Sri Sampradaya
Sri Sampradaya or Sri Vaishnavism is a Vaishnava sect within Hinduism. Its origin and codification is generally traced back to Sri, Mahalakshmi eternal consort of Lord Vishnu. Around the 10th century when a collection of the devotional hymns and songs by Alvars was organized by Sri Nathamuni, who is considered to be one of the pioneers of the sect.[1]Nathamuni appeared as the pioneer who wrote Sanskrit works systematizing the Sri Vaishnava theology, largely in debate with Gauttama philosophy of Buddhism. He was followed by Yamunacharya a celebrated grand-teacher of Ramanujacharya.[2] Alavandar, like Ramanuja, focused both on philosophical debates like dvaita vs. advaita and bhakti prayers and the works attributed to him are in Sanskrit although he codified the heritage of the Tamil alvars. Works attributed to him are In this tradition Vishnu is believed to be the source of all avatars. Vishnu is the name of God in the whole Vaishnavism and he is also known as Narayana, Vasudeva and Krishna and behind each of those names is a divine figure with attributed supremacy in Vaishnavism and each associated tradition believed to be distinct historically.[3] The Iyengar brahmins are followers of Ramanuja sampradaya, and two sects, namely Vadakalai and Thenkalai exist among them.[4]
Sri Vaishnavism is a sub-denomination of Vaishnavism and a philosophical system of thought culminating in the philosophy of Visishtadvaita espoused by Ramanujacharya.[5]Followers of Sri Vaishnavism, as Vaishnavas, generally worship Vishnu as the supreme God.[6]
Origin
Earlier sources do not mention Sri, the consort of Vishnu. Sri becomes part of Vishnuism at a later stage and apparently Sri was worshiped independently before her cult was integrated into Vaishnavism. Now she is considered inseparable from Vishnu, who carries the mark of sri-vasa, ineradicably representing Sri, his consort. In later Gaudiya traditions she is identified with Radha.[7] The prefix Sri is used for this sect because they give special importance to the worship of the Goddess Lakshmi,the consort of Vishnu, who they believe to act as a mediator between God and man.[6] A major portion of Sri Vaishnava theology is based upon this tenet.[6]
Subsects
Among the Iyengar brahmins following Sri Vaishnavism, there are two sects, namelyVadakalai and Tenkalai.[4] It is widely believed that the two sects are distinctly different in origin.[8][9][10] But some believe the two subsects to have originated in the 14th century AD following a split in the Iyengar community.[11]
§ The Vadakalai Iyengar community (Uttara Kalārya ,Sanskrit: उत्तर कलार्य)[12] ardently follows the Sanskrit Vedas,[13] and the set of of rules prescribed by the Manusmriti andDharma Shastras.[14][15] The sect is based on the Sankritic tradition,[16] and follows - Ramanuja and Vedanta Desika.[11][17][18] The Vadakalai Iyengars are believed to be anIndo-Aryan people who once migrated from North India.[19][20][21] In a genetic study, all individuals examined among Vadakalai Iyengars showed a high similarity of gene frequency with the people of Faislabad in the Punjab province.[22] The Vadakalai community believes in the caste system,[13] and championed the cause of purity of thevedic tenets.[23] Traditionally, the Vadakalais believe in practising Karma yoga, Jnana yoga and Bhakti yoga, along with Prapatti, as means to attain salvation.[24][25] Also, they consider Prapatti as an act of winning grace.[26] The various Vadaklai monasteries are - Ahobila Mutt, Parakala Mutt, Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam and Poundarikapuram Andavan Ashramam.[10][27][28]
§ The Thenkalai Iyengar community (Tamil: தென்னாசாரிய சம்பிரதாயம்)[29]follows the Tamil Prabandhams,[13] and asserts primacy to rituals in Tamil language.[30]They are followers of Ramanuja, Pillailokacharya and Manavala Mamuni.[31][32]According to genetic studies, the Thenkalai gene frequencies are distinctly different from that of the Vadakalais.[33] The Thenkalais reject the caste system.[13] The Thenkalai society has also accepted a significant proportion of the non-Brahmin population into its fold.[34][35][36][37] The sect seems to be liberal in its outlook, and so shapes the doctrine of the system as to make them applicable to non-Brahmin castes.[38] Traditionally, Thenkalai accept Prapatti as the only means to attain salvation.[39] They consider Prapatti as an unconditional surrender.[40] The various Thenkalai monasteries are - Vanamamalai mutt and Sriperumdur mutt in Kanchipuram district and Tirukkoilur mutt in Viluppuram district.[10]
Sri Vaishnava Thiruman
Caste marks of the Iyengar brahmins. In the image - adakali(left) and Thenkalai(right) tilakas.
The Sri Vaishnavas wear the holy mark thiruman also known as Sricharanam on their forehead. Sri Vaishnavas generally wear two kinds of Thiruman marks known as Vadakalai Thiruman and Thenkalai Thiruman. The Vadakalai being more or less 'U' in shape and Thenkalai being 'Y' in shape. The Thiruman is known as Thiruman Kappu as it protects the one who is wearing it on the Forehead. So it is known as Thiruman Kappu - The Tamil word 'Kappu' means 'Protection'. The White color signifies the Almighty God-Head "Sriman Narayana" and the Red mark signifies His Divine Consort, the Mother of Entire Creation "Sri Mahalakshmi known as Thayar".
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