Vaishnavism draws on a broad scriptural foundation, yet certain texts stand out as especially central to its devotional and theological vision. Foremost among these is the Bhagavad Gita, embedded in the Mahabharata, which is revered for its synthesis of dharma, karma, and bhakti, and for its portrayal of Krishna as the Supreme Being guiding the seeker. Alongside it, the Ramayana, particularly the version attributed to Valmiki, offers a sacred narrative of Rama as an exemplar of righteousness and divine kingship, shaping the devotional imagination of many Vaishnavas. These epics are not merely stories but living scriptures, continually interpreted through the lens of devotion to Vishnu and his avatars.

The Purāṇic literature provides another vital layer of authority. The Bhagavata Purana (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam) occupies a special place, being devoted primarily to Krishna’s life and teachings and serving as a rich source for meditative and emotional engagement with the divine. The Vishnu Purana and Narada Purana further articulate Vishnu’s nature, his avatars, and his cosmic role, elaborating cosmology, sacred history, and devotional practice. Together, these Purāṇas offer a narrative theology in which philosophy, myth, and worship are woven into a single tapestry centered on Vishnu.

Underlying this devotional corpus is the older Vedic and Upanishadic tradition, received through a Vaishnava lens. The Vedic Samhitas and the Upanishads, especially those that emphasize Vishnu or Narayana, are read as affirming a personal, supreme reality that is at once transcendent and immanent. Their often terse and enigmatic teachings are made accessible through Vaishnava commentaries, which interpret them in support of a bhakti-centered understanding of Brahman. In this way, the philosophical depth of the Upanishads is harmonized with the loving devotion characteristic of Vaishnavism.

In more specialized domains, Vaishnavism also turns to sectarian and theological texts that shape ritual, community, and doctrine. The Pancharatra and Vaikhanasa Agamas lay out detailed guidelines for temple worship, ritual procedures, and theological frameworks, especially in traditions where image worship and temple life are central. The Divya Prabandham, the Tamil hymns of the Alvars, functions as a cherished scriptural body in Śrī Vaishnavism, embodying intense personal devotion in poetic form. Complementing these are the Brahma Sutras with Vaishnava commentaries and the works of major ācāryas such as Ramanuja, Madhva, Chaitanya, and Vallabha, whose writings systematize doctrine and offer profound reflections on the nature of Vishnu, the soul, and the path of devotion.