Followers of Visishtadvaita are known as Sri Vaishnavas. The prefix ‘Sri’ is never dropped. The reason lies in the philosophy that they follow, in which the Lord is never viewed individually, but is always seen together with His Consort — Sri. In other words, it is the Divine Couple who are together worshipped, never the Lord alone, elaborated T.S.R. Narayanachariar in a discourse. The Supreme One is described as having many kalyana gunas. The Goddess equally has innumerable such auspicious qualities.
Vedanta Desika, in his Sri Stuti, describes the greatness of Sri Devi. In verse 24, he says She is KalyANAnAm avikala nidhi — She is the repository of all auspiciousness, and Her auspicious qualities are infinite. She is kAruNya sImA — the abode of compassion and there is none more compassionate than Sri Devi. The Veda vakyas are known for their fragrance, and She is the MandhAra mAlA —garland — that adorns the head of the Vedas. She is the wealth of the Lord who destroyed the demon Madhu. She is sakala bhuvana PrArTanA kAmadhEnuh — She is Kamadhenu, who answers the prayers of people. Desika prays that such a Sri should always be present in his heart.
In NyAsa Tilaka, Desika describes the Divine Couple as Dampati Jagatampati — the Divine Couple who rule over the entire Universe. The tattvatraya concept can be seen manifested in the Divine Couple. The three tattvas are tattva, hita and Purushartha. Divya Dampati represents tattva; Saranya Dampati represents hita, and Seshi Dampati represents Purushartha.
Saranagati must not be offered only at the feet of the Lord. It must be offered at the feet of the Divine Couple.
