ramanuja was not only a spiritual leader but also a social reformer who wanted to bring change in the social order. This was met with strong opposition during and after his time and still remains a dream in Tamilnadu.

However, the scenario in North India is different, in regard the 2 sub-sects of Sri Vaisnavism.

Ramananda Sampradaya

Ramananda a follower of Ramanuja, determination to ignore caste discrimintaion led to his break away from the followers of Ramanuja.

With 12 disciples he founded his own sect Ramanandi in Varanasi in the 14th century. He revoke the strict rule on Sanskrit and other caste discriminative practices. While in the South, Sanskrit replaced Tamil, in the North Ramananda replaced Sanskrit with Hindi, and accepted lay members regardless of castes, classes, and creeds.

He soon became a popular religious reformer and teacher. Among his prominent disciples were; Kabir, a Muslim weaver, Tulasi Das, author of Ramcharitmanas, a Hindi rendering of the Ramayana and Meera a lady saint.

The Ramananda Sampradaya currently has the largest number of renunciants (vairagis/sadhus) estimated to be 2 million. This sect is prevalent in Uttar Pradesh, Rajastan, Gujarat, and Nepal

Swami Narayan Sampradaya

Founded by Swami Sahajanand ( Swami Narayan ) in 1801, a follower of Ramananda sect, espousing Ramanuja's Visistadvaita Vedanta. A wealthy group, it is in the forefront of social, rehabilitation and missionary works.

Its followers are numerous in the Gujarati trading communities in Gujarat, Mumbai, and in East Africa, Great Britain and USA.

Tulasi das Hanuman Chalisa performed by members of Temple of Fine Arts - Kuala Lumpur