In the southern peninsula of India, Ramanuja founded the Srivaishnava school of Vaishnavism in the 11th century. His philosophy, Visistadvaita, 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 Smriti tradition, took refuge under Srivaishnavism whose liturgy is guided by the codes of the Pancaratras instead of the Smritis. Sri Vaishnava Brahmans gradually developed into 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. Besides being the study of an important Hindu sect, the work would be considered of great interest to the scholars of sociology and anthropology.
About the Author
K. Rangachari
Table of Contents
Preface Introductory Vishnu Worship Vaishnavism of South India Azhvars Acharyas Ramanuja Conception of God as laid down by Ramanuja Soul and Immortality Matter or Prakrti Initiation into Vaishnavism The Vadagalai Sri Vaishnavas The Tangalai Sri Vaishnavas The Daily Observances of Orthodox Sri Vaishnava Brahmans Getting up from sleep Evacuation of the urine and faeces Washing Sipping of the water Cleaning of the teeth Bathing or Snanam Putting on the urdhva pundram Offerings of water and rice to devarshis and forefathers (Devarshi piter tarpanam) Moring prayers to God (Morning sandhyavandanam) Repetition of the ashtaksharam Adharasakti tarpanam Aupasanam Abhigamana aradhanam Upadaam Madhahnika snanam Madhyahnikam Aradhanam or worship vaisvadevam Panchamahayajfiam Bhojanam (taking onees food) Svadhyavandanam Yogam Archaka Sri Vaishnava Brahmans The chakrabja mandala dikshai ceremony The Pratishtha Ceremony of Utsava Vigrahas in Temples The ankurarpanam ceremony The Daily Worship in Temples according to the Pancharatra System Entrance into the temple The Archaka purifying himself to be fit for the worship of God The worship of God Brahmotsavam or Car Festival Index.
