Kannada Brahmins - The Three Sects

The Three Sects

Karnataka has always been a place where every religion, sect and philosophy have thrived without any fear of persecution. Ramanuja, founder of the Vishishtadvaita philosophy found sanctuary in Karnataka at a time when the Hoysala empire, ruled by Vishnuvardhana, were at their zenith. Adi Shankaracharya, founder of the Advaita philosophy chose Sringeri as the site for the first Matha. Madhvacharya, founder of the Dvaita philosophy, was the son of Karnataka. As such, you will find that every south Indian Brahmin belongs by birth to one of three specific sects (schools of philosophy), being:

• the Smartha sect - adherents of the Advaita philosophy propounded by Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
• the Srivaishnava sect - adherents of the Vishishtadvaita philosophy propounded by Sri Ramanujacharya.
• the Madhwa sect - adherents of the Dvaita philosophy propounded by Sri Madhvacharya.