Vaishnavism

Vaishnavism is one of the principal traditions of Hinduism, and is identified from other schools by its primary worship of Vishnu (and his associated avatars) as the Supreme God. It is principally monotheistic in its philosophy, whilst also incorporating elements which could be described as being panentheistic. Its beliefs and practices, (known as Bhakti Yoga, or Bhakti) are based largely on Vedic and Puranic texts such as Bhagavad Gita, Isha Upanishad, and the Vishnu and Bhagavata, Puranas. The followers of Vaishnavism are referred to as 'Vaishnavas', which is the Vriddhi form of Vishnu in Sanskrit. According to recent statistics Vaishnavas make up approximately 70% of the total of all followers of Hinduism  with the vast majority of these being in India. The Gaudiya Vaishnava branch of the tradition has increased significantly in terms of both numbers and worldwide distribution in recent years, largely through the activities of the Hare Krishna movement (ISKCON).

Vishnu: The Supreme
The principal belief of Vaishnavism is the supremacy of Vishnu or Narayana as the one Supreme God. The principle is also applicable to the many avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu as listed within the Puranas but excludes all other personalities referred in the Vedas or similar texts, (i.e Ganesh, Surya or Durga etc...) which are instead classified as 'demi-gods' or devas. Shiva is also viewed as subservient to lord Vishnu, although with the understanding that he is also above the category of an ordinary living being (jiva) . A number of Vaishnava schools identify the God of the Abrahamic religions with Vishnu, although it is not an essential tennet of Vaishnava belief, being outside of the scope of Vedic evidence.


Worship
Vaishnava theology includes the central beliefs of Hindusim such as reincarnation, samsara, karma, and the various Yoga systems, but with a particular emphasis on devotion (bhakti) to Vishnu through the process of Bhakti yoga, often including singing Vishnu's name's (bhajan) and performing deity worship (puja). Within their worship Vaishnava devotees will always see themselves as (at least partially) separate or distinct from their lord, Vishnu. Unlike other schools of Hinduism whose goal is liberation (moksha), or union with the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate goal of Vaishnava practice is an eternal life of bliss (ananda) in service to Vishnu, or one of his many avatars, in the spiritual realm of 'Vaikuntha', which lies beyond the temporary world of illusion (maya). The three features of the Supreme as described in the Bhagavata Purana: Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan; are viewed as the Universal Vishnu, Vishnu within the heart, and Vishnu the personality respectively.


 Initiation
Vaishnavas commonly follow a process of initiation (diksha), given by a guru, under whomn they are trained in order to understand Vaishnava practices. At the time of initiation the disciple is traditionally given a specific mantra, through which they will offer worship to Vishnu or one of his avatars. The process of following a spiritual master is based on injunctions in scriptures held as sacred within the Vaishnava traditions:

"Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth".(Bhagavad Gita)
"One who is initiated into the Vaishnava mantra and who is devoted to worshiping Lord Visnu is a Vaishnava. One who is devoid of these practices is not a Vaishnava."(Padma Purana) 

Attitude to scriptures
Vaishnava traditions refer to the writings of previous acharyas in their respective lineage or sampradya (see below) as authoritive interpretations of scripture. While many schools like Smartism and Advaitism encourage interpretation of the Vedas philosophically and metaphorically and not too literally, Vaishnavism stresses the literal meaning (mukhya vṛitti) as primary and indirect meaning (gauṇa vṛitti) as secondary: sākṣhād upadesas tu shrutih - "The instructions of the shruti-shāstra should be accepted literally, without so-called fanciful or allegorical interpretations." (Jiva Goswami, Kṛiṣhna Sandarbha 29.26-27).


The Four Vaishnava sampradaya

Vishnu as worshipped in the form of Satya NarayanaWithin traditional Vaishnavism there are four main disciplic lineages (sampradayas), each of which traces its roots back to a specific Vedic personality. The four sampradaya's each have subtley different philosophical systems regarding the relationship between the soul (jiva) and God (Vishnu), although the majority of other core beliefs will be identical.

Rudra-Sampradaya
Philosophy: Shuddhadvaita ("pure nondualism"), espoused by Vallabhacharya.
Brahma-Sampradaya
Philosophy: Dvaita ("dualism"), espoused by Madhvacharya, and also -
Achintya Bheda Abheda ("inconceivable oneness and difference"), espoused by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (See Gaudiya Vaishnavism).
Lakshmi-Sampradaya
Philosophy: Vishishtadvaita ("qualified nondualism"), espoused by Ramanuja (See Sri Vaishnavism).
Kumara-Sampradaya
Philosophy: Dvaitadvaita ("duality in unity"), espoused by Nimbarka.

Other Branches
The Ramanandi movement, begun by Ramananda.
Mahapuruxiya Dharma, espoused by Sankardeva.

Vaishnava Tilak  Garuda