Ramanujacharya - The great Philosopher and Social Reformer

Thanks a lot for the post, sudhaama.

I have a few doubts :

1. I have read that when Ramanuja was summoned by the king, his disciples took his place & made Udaiayavar escape to melkote. When they were produced before the king, they were asked to sign the proclaimation that Lord Shiva was a greater God than Lord Vishnu & when they refused, they were punished.

Assuming that the above is true, when ramanuja is so large hearted, what prevented his followers also to be so?

I know there is some explaination here which I would like to hear from U.

2. Also I have read that since he was saved by harijans or dalits (as we call them now) from the clutches of robbers when he was returing from delhi to melkote, he "allowed" them to enter the shrine for 3 days in a year.

Now we know that udaiyavar's large heartedness knew no boundaries, if that is the case, why only "the 3 day period?

My intention is not to cast aspersions on the Maha Purusha (Avarai paththi vimarsanam pandrathukku yarukkume thagudi illai geradhu ennodiya abiprayam).

I only want to clear certain misgivings, that's all.

As an ardent udaiyavar devotee, it pains me when certain people cast aspersions.

Also, i wonder why U have stopped posting on Udaiyavar, of late. Please continue to do so. It is of immense benefit & delight to Udaiayavar devotees like me (& I am sure to many others as well).

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. King Kulothunga Chozha's RELIGIOUS FANATICISM

Chozha Kings were ardent Saivites... and had highly patronised Saivam...

... but in general they had not hindered nor interfered with their people following other Religious faiths...

... thus encouraged PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE.

Whereas the one and only King KULOTHUNGA-CHOZHA- III.... was the only exception....the worst SAIVA-FANATIC.. to forcibly convert his people as well as the other Religious leaders.. as Saivites.

Those who refuse were severely punished.

But to the amaze of one and all... he could not convert his own Vaishnavite Minister NALOORAAN... the ardent disciple of Ramanuja.

Consequently the people were mocking at the King anonimously.. and he felt it as a matter of shame due to his failure in that case only.

But that minister was the so much trustworthy and highly competent executive, the King could not afford to lose... just by causing any displeasure to him.

Naalooraan's stand was that if his Guru Ramanuja agrees and declares that...
... the Lord Siva is supreme over all other Gods... including Vishnu...according to the Gospel VEDAS...

...he would abide by it and get converted to Saivam.

The King took it as a challenge to get such a statement of declaration... signed and authenticated as a permanent document from the All India famous Scholar Ramanuja... the then leading Non-Saivite residing in his country.

But most of the employees in his palace including the King, had never seen that Acharya. Even the few who could identify preferred to hide their knowledge.

During NAALOORAAN's absence...while he had gone to his native village, the King played a secret plan.

In the early morning, the Kings men arrived at Ramanuja's matam at Srirangam... and sought for the Acharya....while he was away for morning bath at Kaveri River.

KOORATHU- AZHWAR, Ramanuja's intimate disciple could smell the wicked-intention of the cruel King... and feared the probable harm to his Acharya... from the well-known Saiva-fanatic hating other faiths.

So he rushed to wear Ramanuja's Saint-robes and came out saying "I am Ramanujacharya... If the King wants me to meet him, well I am prepared to come".

Ramanuja's Guru, PERIA-NAMBI... could foresee the imminent grave danger to the innocent and selfless disciple Koorathu-Azhwar...posing as Ramanuja, due to his high spirit of Sacrifice to save his Guru.. So he too rushed to the Pallanquin introducing him as Ramanuja's Guru... interested to accompany.

Noticing such a sudden turn of circumstances... the Kainkarya-paras... the Ramanuja's Servicemen... rushed out of the matam in full batch and parafernalia... Thiru-chinnam, Chaamarams and Yekkaalam... etc.

... and took their respective positions in front of the palanquin... to pilot their Acharya...

Kattiyam-kaarar in his high-piched voice shouted... the ceremonial Kattiyam...

..."Jaya Vijayee Bhava... Ramanujacharya sreshta mahanubhaava... the Sri-Vaishnava maha Acharya Yathiraja... ... Paraak Paraak."

Because all of them were anxious to rush out... before the real Ramanuja's return from Kaveri.. probable at any moment.

