Vaishnavism
वैष्णव
The branch of devotion to Vishnu, who holds the world together.
The one who pervades
Vaishnavas worship Vishnu, the preserver. His name is often read as “the one who pervades all things.” Between the ages of the world he rests on the great serpent Shesha, and wakes to protect it.
He comes down to us
When goodness weakens, Vishnu descends as an avatar. Two of his avatars are loved above all in the songs of north and west India: Ram, the prince of Ayodhya, and Krishna, the cowherd child of Vrindavan.
Love, not only ritual
Bhakti asks for love more than learning. From the Tamil Alvars to the saints of Gujarat and Kashi, devotees sang to Vishnu in their own languages, and anyone could join the song.