Jagadaachaarya Ramanuja - Millennial Mahatma (1017 - 2017)

ಶ್ರೀಮತೆ ರಾಮಾನುಜಾಯ ನಮಃ |

ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನಾಥಸಮಾರಂಭಾಂ ನಾಥಯಾಮುನ ಮಧ್ಯಮಾಂ |

ಅಸ್ಮದಾಚಾರ್ಯ ಪರ್ಯಂತಾಂ ವಂದೆ ಗುರುಪರಂಪರಾಂ ||

Vishishtaadvaita philosophy has been in existence from time immemorial, starting from Sriman Narayana himself, with a long list of illustrious Acharyas (Guru, teacher) to follow - Sri Maha Lakshmi, Vishvaksena, Nammalvar, Naathamuni, Uyyakondar, Rama Mishra, Yaamunaachaarya, Periya Nambi, Srimad Ramanujacharya, Kuresha, Govinda, Thirukkurugai Piraan Pillaan, Vishnuchitta, Parashara Bhattar, Vedanta Deshika, Manavaala Maamuni - unbroken all the way to our respective Acharyas.

This is the school of thought where the Acharya is considered the medium not only for learning but also for realization of both aatman (self) as well as paramaatman (Lord). In fact the Guru is so highly regarded that the 108 places of Narayana worship have gained credibility as Divya kshetrams not because He dwells there, but because the Alwaars have sung His praise in these places! Sriman Narayana 

To stand taller amongst the philosophical Giants is no small feat and Ramanujacharya is rightly considered as Vishishtadvaita's most revered proponent. He qualified the monotheistic philosophy to postulate that the aatman and paramaatman are distinct entities and the aatman can fuse with the paramaatman for salvation only by absolute surrender (sharaNAgati, ಶರಣಾಗತಿ) to the Lord through a Guru. He proffered this notion in his "Sri Bhashyam", a commentary on Veda Vyasa's Brahmasutram, thus etching the Ramanuja siddhaanta (philosophy). His ideology was slightly different from Sri Shankara Bhagavatpaada's in that the Lord is distinct from the jeevaatman and is qualitative (ಸಗುಣಾತ್ಮಕ). He brought in a stream-lined approach to harmonize temple rituals across the country, a system which is still in practice a thousand years later. 

Most importantly, beyond all his spiritual and philosophical feats, he is better known for being the first social reformer of India. He went beyond the path of religion, to bring a balance in the societal strata. He believed that every person, irrespective of their birth lineage, could attain salvation by devotion (ಭಕ್ತಿ) and sharaNAgati. He was ready to give up his own right to salvation if he could make hundreds more reach there. He led by example that inclusivity is the best way to serve the Lord.

It is the 1000th birth anniversary of Srimad Ramanujacharya today (May 1st, 2017; ಹೇವಿಳಂಬಿ ಉತ್ತರಾಯಣ ವೈಶಾಖ ಶುಕ್ಲ ಷಷ್ಠಿ, ಆರ್ದ್ರಾ ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ). 

His thoughts and deeds are very relevant in today's world where intolerance is unfortunately the norm. May his teachings show us the righteous path to equality and peace. Let us spread his Divine and peaceful message to make this a better world.

ಸರ್ವದೇಶ ದಶಾಕಾಲೇಷು ಅವ್ಯಾಹತ ಪರಾಕ್ರಮ |

ರಾಮಾನುಜಾರ್ಯ ದಿವ್ಯಾಜ್ಙಾ ವರ್ಧತಾಮಭಿವರ್ಧತಾಂ ||

Adiyen Ramanuja daasan.

ಯೋ ನಿತ್ಯಮಚ್ಯುತ ಪದಾಂಬುಜಯುಗ್ಮರುಕ್ಮ
ವ್ಯಾಮೋಹತಸ್ತದಿತರಾಣಿ ತೃಣಾಯಮೇನೇ |
ಅಸ್ಮದ್ಗುರೋರ್ಭಗವತೋಸ್ಯ ದಯೈಕಸಿಂಧೋಃ
ರಾಮಾನುಜಸ್ಯ ಚರಣೌ ಶರಣಂ ಪ್ರಪದ್ಯೆ ||

Ramanujacharya was an avatar of Adishesha, the king of serpents who served as an integral part of Narayana's family in Vaikuntam. He came down Earth as a Jagadaachaarya to establish the sacredness of Vedas and bring in social reforms.

Sri Ramanujacharya at Sriperambudur, his birth place. He was born in 1017 to Keshava Somayaaji and Kantimati.

At Kancheepuram, where he performed theertha kainkaryam to Sri Varadaraja Swamy. He interacted with Tirukkachchi Nambi here and learnt Dravida Vedam from him.

At Srirangam, his heart of operations! After the demise of his Acharya and predecessor, Yaamunaachaarya, he took over to efficiently manage the Srirangam matham and the temple. He attained salvation here after a beneficial and benevolent life of 120 years. This is supposedly his body preserved for the benefit of posterity and as a reminder for emulating the path he carved out for all of us.

At Srirangam Andavan Ashramam, one of the 74 illustrious peethams he set forth to propagate the Vishishtadvaita philosophy.

At Madhurantakam, where Ramanujacharya received SamaashrayaNam from Periya Nambi.

At Tirumala, where Ramanujacharya Kathy Srikar Raamaayanam from his maternal Uncle, Tirumala Nambi. He wrote his first major work here, Vedanta Sangraha, and offered it to Sreenivaasa. He reinstated the shankham (conch) and chakram (disc) to unequivocally prove that the deity was indeed Sriman Narayana.

At Melukote where he uncovered the idol of Cheluva Naaraayana. He spent about 20 years here and was instrumental in establishing a Vishishtadvaita stronghold in Karnataka.

At Thondanoor where, in his true form of Adishesha, he successfully debated about Vishishtadvaita with a thousand Jains.

At Hedatale, where the main deity is Sri Lakshmikantha Swamy, who is ready to perform SamaashrayaNam.

ಅಸ್ಮದ್ಗುರು ಪರಂಪರಾಯೈ ನಮಃ |

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