Vaḍakalai — The Northern School of Śrī Vaiṣṇavism
Vaḍakalai ('northern tradition'; vaḍa = north + kalai = tradition/school) refers to the northern sub-school of Śrī Vaiṣṇavism, centered historically in Kāñcīpuram and associated with the theological lineage of Vedānta Deśika (1268–1369 CE), whose works in Sanskrit and Maṇipravāḷa define the school's theological positions.
The vaḍakalai school is sometimes called the Deśika sampradāya or the Śrī Bhāṣya sampradāya. Its primary theological distinctives include:
The Markaṭa-kiśora Nyāya (Monkey-young analogy): In vaḍakalai theology, the relationship between Bhagavān's grace and the soul's effort in surrender (prapatti) is illustrated by the baby monkey (markaṭa-kiśora): the young monkey must hold on to its mother as she moves — the holding on represents the soul's own effort, which is essential. Bhagavān's grace carries, but the soul must grasp. This contrasts with the teṉkalai mārjāla-kiśora (cat-young) analogy where the mother cat simply picks up the kitten without any effort from the kitten.
Śabda-pramāṇa emphasis: Vaḍakalai theology places greater emphasis on Sanskrit śāstra (especially the Brahmasūtra as interpreted by Rāmānuja in the Śrī Bhāṣya) as the primary pramāṇa (means of valid knowledge). Vedānta Deśika's Śatadūṣaṇī is a rigorous engagement with Advaita arguments.
Prapatti as one-time, complete act: Both schools agree that prapatti is the upāya (means) for liberation, but their articulations of prapatti's mechanics differ in the markaṭa/mārjāla nuance.
In terms of liturgy and practice, vaḍakalais recite the Sanskrit Vedas and Tamil Prabandham jointly during worship — the 'ubhaya Vedānta' tradition. Their ūrdhva-puṇḍra (forehead marking) style places a white śrīcūrṇa mark at the center, dividing the two white lines.