HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji introduces Bhagavad Ramanuja as the thousand-year-old savior whose philosophy of Visishtadvaita and selfless compassion transformed the world.
Bhagavad Ramanuja
"If my act of revealing the Mantra redeems the whole world from the horrendous clutches of karma, and if for that Infernal Hell will be the result — I have absolutely no objection to go to that Hell."
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Who else can show such a warm, all-embracing concern other than Acharya Ramanuja?
Link copiedNearly a thousand years ago, a savior — a marvelous philosopher-saint — appeared on this earth, announcing to the world the dawn of a brilliant new era in philosophy and spirituality. His vibrant philosophy, Visishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism, the "tri-une monism" that unites God, souls, and matter), lifted the curtain on a revolution both social and philosophical. Bhagavad Ramanuja was instrumental in the revival, growth, and enlivening of the Visishtadvaita school of thought, which had existed from time immemorial.
Link copiedHumanity all over the globe — regardless of religion, caste, creed, or country — should be indebted to this great savior, whose philosophy reached and enlightened millions upon millions of truth-seekers.
Link copiedHis Life in Brief
Bhagavad Ramanuja was the beloved son of Sri Asuri Keshava Yajvi and Kanthimathi. He sanctified this earth with his appearance in Sri Perumbudur, near Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, in 1017 AD. A precocious and brilliant child, he gave beautiful and accurate explanations of the Vedic texts even as a boy. His studies were profound and his thinking was deep. He became a great learner under the tutelage of several Acharyas (spiritual teachers). In the course of his studies, he endured many hardships and indignities — all with a burning zeal for learning and reverence for his preceptors.
Link copiedFulfilling the Three Wishes of Sri Yamunacharya
To fulfill the three unspoken wishes of his great grand-guru Sri Yamunacharya — another equally illustrious saint — Sri Ramanuja spread Visishtadvaita dynamically far and wide in three ways:
Link copied- By composing his magnum opus, the Sri Bhashyam (his commentary on Veda Vyasa's Brahma Sutras).
- By honoring the two brilliant sons of Sri Kuresa Misra as Parasara Bhattar and Vedavyasa Bhattar.
- By systematizing Nammalwar's expositions with proper commentaries and making them part of regular worship.
A Multifaceted Reformer
This extraordinary multifaceted genius brought about many reforms:
Link copied- Unity among all classes and creeds — he took Harijans into the temple at Melkote, showing that there are no caste distinctions on the path to God.
- Divulging the Ashtakshari Mantra (the sacred eight-syllabled mantra) of Lord Narayana to the world, regardless of the consequences or indignities he himself would face from his Guru, Goshtipurna.
- Composing nine treatises of his own.
- Reforming and systematizing deity worship in all the temples, especially Srirangam, and protecting the Agama system (the prescribed temple rituals).
- Declaring to the world that the presiding deity on Tirumala Hills was Lord Srinivasa, and offering Him the Sankha and Chakra (the divine conch and discus) — making the Lord Himself his disciple.
- Touring the whole country with Kuresa and researching Bodhayana Vrutthi at the Kashmir library to uncover the true heart of Veda Vyasa.
These are only a few of his accomplishments.
Link copiedIt was Bhagavad Ramanuja's genius, his skill of organization and administration, the vastness of his learning, and his total devotion to a single cause throughout his 120-year life on earth that made him the "Savior" who lives forever in the hearts of millions of followers all over the world. May his light shine forever to usher in an era of peace and tranquility!
Link copiedOur mangalasasanams (blessings) are also due to all who are going to experience the grace of the great acharyas, whose love blooms in the hearts of readers through this wonderful work.
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