Vaishnava Sampradayas
Within Vaishnavism there are four main disciplic lineages (sampradayas), each exemplified by a specific Vedic personality. The four sampradayas follow subtly different philosophical systems regarding the relationship between the soul (jiva) and God (Vishnu or Krishna), although the majority of other core beliefs are identical.
- Lakshmi-sampradaya
- Philosophy: Vishishtadvaita ("Qualified Monoism"), espoused by Chidachida Visishtam Ramanujacharya
- See Sri Vaishnavism, Vaikhanasa, Ramanandi Sect, Swaminarayan.
- Brahma sampradaya
- Philosophies: Dvaita ("dualism"), espoused by Madhvacharya, and Achintya Bheda Abheda (literally "inconceivable difference and non-difference").
- Rudra sampradaya
- Philosophy: Shuddhadvaita ("pure nondualism"), espoused by Vishnuswami and Vallabhacharya.
- Kumara-sampradaya
- Philosophy: Dvaitadvaita ("duality in unity"), espoused by Nimbarka.
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