Sri Vaishnava Brahamans

About the Book In India, system of caste hierarchy is as old as is its civilization. The Brahmans, being the class of intellectuals, educationists and priests, occupy the most priviledged rank in the society. They have contributed a great deal to the pshychic build-up of Indian society. Embodying a large number communities, they have spreaded over of different parts of the country: Sri Vaishnava community is one of them.

In the Southern peninsula of India, Ramanuja founded the Srivaishnava school of Vaishnavism in the 11th century. His philosophy, Vilistadvaita, as well as the religious movements of the Srivaishnavas made a stir in the intellectuals of the then society. Consequently a large number of the Brahmans who originally were the followers of the Smarta tradition, took refuge under Srivaishnavism whose liturgy is guided by the codes of the Pañcaratras instead of the Smrtis. Not being regarded with great esteem by the Brahmans who conform to the Smrtis and from the major population of the caste, Sri Vaishnava Brahmans gradually developed an exclusive community of their own.

The present work has made for the first time a full-fledged survey of the origin and development of this particular community of the Brahmans as well as an authoritative exposition of their liturgical codes and an accurate account of their cultural life. It deals with: Vaishnavism of South India, Azhvars, Acharyas, life and teachings of Ramanuja, basic tenets of Visiṣṭādvaita philosophy, cardinal principles of Sri vaishnavism, schism in the school and emergence of the Tengalai and Vadagalai, daily observances of the Sri Vaishnava Brahmans, Archaka Sri Vaishnava Brahmans and principal rites and ceremonies. It contains some interesting illustrations. Besides being the study of an important Hindu sect, the work would be considered of great interest to the scholars of sociology and anthropology.

Preface This study of the Sri Vaishnava Brahmans aims at recording the customs of the people with which it deals as they are regarded within the community itself, the commu nity to which the author belongs and within which he has therefore spent his long life. Outside authorities may disagree with some of his conclusions. But the paper is intended not as a critical study so much as a record of traditions, customs and ceremonies as understood by those who adhere to them and as interpreted by one of their number who is also an anthropologist-Editor.

**Contents and Sample Pages**