This drama enacted collectively by all concerned... in a hurry within a few minutes... but with a noble intention... made the King's commander believe... that it was the real Ramanuja alongwith his Guru... sitting in the pallanquin..

The convoy started... while the perplexed people were helplessly watching with eerie silence.

In the Urhaiyur Chozha palace... the King straightaway asked Alwar to sign on a Palm-leaf declaration...

...stating SIVAATH- PARADARAM NAASTHI... meaning "There is No other Supreme God over Lord Siva"

The word SIVA has several meanings... one of its various meanings is LORD SIVA.

And one of the other meanings is... UZHAKKU (1/8 Measure) in Tamil.

Alwar being a great scholar meant the word Siva by that different sense... and wrote below the pre-written line as follows...

..."DRONAM ASTHEETHI THADAH PARAM"... and then put the seal of Ramanuja beneath..

By this Alwar meant the Word SIVA by its another meaning.. as "Uzhakku" (1/8 Measure)... and DRONAM = Aazhaakku (1/4 Mesure) which leads to its overall meaning that...

... One-fourth(1/4) is greater than One-Eighth(1/8)... (Lord Siva is totally out of picture.)

The King became furious and forced to accept that as per Vedas.. the Lord Siva is supreme over Vishnu.

Koorathu-Alwar and Peria-Nambi politely and persuasively argued with the Saiva pandits and the King... thus.

(1) We are not interested to denigrate any Vedic gods... be the Siva or any other God... because all the Vedic Gods are the various options available for the varied devotees suiting to their liking and individualities. And since they all are the part of our Holy Scriptures we duly regard all the Gods.

We expect the same spirit from our Ruler King... as well as other Saivites too... on all the Vedic Gods.

(2) If all of you Saivites believe that the God Siva is the supreme... even over the Lord Vishnu... well... you can believe so and follow accordingly. We are not interested to dispute with you, because it is your personal-faith... on which others are not supposed to interfere.

(3) But please do not force us to accept your Personal faith... deviating from our personal faith... since our Sect-faith is different as we follow our Vaishnava-gurus.

(4) Similar to your Ancestor-Kings... as also all other Kings... we expect you our Ruler to protect us equally as much as Saivites... without domination over our personal-faiths and beliefs.

(5) It is NOT CORRECT to say that Vedas declare Siva as the supreme... No Not so... nor it is proper to preach such a false propaganda in the name of Veda... other than your such a personal faith..

Vedas clearly state...

Narayana Para-brahma thathwam = Narayana is the Supreme God by Principle and Mights ..

Narayana paraha = Narayana is the Supreme Ruler over all other Gods....

Narayana Paro-jyothi = Narayana is the Supreme graceful Jothi imparting Grace- light to other God-Jothis..

Aathman Narayana paraha = Narayana is the Paramaathma- Omnipotent.

Yacha kinchith jagad sarvam drusyathae srooyathepi vaa, anthar bahischa thath sharvam vyaapya Naraayana sthithaha =

= whichever be objects or things even the tiniest in the Universe... either audible or visible... within all such ones...as also externally, the Lord Narayana is all pervasive... stable, permanent and eternally... true to the meaning of His another name VISHNU.

All the various Gods are the creations by ONE AND THE ONLY Supreme God... Narayana.... as stated categorically by Vedas and Upanishads undoubtedly.

Saivite pundits could not disprove such Gospel-statements...

Then the King interfered and passed a judgement that both these Vaishavites are Raja-drohi (Traitors to the King)...

.. be made BLIND by Sharp hot-rods... as the due punishment... It was carried out immediately.

Guru Peria-nambi... the aged man, could not bear the cruel brunt of the hot-rod piercing the eyes and so died immediately.

The blinded Kooraththu Alwar returned silent to Srirangam... was received by a large crowd.. weaping, lamenting and crying aloud...

But the Alwar consoled them and cried aloud... shedding Bloody-tears... WITH JOY...

..."Oh God, Thank you... You have saved my Great Guru Ramanuja Acharya... from this INHUMAN CALLOUSNESS AND CRUELTY.!!...

... received right from our Protector King...just because of different God-faith...

...Is it our CRIME to be Vaishnava... a NON-SAIVITE? "
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Ramanuja-Acharya was not aware of all these sudden turn of events...

