Ramanuja

Vishishtadvaita is usually translated as qualified non-dualism. Ramanuja argued that Brahman is one, but that souls and matter are real attributes or modes of Brahman rather than illusions.

Shankara's Advaita treats ultimate reality as non-dual Brahman and often explains the world through maya. Ramanuja, writing in works such as the Sri Bhashya, defended a real relationship between God, souls, and the material world.

Ramanuja became the great systematizer of Sri Vaishnava theology and devotional practice. His tradition centers devotion to Vishnu or Narayana and remains especially associated with South Indian temples such as Srirangam.

Traditional dates often place Ramanuja from 1017 to 1137. Some historical details are debated, but he is firmly an 11th to 12th century Vedanta thinker.