10 Defining Highlights from the Life of Bhagavad Ramanujacharya

Ramanujacharya was the chief proponent of Visishtadvaita philosophy and a distinuguished social reformer. Born in 1017 in Sri Perumbudur, Tamil Nadu, to Asuri Kesava Dikshita and Kantimati, he exhibited prodigious intellect and a great affinity for Lord Srimannarayana. Ramanujacharya married Thanjama:mba at the age of 16. Shortly after his wedding, his father Keshava Diskshita passed away. The family moved to Kanchipuram where Ramanujacharya continued his studies under the acclaimed scholar Yadava Prakasha. He befriended Ka:nchipurna, a fervent devotee of Varadaraja Perumal of Ka:nchipuram shunning the social caste-based rules of his times, thus becoming the veritable symbol of equality.

While under the tutelage of Yadava Prakasha, Ramanujacharya offered alternative interpretations of verses which were rooted in his profound devotion to Lord Srimannarayana, diverging from his teacher's non-dualistic and impersonal philosophy. Yadava Prakasha, feeling affronted, devised a plan to kill Ramanujacharya who escaped into the dense forests. With the aid of a compassionate hunter couple, Ramanujacharya was guided safely back to Kanchipuram and reunited with a surprised Yadava Prakasha. However, tensions flared again leading to Ramanujacharya leaving the school. Meanwhile, the revered Sri Vaishnava saint Yamunacharya of Sri Rangam, who had previously met Ramanujacharya and prayed for his induction into the Visishtadvaita tradition, sought a successor as his health declined. Yamunacharya envisioned the illustrious Ramanujacharya as the ideal successor to his position and the torch-bearer of Sri Vaishnavism.

Yamunacharya summoned Ramanujacharya, but breathed his last just before Ramanujacharya reached Sri Rangam. Seeing Yamunacharya's three clenched fingers, Ramanujacharya understood it as a divine message to write Sri Bhashyam, a commentary on the Brahma Sutras by Veda Vyasa, revere Sages Parasara and Veda Vyasa, and spread the glory of Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4000 songs sung by the Alwars. Ramanujacharya, determined, went back to Kanchipuram. Upon Lord Ranganatha's command, Mahapurna Swami, Yamunacharya's disciple, initiated Ramanujacharya with mantra at Kanchipuram and panchasamskara at Madhurantakam. Following Lord Varadaraja's instruction, Ramanujacharya embraced the ascetic life, holding the Tridandam. The Jeeyar Ramanujacharya, radiant with Vedic knowledge, was welcomed by the Lord Varadaraja with all temple honors and bestowed with the title Yathiraja, the King of the ascetics.

Ramanujacharya pulled large crowds to his discourses on Lord Srimannarayana being the origin of everything in the Universe. He gained a number of noteworthy disciples including Kuresara Misra and Yadava Prakasha, who was previously his guru. He provided proofs for the authenticity of pancha samskaras from the Vedas and Puranas. Ramanujacharya served Lord Varadaraja with fervor. Lord Ranganatha desired Ramanuja’s presence at Sri Rangam and sent an Araiyar to Kanchipuram to impress them with musical expertise and accept only Ramanujacharya in return. A reluctant Lord Varadaraja let Ramanujacharya go. Ever since, the temple of Lord Varadaraja is referred to as “Tyaga Mandapam”. Ramanujacharya was entrusted with the duty of administering ”Bhoga Mandapam” - the Sri Rangam temple where Lord Ranganatha enjoys Ekanta Veena every morning, thereby protecting souls in both worlds, the physical Leela Vibhuti and the higher Nitya Vibhuti as Udaiyavar or Ubhaya Vibhuti Natha

Ramanujacharya envisioned an attitude of intense devotion to Lord Ranganatha for all. During Panguni Uttiram, the only day when the Lord Ranganatha meets Goddess Ranganayaki in her chambers, Ramanujacharya crafted the Gadya Thrayam, enrapturing a large audience. In Saranagati Gadyam, the concept of surrender is expounded through a spiritual enactment involving Ramanujacharya, Lord Srimannarayana and Goddess Lakshmi. In Sri Ranga Gadyam, Lord Ranganatha is revered equally to Lord Srimannarayana and so is Sri Rangam to Vaikuntham. In Vaikuntha Gadyam, Ramanujacharya eloquently portrays Vaikuntha, drawing from the deep knowledge of Alwar’s Divya Prabandham and the Pancharatra Agama. He streamlined and enhanced the practices at the Sri Rangam temple, instilling an aura of peace and divinity in the premises. Since then, Ramanujacharya's authority is honored and venerated as "Ramanujarya Divyagnya Vardhatam Abhi Vardhatam".

