What was Vaishanavism and Shaivism? Vaishnavism was a form of Hindu tradition in which the principal deity of worship was Vishnu. Shaivism was a form of Hinduism in which the principal deity of worship was Shiva. Related posts: Who was Shahjehan Begum? Name some prominent philosophers of Greece. Name the founders of Buddhism and Jainism respectively. What topics were discussed under Vinaya Pitaka?