Supreme.

q. Explain how Sriman Narayana is considered as supreme in Srivaishnavism and bring out his five forms.


The term Vaishnavism has to be distinguished from the term Srivaishnavism. Srivaishnavism expressly denotes the role of Vishnu as Sriyah pati (the consort of SRI i.e. Lakshmi ) Vishnu along with Sri occupies the supreme position. Vaishnavism is the name of the religion and visistadvaita is the philosophy of this religion.
In Srivaishnava tradition "SRI" i.e. Lakshmi occupies a pivital position.
The word Sri has several interpretations all pointing to her unique position as the consort of the Lord and the mediator between Him and the erring humanity. She appeals to the Lord to forgive the sins of the jivatma. Therefore Sri means:
a. One who removes all our sins.
b. One who nourishes the world by her virtue.
c. One who is resorted to by all beings.
d. One who stays in the highest abode.
e. One who hears and appeals.
f. One who passes on the appeals to the Lord.
Yamunacharya in his Chatus sloki describes Lakshmi as the godesses of plenty, prosperity compassion and supreme authority. She stays in the Nitya Vibhuthi along with Vishnu. Without her grace, no man can aspire for any welfare either in this world or the other. Even liberation comes only with her recomendation.

A clear, devotional, śāstra-based note on the supremacy of Śrīman Nārāyaṇa, with  quotes from Vedas, Upaniṣads, Itihāsa–Purāṇa, and Āḻvārs.

Supremacy of Śrīman Nārāyaṇa – 

1. Vedic Foundations

(a) Nārāyaṇa Sūkta

“Nārāyaṇaḥ parāḥ brahma

Nārāyaṇaḥ parāḥ smṛtaḥ

Nārāyaṇaḥ parāṃ jyotiḥ

Ātmā Nārāyaṇaḥ parāḥ.”

— Mahā Nārāyaṇa Upaniṣad

Nārāyaṇa alone is the Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Light, and the Supreme Self.

(b) Vishnu Suktam

“Tad viṣṇoḥ paramam padam sadā paśyanti sūrayaḥ.”

— Ṛg Veda 1.22.20

The wise eternally behold the highest abode of Viṣṇu.

(c) Purusha Suktam

“Viṣṇuḥ karmaṇi prabhṛtaḥ.”

— Ṛg Veda 10.90

Viṣṇu pervades all works, all creation, all that exists.

2. Upaniṣadic Authority

(a) Mahā Upaniṣads

“Nārāyaṇāt brahmā jāyate,

Nārāyaṇāt rudro jāyate,

Nārāyaṇāt indro jāyate.”

— Nārāyaṇa Upaniṣad (1.2)

From Nārāyaṇa alone arise Brahmā, Rudra, Indra, and all deities.

(b) “Eko Nārāyaṇa āsīt”

“Eko ha vai nārāyaṇa āsīt,

Na brahmā, na īśānaḥ…”

— Mahopaniṣad 1.1

In the beginning, only Nārāyaṇa existed; not Brahmā, not Śiva.

3. Itihāsa — Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata

(a) Rāmāyaṇa

“Eko hi Rudraḥ na dvitīyāya tasthuḥ

… sa tu Viṣṇur eva.”

— Yuddha Kāṇḍa

Valmiki declares that the One Supreme Rudra hailed as cosmic is none other than Viṣṇu.-

(b) Mahābhārata (Śānti Parva)

“Nārāyaṇaḥ paro devaḥ

Nārāyaṇaḥ paraṃ tapaḥ

Nārāyaṇaḥ paraṃ brahma.”

— Mahābhārata 12.350.43

Nārāyaṇa is the Supreme God, the Supreme Ascetic Power, the Supreme Brahman.

(c) Bhagavad Gītā

“Mattaḥ parataraṃ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya.”

— Gītā 7.7

There is nothing higher than Me.

“Ahaṃ sarvasya prabhavo

Mattaḥ sarvaṃ pravartate.”

— Gītā 10.8

I am the source of all creation.

4. Purāṇas

(a) Viṣṇu Purāṇa

“Viṣṇuḥ sākṣāt parabrahma.”

— 1.2.10

Viṣṇu is the Supreme Brahman.

(b) Bhāgavata Purāṇa

“Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam.”

— 1.3.28

This is the famous declaration:

Kṛṣṇa is the original, complete Bhagavān.

5. Āḻvārs and Śrī Vaiṣṇava Tradition

Nammāḻvār

“Nedumālē! un perumai yār aṛivār?”

— Tiruvāymoḻi 1.3.6

O Infinite Māl (Viṣṇu)! Who can measure Your greatness?

Periyāḻvār

“Paḷḷāṇḍu paḷḷāṇḍu pāḷḷāyiratthaṇḍu

Paḷḷakodi nūṛāyiram…

He sings eternal benediction to Nārāyaṇa alone.

6. Śrī Rāmānuja’s Gītā Bhāṣya Summary

Śrī Rāmānuja repeatedly asserts:

“Nārāyaṇa is the cause, support, and ruler of all;

all gods function by His power.”

Veda, Upaniṣad, Itihāsa, Purāṇa, and Āḻvār—all unanimously declare:

Śrīman Nārāyaṇa alone is Parabrahman, the Supreme Cause, Supreme Lord, and Supreme Refuge.