Adiyen have not associated with an Acharya yet and has few doubts regarding the association with a preceptor: 1. What is the difference between Madhva tradition and Ramanuja tradition? Are both not Srivaishnava-s? What is the difference between Vishishtadvaitam and Dvaitam? 2. Will we attain salvation just by performing Prapatti and not Bhakti? Why do Srivaishanava-s say Prapatti is the only means to attain salvation? 3. What is the difference between bhakti and bhakti yogam? 4. Must one have undergone upanayanam before undergoing samashrayanam and bharanyasam? Should a Srivaishnava wear poonal (sacred thread) to obtain initiation? 5. Are Mahalakshmi thayar and Sriman Narayanan one and the same? Can thayar alone grant salvation without the grace of Perumal?

1. Both Madhva and Ramanuja tradition followers are devotees of Vishnu and in that sense, they are also Srivaishnava-s. But the philosophy varies known as Dvaitam and Vishishtadvaitam.
In Vishishtadvaitam, Perumal is the in-dweller in all; he is the in-dweller who commands and all-pervasive; Dvaitam does not accept this.
Bhagavan rules like a king to protect the universe; while a king rules externally, Bhagavan rules everything by being all pervasive including the animate and inanimate; he is the supreme soul of all souls. Hence, he is called Paramathma. There are such differences that can be understood by listening to kalakshepam-s.
Vishistadvaitam means Bhagavan resides everywhere along with the universe and he is the only pervasive entity.
Dvaitam states Bhagavan is separate, and the universe is separate. But as per Vishishtadvaitam, Bhagavan is two entities, animate and inanimate, and is pervasive in both and nothing is separable from Him.
2. Scriptures state if we perform Prapatti we can attain salvation, but it does not mean one cannot attain salvation through bhakti; such a question had arisen due to misunderstanding the concept. Prapatti is the direct means of salvation while bhakti induces Prapatti for salvation. For example, when one can reach the terrace at the eleventh stair, it is like asking if can we go up only by climbing the 10th stair and if is it not possible by climbing the 1st or 2nd stair instead. In that sense, bhakti is also essential.
3. There are many stages in bhakti, every human needs bhakti always; even to perform prapatti one requires bhakti. Prapatti does not mean one is not without devotion. Bhakti yogam as stated in Bhagavad Gita is meditating on the Supreme being which is not an easy means for us. One who performs prapatti does have basic devotion, so it can’t be stated that the person is devoid of devotion.
4. It is not a must that one has should have undergone upanayanam for performing samashrayanam and bharanyasam. To obtain Srivaishnava disksha it is not a must that one has to wear the sacred thread.
5. Mahalakshmi thayar and Sriman Narayanan are two separate Gods and not one. Scriptures have not stated that thayar alone can grant salvation. As per Vedas, scriptures, Ithihasa-purana, the divine couple grants salvation, we have to accept this instead of pondering on matters like whether one of them can grant salvation. Granthams, Azhwars and Acaryas have also stated they grant salvation together as a divine couple.