... occurred even before DAY DAWN...

.. since he was away at Kaveri River for early morning bath.
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PERIA-NAMBI Ramanuja-Acharya's Guru... volunteered to join with KOORATHU- AZHWAR...
...just to share with his heavy task of facing the SAIVITE-FANATIC Kulothunga Chozha King.

Only because they did not agree to become Saivites...

...both of those Scholars were victimised by the King.. to be made BLIND... by piercing Hot Rods..

.. which Tyranny PERIA NAMBI, Ramanuja's Guru could not bear...

.. and he immediately died after inexplicable suffering and agony.

. ... at his old-age... 105.
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. Ramanuja's UNIQUE SERVICES to Mankind.

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Originally Posted by smith

// Thanks a lot for the post, sudhaama.//

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Thanks for your Healthy Comments and Feedback.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smith

// I have a few doubts :

1. I have read that when Ramanuja was summoned by the king, his disciples took his place & made Udaiayavar escape to melkote. When they were produced before the king, they were asked to sign the proclaimation that Lord Shiva was a greater God than Lord Vishnu & when they refused, they were punished.

Assuming that the above is true, when ramanuja is so large hearted, what prevented his followers also to be so?

I know there is some explaination here which I would like to hear from U.//

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Now I hope You are clear about the True-event... as per my narrative posting

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smith

// 2. Also I have read that since he was saved by harijans or dalits (as we call them now) from the clutches of robbers when he was returing from delhi to melkote, he "allowed" them to enter the shrine for 3 days in a year.//

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This is radically a Cheap and False-Story. I will post the True-event soon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smith

// Now we know that udaiyavar's large heartedness knew no boundaries, if that is the case, why only "the 3 day period?//

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Ramanuja's greatness is that he used to value and honour the views, faiths and sentiments of each and all the sections of the society.

So although he could convince one and all the opponents to Temple-Entry by the THIRU-KULATHOR (Harijans)...

.. he did not like to force them to accept for the whole year... valuing their sentiments.

So initially he made it as Only one day in a year as the First phase.. then improved it to 3 days... as the second Phase.

Parallelly, the other side... the Harijans, were contented with 3 days in a year, because they feared that the Sanctity of the Temple may be vitiated due to their unorthodoxy..

....eventually adding up to their sins.

Ramanuja's Preachings were :--

(1) Devotion to God is a must for every Human-being irrespective of Caste or any such segmentation of the Society.

(2) Prayer and Worship must be performed directly also... without confining it to the representatives conducting on others behalf... be he a King or a Rich man or a highly Learned Scholar.

(3) Mutual-Love amongst the Devotees is the primary requisite... prior to offering worship or prayer to God...

...since God does not allow nor pardon anybody harbouring hatred or neglect of other devotees of any status..

...from any individual devotee... however great he/she may be in other respects.

In brief...GOD IS LOVE...like the Parents... more than a RULER.!
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Sudhaama,

I have a few more questions on Sri ramanuja.

1. Some scholars have said that ramanuja lived only upto the age of 80 years & not 120 years as is commonly beleived.

2. Regarding his sannadhi at srirangam, is it that the body was interned & an image raised above it or is it his actual body that has been placed for darshan?

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.Ramanuja still alive as FLESHY IDOL.!!..God-made.!!!.

Dear Friend "smith1",

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smith1

Sudhaama,

I have a few more questions on Sri ramanuja.

1. Some scholars have said that ramanuja lived only upto the age of 80 years & not 120 years as is commonly beleived.

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Ramanujacharya was born in the year 1017 A.D ... Tamil-Year PINGALA ... Month : CHITHIRAI... Birth Star: THIRUVADHIRAI (Arudra)

He lost his last breathe in the Year 1137... Tamil Year PINGALA... Month : CHITHIRAI... Demise-Star : THIRUVADHIRAI (Arudra).

Now you can arrive at the true Arithmatical figure of his Life-time duration... Is it 120 Years ? Or just 80 years?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smith1

2. Regarding his sannadhi at srirangam, is it that the body was interned & an image raised above it or is it his actual body that has been placed for darshan?

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Immediately after Ramanuja breathed the last, the Asareeri -commandment (Invisible Divine Voice) from Lord Ranganatha, could be heard by one and all in the Temple...

