The Sri Vaishnava Brahmins Bulletin of The Madras Government Museum

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Sri Vaishnava Brahmanas form an exclusive group, adopting certain customs based on their belief. They must have come into existence only after the time of the great reformer Ramanujacharya. A devout Sri Vaishnava Brahmana thinks that he should strive his best to obtain Moksha or Salvation and that this is possible only through an Acharya or a religous teacher. All Sri Vaishnavas believe and revere the Azhvars (Saints devoted to God Vishnu) and Acharyas as they reprsent the amsams (attributes) of God. Their great learning and plety is attributed to the presence of amsams of God in them. Thirumalisai Azhvar explains clearly the Vaishnava concept of God and His grace.

It should not be thought that Sri Vaishnavas alone worshipped Vishnu as a God. Smarta Brahmins (Saivite- those who think of Siva as the most important God) also adore Him as their God. The only difference between them is that the former recognise Vishnu as the only supreme deity and would not acknowledge any others, whereas the latter recognise the Trimurtis.

In this work the author Divan Bahadur K.Rangachari, late anthropological assistant of this Museum circa 1930 AD, has recorded the customs, ceremonies, traditions of the sect to which he belongs. This work is not intended as a critical study of the Sri Vaishnavas, but as interpreted by one of their members, to enlighten the tenets of this sect to the world.

This republication is intended to prevent the disappearance of excellent anthropological knowledge about this sect, which has played a key role in the political, social and religious life in South India.