Ramanujacharya immersed himself in the study of Vedic scriptures, and aspired to ingrain esoteric mantras like the Ashtakshari Mahamantra. He journeyed multiple times, covering 100 miles on foot from Sri Rangam to Thirukoshtiyur, seeking out Goshti Purna Swamy. Despite facing rejection, Ramanujacharya persisted with humility and eagerness. On his 18th attempt, he greeted Goshti Purna with "Adiyen" instead of the usual "Aham Asmi." Goshti Purna agreed to share the mantra in extreme strict confidence. However, from the top of the Thirukoshtiyur Saumya Narayana Perumal temple tower, Ramanujacharya revealed it to the world. Outraged, Goshti Purna declared that Ramanujacharya would reach hell. Ramanujacharya was happy to accept such a fate in return for the liberation of the human race. Ramanujacharya’s goal always had been to spread the Ashtakshari Mahamantra. A repentant Goshti Purna showered Ramanujacharya with heartfelt praise as"Emperumanare (One who is greater than me)"

Ramanujacharya undertook a challenging journey on his knees to reach “Pushpa Mandapam”- the Lord Venkateshwara temple at Tirumala. Certifying Tirumala as Lord Vishnu's exclusive abode, he safeguarded it from exploitation. He offered a Goddess Lakshmi pendant to the Lord, foreseeing great material prosperity for the temple. He introduced the Thomala Seva and initiated the tradition of chanting “Govinda” while ascending the holy hills. He appointed a Vaikhanasa Agama priest named Bimbadara, and his descedants, to serve the Lord in the inner sanctum. He enhanced the temple’s infrastructure, organized the temple administration and improved the roads around the temple for processions. He entrusted his disciple Ananthalwan with the task of growing a garden of fragrant flowers and weaving beautiful garlands daily for offering to the Lord.By reinstating the "Sankha" and "Chakra" on the Lord, Ramanujacharya became the Acharya of Lord Venkateswara!

Ramanujacharya was a staunch devotee of Goda Devi who was born 4000 years before him. He fulfilled Goda Devi’s vow to offer 100 vessels of Akkaru Adisil prasadam and 100 vessels of butter to Lord Sundara Bahu in Tirumaliran Solai/Azhagar Koil. When he informed Goda Devi about the offering at Srivilliputhur, she was deeply touched and her deity form moved two steps forward and addressed him as “Anna”(elder brother). Even today at Srivilliputhur, we can see Goda Devi as having taken two steps forward. From then onwards, devotees chant “Om Yathiraja Sahodaryai Namaha'' while praying Goda Devi and “Om Goda Agrajaya Namaha'' while praying to Ramanujacharya, highlighting their brother-sister bonding. Ramanujacharya spread the glory of the songs of the Alwars. He would fervently chant the verses of the Thiruppavai and would often deliver sermons expounding on the intricate depths of the verses. He was thus conferred with another title - Thiruppavai Jeeyar

Ramanujacharya authored acclaimed philosophical works such as Vedanta Saram, Vedanta Deepika, Vedartha Sangraham and Gita Bhashyam. He toured across the entire country, winning debates with many philosophers and establishing the Sri Vaishnava doctrine's supremacy. He set up centers along with 74 of his appointed descendants. He institutionalized existing Vaishnava temples and centers across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Tirupathi, Puri, Ahobilam, Dwaraka, Mathura, Vrindavan, Muktinath, Ayodhya, Badrinath, Naimisha and Pushkara. Ramanujacharya undertook an arduous journey to Sharada Peeth in Kashmir. He obtained rare manuscripts which he thoroughly researched and wrote his magnum opus - Sri Bhashyam. Upon completion, Goddess Saraswati, extremely pleased with the grand work, appeared before Ramanujacharya, gifted him with a Lakshmi Hayagriva deity and bestowed upon him the title of “Bhashyakara“

Ramanujacharya dedicated 32 years to Melkote, where he emerged victorious in debates with Jain philosophers, built numerous temples, and recovered the stolen utsavar deity of Tiru Narayanaswamy temple from the Sultan in Delhi. He also established various Vedic learning centers, leading Melkote to be known as “Jnana Mandapam.” Before his return to Sri Rangam, he embraced an idol named “Thamarugundha Thirumeni,” which remains at the Tiru Narayanaswamy temple, passing on all his spiritual strength. He returned to Sri Rangam and lived until the age of 120. Ramanujacharya virtually attended and accepted the Prana Prathishta to a deity named “Thanugundha Thirumeni” in Sriperumbudur, his birthplace. His preserved body can be visited in the Sri Rangam temple, known as “Thanana Thirumeni.” Ramanujacharya's legacy endures as he continues to inspire and advocate for equality worldwide from India, represented by the world’s second-largest seated statue –The Statue of Equality.