(1) "Ramanuja is None else than the ADI-SESHA (holy-Serpent of Maha-Vishnu at Vaikunta-loka)...

(2) He is the UDAYAVAR..(Owner of both the Worlds viz Vaikunta and Bhooloka- Earth and...

... he will rule over the the rest of the Kaliyuga period in the Idol-shape named THAANAANA-THIRUMENI..

...in his present body form of Flesh and Bones... unaffected eternally...

He will be the Protector for those who worship him and follow his Preachings.

(3) So the Acharya's Thirumeni/ Body should not be disposed off, but honourably installed in a separate Sannidhi within my Temple premises...

... and duly worshipped by his Disciples and Devotees... who repose faith in me....

..Because he is my Glorious Godly-Servant of mine at both the worlds.

(4) Whoever believes and worships Ramanuja... will be fully taken care of by me...

...and ultimately granted Moksha / Mukthi / Liberation from further Rebirths.

Accordingly it was carried out by his Disciples.

While there was an Muslim -invasion on the whole of South India, including Ranganatha Temple, to loot its wealth...

...each Vaishnava-Acharya of that time, volunteered to share amongst themselves, the several tasks to protect the Temple, Deities Moolavar / Uthsavar, including this Ramanuja's Shrine.

One of such Acharyas, Swami Desika took up personal commitment to save all the Moolavars, including this Ramanuja's Thirumeni.

Along with his team of followers and devotees, he built up overnight Camouflage walls covering up Ranganatha Moolavar Sannidhi as well as all such Sannidhis, including this Ramanuja-Moolavar's.

He made Duplicate Moolavars for every Sannidhi... posing deceptive looks...

...including Ramanuja's Sannidhi... in another Sannidhi structure fastly raised up in front of the original Ramanuja behind....

A Duplicate Statue made of Wax and Clay was installed in that dubious Sannidhi.

...while the Original Ramanuja's body was smeared by SAANDHU-KAPPU.. a Variety herbal-mix paste...

...to protect the Human Skin by any probable attack of Germs and Anaerobic Bacteria, under coverage in darkness.

As expected, the Muslim Invaders attacked and destroyed all such Duplicate Idols... believing them to be the Originals...

...including Ramanuja's Duplicate idol made by Swami Desika, overnight.

Srirangam whole town, including the Temple, was under the Muslim Invaders rule for about 8 years,

...and later on when it was got extricated back to the Hindu's custody such Camouflage Structures were cleared off, duly reopening all the Original Sannidhis...

...and the customary Vedic poojas and services were restored... by the Hindus then.

But they feared to scrape out the protective Herbal-paste on Ramanuja's body... which action may probably cause pains or any Skin Injury or Damage to the Holy Ramanuja-Moolavar, alive.

Furtheron it has become an Half-Yearly Festival... so called SAANDHU-KAAPU UTHSAVAM...

...to re-apply such Herbal pastes repeatedly over and over.

Besides, there was one more reason. Several bitter experiences in such other holy Hindu shrines, were Lessons to them.

For example, on his last day, Jothi Ramalinga Swami entered a small room at Vadalur after strictly advising his followers, that he was leaving the Earth ultimately...

... and Nobody should open the room for ever in future.

Whereas after a few weeks of the Swamis entry into the room locked up from inside,

...some of his Opponents and Enemies lodged Complaints to the Collector, raising doubts..

...that the Swami had committed Suicide by hanging secretly within the room

Consequently the Locks were broken and the Room was forcibly opened by the British Collector...

...but found the whole room Empty. ! ... It has No Windows or Ventilators !!

..which truth made them realise that Jothi Ramalinga Swami is a Mahaan who had reached Sivaloka..

...by totally disappearing from the World... along with his Body and Dress too... MIRACULOUSLY.!!

So the Ramanuja's disciples did not want to take chances by any such probable future Enemies.

So they wanted to continue in that same deceptive look as if it is just a man-made Sculpture.

There are several stories and episodes on this matter.

Even this posting may be disputed by some on its authenticity.

But this is the Truth... although cannot be proved on its veracity.

Ramanuja's skin only has been protected... but not the Flesh and bones.

