The "real" Ramanuja (excerpts from Sri Bhasya)

[Guest guest]

I have included some excerpt from Ramanuja's Sri Bhasya

(english translation from RK Mutt) to reflect Ramanuja's views on

some of the "social" and "dogmatic" issues we have discussed over the

past few months on the net.

 

The two subjects I have chosen are his views on caste and his

viewpoint on hell. The latter I chose simply because it was dicussed

more recently; the first, because, it reflects his view on the society.

 

I have included the Sutra numbers for reference. I have only

included Ramanuja's commentary where I felt that the translation of

the Sutra by itself was not clear of its meaning. It should be noted

that the translation itself reflects Ramanuja's viewpoint since

on a number of points Ramanujacharya and Sankaracharaya differ.

 

Sumanth

 

--

Ramanuja on caste:

 

[1.3.33] Grief arose in him (Janasruti) on hearing the contemptuous

words (of the Rsi in the form of the flamingo); owing to his

approaching him (Raikva with) that (grief) (Raikva Called him a

Sudra); because it (the grief) is referred to (by Raikva)

 

Commentary: In the last topic it has been shown that the gods are

entitled to Brahma-vidya. This topic disucsses whether Sudras are

entitled to it. SInce like gods, the Sudras also are possessed of a

body, capacity and desire for final liberation, it naturally follows

that they too are entitled to Brahmavidya.

 

[A long passage Deleted]

 

This Sutra refutes this view and denies to Sudras by caste, the right

to Brahmavidya. Though meditation is only a mental activity yet the

intellectual knowledge required as a means to the Upasana it not

possible with the study of the Vedas, as in the casee of ritualistoc

action. As Sudras are barred from Vedic studies they cannot therefore

have the necessary qualifications for such Upasanas.

 

[Another long passage deleted]

 

--------------------------

[1.3.36] Because purificatory ceremonies are mentioned (before the

study of the Vedas) and their absence declared (in the case of the

Sudras).

 

In the scriptures we find purificatory ceremonies like Upanayana etc.

prescribed as prerequisites to the study of the Veas and the vidyas.

Vide Cha IV. iv. 5. These ceremonies are for the three higher castes

and not for the Sudra. Their absence in the case of the Sudra is

repeatedly declared in the scriptures. "Sudras do not incur sin, nor

have they any purifactory rites" (Manu XIII. 126); " The fourth caste

is once born and not fit for any ceremony" (Manu X. 4). So they are

not entitled to the study of the Vedas or to the vidyas.

 

 

*************************

Ramanuja's view of Hell:

*************************

 

[3.1.8] On the exhaustion of (good) work (the soul) with the residual

karma (descends to this earth), as is known from Sruti and Smrti,

along the path (it) went by (from here) and differently too.

 

[3.1.9] If it be said that on acccount of conduct (the assumption of

residual karma is unnecessary), (we say) not so, (for the word conduct

is used) to denote indirectly (karma). Thus (thinks) Karsnajini

 

[3.1.12] The Sruti declares (the going to the lunar sphere) of those

also who do not perform sacrifices etc.

 

[3.1.13] But of others (i.e. the evil doers), after having enjoyed

(the results of thier evil works) in the abode of Yama, there is

ascent and descent (from the lunar world); for such a course is

declared (for the evil-doers) by the sruti.

 

Commentary: For the evil-doers also, there is ascent and descent from

the lunar world, but with this difference, that is, they first go to

the abode of Yama, where they suffer punishment for their evil works.

"The hereafter never rises before an ignorant person,...thus he falls

againa and again under my sway" (Ka I, ii 6)

 

[3.1.14] The Smrtis also declre thus

 

[3.1.15] Moreover, there are seven hells.

 

Commentary: Seven hells like Raurava etc. are mentioned by Smritis, to

which evil-doers go to expiate their sins through suffering

 

[3.1.15] And on account of his (Yama's) control even there (in those

hells), there is no contradiction.

 

Commentary: As the evil-doers are sent to the seven hells by the

command of Yama, there is no contradiction. So the evil-doers, after

undergoing punishment for their evil actions, ascend to themoon and

again descend from there.

 

[END of EXCERPT]