Sri:

I was listening to something while I heard the answer (I think) to
your question regarding the difference / non-difference between
Thiru-naamam and Perumal.

In Mumuksupadi's vyakyanam by Sri Manavala Mamuni, in Suthram 14, 15,
and 16, there is the following:

I am quoting from Sri TCA Venkatesan's translation (of Sri PBA Swami's
Sarartha Deepikai):

--
Sutra 14: The greatness of the manthra that speaks of the Lord is not
the same as the greatness of the Lord Himself (i.e. it is considered
greater than His).
[Vachya Prabhavam and Vachaka Prabhavam]

Sutra 15: Even if He, who is the meaning of the word, is far away,
this Thirumanthra, which is the word will stay close and will give
that which those recite it seek.

Sutra 16: It was Govinda nama that protected and saved Draupadi at her
time of distress, by growing her sarees in the rajya sabha.
--

Adiyen has no knowledge, but this might suggest that the Thiru-naamam
and Perumal are different (in a restricted sense of the word
"difference"), but only in the restricted sense (that it is a quick
and an easier means to have "access" to Him). You might want to refer
to all the above sources for more clarification.

Hope that helps.

Adiyen dasan.

--- In ramanuja (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com, bharath ks <ksbarks@y...> wrote:
> ...
> Also, I would like to know specifically if in the Sri
> Vaisnava philosophy, the Lord is considered
> non-different from His name? For example, the name
> water and water itself are different. By chanting the
> name water, one cannot quench his thirst. What is the
> stance of the Sri Sampradaya philosphy on this?
>
> - Bharath