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Vaishnavism has four major traditions, or sampradaayas. They are as follows: S''riivais'n'ava sampradaaya; Brahmaa sampradaaya; Kumaara sampradaaya; and Rudra sampradaaya. Each ot these sampradaayas also have a major aacaarya, or teacher, who has established the teachings of the sampradaaya. These aacaaryas are respectively: Raamaanuja; Madhu (sometimes called Madhva); Nimbaarka; and Vallabha (sometimes Vis'n'usvaamii is listed instead of Vallabha). Each of these aacaaryas have presented his specific philosophical doctrines, known respectively as: vis''is't'aadvaita; dvaita; dvaitaadvaita; and s''uddhaadvaita. These doctrines are presented on websites of their respective followers.

There are also other important gurus in the Vaishnava tradition, who deserve to be mentioned. They are Caitanya and Svaamiinaaraayan'a. Caitanya is considered to be a part of the Brahmaa sampradaaya, and Svaamiinaaraayan'a is considered to be a part of the S''riivais'n'ava sampradaaya. Both of them are somewhat controversial in their sampradaayas, so sometimes they are considered to have formed their own traditions.

Most Westerners who have come in contact with any form of Vaishnavism have done so through devotees of Caitanya. He lived in Bengal in India about 500 years ago, and nowadays there are many Vaishnavas who claim to be his followers. There are, however, considerable fractions among those Vaishnavas, which could be very confusing for newcomers to the Vaishnava religion.

Although most Vaishnavas claim to belong to one of these sampradaayas, there are also many svatantra (independent) Vaishnavas who are not representing any particular branch of Vaishnavism, but who are nevertheless genuine Vaishnavas. This website is maintained by one such independent Vaishnava, who wants to present Vaishnavism in a non-sectarean way. Thus, it is not the official site of any organisation or group.