It is generally held that there are four Sampradayas or main sects
of Bairagis. These are--
(_a_) The Ramanujis, the followers of the first prominent Vishnuite
reformer Ramanuj in southern India, with whom are classed the
Ramanandis or adherents of his great disciple Ramanand in northern
India. Both these are also called Sri Vaishnava, that is, the principal
or original Vaishnava sect.
(_b_) The Nimanandi, Nimat or Nimbaditya sect, followers of a saint
called Nimanand.
(_c_) The Vishnu-Swami or Vallabhacharya sect, worshippers of Krishna
and Radha.
(_d_) The Madhavacharya sect of southern India.
It will be desirable to give a few particulars of each of these,
mainly taken from Wilson's _Hindu Sects_ and Dr. Bhattacharya's _Hindu
Castes and Sects_.