Swami Vivekananda on Ramanuja

[Guest guest]

Sri

Srimate Ramanujaya Namaha

 

"...The movement of Sankara forced its way through its

high intellectuality, but it could be of little service to

the masses, because of his adherence to strict caste laws,

very small scope for ordinary emotion, and making Sanskrit

the only vehicle of communication. Ramanuja, on the other hand,

with a most practical philosophy, great appeal to the emotions,

an entire denial of birthrights before spiritual attainments

and appeals through the popular tongue, completely succeeded

in bringing the massess back to the Vedic religion."

--- Swami Vikekananda, "The Historical Evolution of India"

 

I seek member's general thoughts on the above observations

of Swami Vivekananda.

 

It would be particularly interesting to hear from members who

have have been deeply involved with both the traditions of Sri

Sankara and Sri Ramanuja.

 

Do you agree that Sri Emperumanar Darsanam is

"a most *practical* philosophy"? If so, in ways?

 

Looking forward to an interesting discussion.

 

adiyen ramanuja dasan,

-Shreyas

[Guest guest]

> "...The movement of Sankara forced its way through its

> high intellectuality, but it could be of little service to

> the masses, because of his adherence to strict caste laws,

> very small scope for ordinary emotion, and making Sanskrit

> the only vehicle of communication. Ramanuja, on the other hand,

> with a most practical philosophy, great appeal to the emotions,

> an entire denial of birthrights before spiritual attainments

> and appeals through the popular tongue, completely succeeded

> in bringing the massess back to the Vedic religion."

> --- Swami Vikekananda, "The Historical Evolution of India"

 

Swami Vivekananda is wrong. He is simply refelcting the marxist historical

view that existed at that time. Sankara brought about a revolution. It is

wrong to say that Shankara is alone responsible for debating with Buddhists.

The real impact made on Buddhism was by the mimAmsakasa, particularly

KumArila bhatta. The Alwars and Nayanmars provided the much indeed impetus

at a later stage. This was followed by literary revolutions in most indian

languages, Ezhuttacchan in Malayalam, Basavanna in Kannada, Tulsidas,

Tukaram, Eknath, Mirabai, Ramprasad Sen et al....

 

Shankara's philosophy does not adhere to "Strict" caste laws as Vivekananda

opines. Shankara points out the greatness of Vidura and Shankara's manIshA

panchakam treats with equalness all sAdhaka-s. The second point that

Shankara's philosophy gives importance to Sanskrit over other languages is

also wrong. The Koviloor Madalayam patronized by the Nagarattar community in

Tamil Nadu, founded by Srilasi Nachiappa Gnanadesikan teaches advaita

vedantam in Tamil. The madalayam maintains traditional links with Shringeri

matham.

 

Kadai Swami of Jaffna, Sri Lanka was also initiated by Shringeri Matam.

 

Some links of further interest: http://www.koviloor-madalayam.org/ &

http://www.xlweb.com/heritage/skanda/kadaiswa.htm

 

Given the above to examples, it is enough to show that Shankara's philosophy

does not encompass that "strict" laws which Swami Vivekananda, without proof

opines.

> Do you agree that Sri Emperumanar Darsanam is

> "a most *practical* philosophy"? If so, in ways?

 

I would like to read the opinions by other members in regard to the above as

well.

 

Regards,

 

Malolan Cadambi

 

[ However one views Swami Vivekananda, Sri Sankara, and Sri Ramanuja,

for heaven's sake let's not get sidetracked and bring Marx into

all of this! In addition, I have a strong feeling that any of

the traditional followers of Sri Sankara such as the traditional

smarta brahmin would strongly disagree with you, and would indeed

maintain that Sri Sankara strongly upheld the traditional caste

laws as established in varnashrama dharma. One only need look at

Sri Sankara's introduction to his Gitabhashya, where it is declared

that Lord Krishna's avatara was solely for the upliftment of the

brahmin, or at his teaching that only brahmins can truly become

mumukshus. The Manisha Panchaka is not really representative of

the practical aspect of Sri Sankara's philosophy. -- Moderator ]