sri-vaishnavism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low frequency (C2+ specialized religious/historical term)Academic/religious/technical
Quick answer
What does “sri-vaishnavism” mean?
A major tradition within Vaishnavism that emphasizes devotion to Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi (Sri), following the teachings of Ramanuja and other acharyas.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A major tradition within Vaishnavism that emphasizes devotion to Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi (Sri), following the teachings of Ramanuja and other acharyas.
A monotheistic Hindu theological and philosophical system centered on Vishnu worship, characterized by qualified non-dualism (Vishishtadvaita), temple traditions, and distinctive ritual practices.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences; identical in academic and religious contexts.
Connotations
Both varieties associate it with South Indian Hinduism and philosophical scholarship.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech in both regions; appears primarily in academic religious studies or interfaith discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “sri-vaishnavism” in a Sentence
Sri Vaishnavism [VERB] that...Sri Vaishnavism [ADV] emphasizes...According to Sri Vaishnavism,...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sri-vaishnavism” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Sri Vaishnava traditions are preserved in South Indian temples.
American English
- The Sri Vaishnava community maintains ancient ritual practices.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Sri Vaishnavism represents a major theological development in medieval South India.
Technical
The pancasamskara ritual marks initiation into Sri Vaishnavism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sri-vaishnavism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sri-vaishnavism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sri-vaishnavism”
- Misspelling as 'Shri Vaishnavism' (though acceptable)
- Using lowercase ('sri vaishnavism')
- Confusing with other Vaishnava traditions like Gaudiya Vaishnavism
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's a specific tradition within Vaishnavism with distinct philosophical, ritual, and theological characteristics.
While based on ancient texts, it was systematically expounded by the philosopher-saint Ramanuja in the 11th-12th centuries.
It refers to the goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort, emphasizing her role in granting divine grace.
Mainly in South India, particularly Tamil Nadu and neighboring regions, with major temple centers like Srirangam.
A major tradition within Vaishnavism that emphasizes devotion to Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi (Sri), following the teachings of Ramanuja and other acharyas.
Sri-vaishnavism is usually academic/religious/technical in register.
Sri-vaishnavism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃriː ˈvaɪʃnəvɪzəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsri ˈvaɪʃnəˌvɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Following the path of Sri”
- “In the Sri Vaishnava fold”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Sri (goddess) + Vaishnavism (Vishnu worship) = Sri Vaishnavism (worship of Vishnu with Sri)
Conceptual Metaphor
Theology as architecture (structured system), devotion as servitude (sharanagati)
Practice
Quiz
Sri Vaishnavism is primarily associated with which philosophical system?