Within the philosophical vision articulated by Ramanuja, Vishnu—particularly in the form of Narayana—stands as the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate reality and personal God. Ramanuja’s Vishishtadvaita Vedanta posits that Vishnu is not merely one among many deities, but the absolute foundation of all existence. In this framework, the individual soul (jiva) and the material world (prakriti) are both real, yet they exist as inseparable attributes or modes of Vishnu. This relationship is characterized by the doctrine of inseparable qualification: Vishnu is the substantive reality, while souls and the universe are his attributes, entirely dependent upon and controlled by him.

Ramanuja’s theological stance diverges from the Advaita perspective by affirming that Vishnu-Narayana is Saguna Brahman—Brahman endowed with auspicious qualities—rather than a lower manifestation of an attributeless absolute. The soul’s ultimate purpose is realized through devotion (bhakti) and self-surrender (prapatti) to Vishnu, who is regarded as the inner controller (antaryamin) and the source of all knowledge, power, and goodness. Liberation, in this vision, is not achieved by dissolving into an impersonal absolute, but by recognizing and experiencing the soul’s intimate and eternal relationship with the personal God.

Ramanuja’s life and teachings were steeped in devotion to Vishnu, and his spiritual practice centered around worship and surrender at sacred sites such as the Srirangam temple. He interpreted foundational scriptures—the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahma Sutras—as ultimately guiding seekers toward devotion to Vishnu rather than advocating for merger with a formless Brahman. As the head of the Sri Vaishnava tradition, Ramanuja systematized the worship of Vishnu and established devotional practices that continue to shape the spiritual landscape of South Indian Vaishnavism.

Thus, in Ramanuja’s vision, Vishnu is both the philosophical absolute and the object of loving devotion. All beings and the universe are seen as inseparably connected to Vishnu, dependent on his grace, and capable of attaining liberation through heartfelt devotion and surrender. This relationship underscores a profound unity that honors both the reality of the soul and the transcendence of the divine.