The whole body is still in unaffected shape and Life even after about 860 years.

So we strongly believe that ...

.. as the whole-hearted Well-wisher for the entire Global Humanity, irrespective of the multi-facted faiths...

...alongside the Glorious Emancipater of Mankind... on the purpose of Earthly birth...

...the Great Ramanuja... is still alive in His THAANAANA- THIRUMENI... at Srirangam...

...as the currently LIVING GOD on Earth...

... for those who BELIEVE SO.
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Thanks, sudhama. The vedintha desika episode was news to me.

I read in the net thus :

The traditional biographies of Ramanuja place his life in the period of 1017–1137, yielding a lifespan of 120 years. However, the unusual length and roundness of this lifetime has led scholars to propose that Ramanuja was born 20–60 years later, and died as many as 20 years later than the traditional dates.

Any chronology depends crucially on the major historical event mentioned in the traditional biographies: the persecution of Vaishnavas under the Chola king Kulothunga and Ramanuja's subsequent 12-year exile in Melkote, in Karnataka.

In 1917, T. A. Gopinatha Rao proposed a chronology based on the traditional lifetime of 1017–1137.

He identified the Chola king with Kulothunga Chola I (reigned 1070-1120), and dated the exile to Melkote from 1079 to 1126 CE (Rao 1923 cited in Carman 1974:45).

However, this would extend the period of exile to 47 years, and in any case, Kulothunga I was not known for being an intolerate Shaivite.

A different chronology was proposed by T. N. Subramanian, an official in the Madras government (Subramanian 1957 cited in Carman 1974:45).

This chronology identifies the Chola king with Kulothunga Chola II, who reigned from 1133–50 and was known for his persecution of Vaisnavites. It puts Ramanuja's exile from c. 1137 to 1148.

Subramanian's hypothesis is aided by a fragment from the late Tamil biography Rāmānujārya Divya Caritai, which states that Ramanuja completed his most important work, the Śrībhāṣya, in 1155–56.

Nevertheless, temple inscriptions in Karnataka indicate the presence of Ramanuja and his disciples before 1137. Carman (1974:45) hypothesizes that the traditional biographers conflated two different visits to Mysore into one. This later chronology has been accepted by several scholars, yielding a tentative lifetime of 1077–1157.

Hence my doubt regarding his age.

Regarding the thirumeni, some of my friends said that if it were indeed Ramanauja's body per se, it would have been mentioned in the koil olugu. It has not been done so.

I have had the good fortune of worshipping all the 3 thirumenis of Udaiyavar.

In fact the say I went to to Srirangam this year, I was told that the 'sandhana kaappu" was to be performed 3 days later.

Seems it is performed twice a year. The sannadhi is closed during the "thirumanjanam" & opened only after it is complete.

I also had the privelege of worshipping Udaiyavar on his Jayanthi in 2004 at Sriperumbudur.

I request U to post more on Udaiyavar for the benefit of everyone.

Ur posts have been extremely educative, informative & fulfilling.

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.SAANDHU KAAPU UTHSAVAM at Srirangam Temple.

Dear "smith1",

Thanks for your lively postings and meaningful questions, enabling me to post the intricate details.

In fact I feel enthused to post more interesting facts...

... due to such wise and pertinent questions...

...from any of our Hubber friends... Globally.

Welcome.

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Originally Posted by smith1

....... I was told that the 'sandhana kaappu" was to be performed 3 days later.

Seems it is performed twice a year. The sannadhi is closed during the "thirumanjanam" & opened only after it is complete.

I request U to post more on Udaiyavar for the benefit of everyone.

Ur posts have been extremely educative, informative & fulfilling.

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It is not CHANDHANA-KAAPU... but SAANDHU-KAPU... so to say... a SAANDHU / Paste made from several Herbs are applied over the previously applied existing coatings...

...during the so called SAANDHU KAPU UTHSAVAM... periodically conducted only at Srirangam Ranganathar Temple...

... to protect the THAANAANA THIRUMENI.

I am not sure... whether it is performed Annually or Half-Yearly.

Our Well-Knowledged Friend (Moderator) Mr Badri knows better on this point.

Dear Mr. Badri... Please clarify.. Is it an Annual or Half-Yearly Celebration?
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