Rudra in Viśiṣṭādvaita
In Viśiṣṭādvaita theology, Rudra (Śiva) is a jīvātmā — a high-ranking and meritorious soul — rather than a supreme being. He carries out the function of saṃhāra (dissolution/transformation) as Bhagavān's instrument, just as Brahmā carries out sṛṣṭi (creation). Like all beings, Rudra subsists within the body of Bhagavān and is dependent on Nārāyaṇa as his inner self.
Scriptural Basis
Rāmānuja and the commentarial tradition cite Upaniṣadic passages such as the Śvetāśvatara (where Rudra is glorified) as teaching that Rudra is glorious but not supreme — his glory itself flows from Nārāyaṇa. The Viṣṇu Purāṇa explicitly states Rudra's dependent status.
Respect without Supremacy
Śrī Vaiṣṇavas honor Rudra as a mahā-deva (great deva) and a devotee of Viṣṇu (Viṣṇu-bhakta), but do not worship him as the supreme refuge. The tradition's position avoids both denigration and theological conflation — Rudra is honored, his supremacy is not affirmed.