Ramanujacharya 3

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April 7th, 2003, Monday (Pancami)Appearance day of Sri Ramanujacarya

 

DANGER IN THE FOREST

 

Kantimati was unhappy at the prospect of being separated from herson for so many

months, but, understanding the meritorious nature of such aventure, she gave him

her permission to go. So it was that, at an auspiciousmoment, the band of

disciples, headed by Yadavaprakasa, started out on thepilgrimage. After a few

days traveling they came to a desolate region nearthe Vindhya Hills.

Yadavaprakasa considered that this would be a suitableplace to put his evil plan

into operation, and he told his disciples toprepare themselves. However, while

they were discussing the finalpreparations, Govinda was in the forest nearby,

and he heard everything theysaid. As soon as he had the opportunity, he informed

Ramanuja of the greatdanger he was in. When he understood the wicked intentions

of his teacher and fellowstudents, Ramanuja left the party and fled into the

forest. When his absencewas noticed, Yadavaprakasa sent some of the boys into

the forest to searchfor him, but when no one replied to their calls, they

concluded thatRamanuja must have been killed by some wild beast. Although

secretly verypleased by this apparent turn of events, because of Govinda's

presence, theyall pretended to be very much aggrieved. Yadavaprakasa spoke to

Govinda,instructing him about the temporary nature of the body and

bodilyrelationships, thus revealing his cunning and treacherous nature.MEETING

WITH THE HUNTER When Ramanuja heard from Govinda of the plot that was

threateninghis life, he was at first stunned and completely bewildered, it was

justhalf an hour before nightfall: he was a young man of only eighteen

years,alone and friendless in a land far from his home. Then suddenly he

feltgreat strength and courage enter his body. "Why should I be afraid?"

heconsidered, "Is Lord Narayana not the protector of His devotees? Thereforewhat

have I to fear from the darkness of the forest?" Thinking like this, heturned

his face resolutely towards the south and began walking quicklythrough the

forest. Sometimes he thought he could hear faint voices callinghim in the

distance, but he never hesitated and continued on his course. He travelled for

most of the night, until eventually, exhausted byhunger and fatigue, he rested

beneath a large tree. He awoke the followingday, refreshed and vigorous once

more. Already it was afternoon, and so heprepared to continue on his journey.

While he was considering whichdirection he should take, he saw a fowler couple

approaching him. Thehunter's wife said to him, "Is it because you have lost your

way that youare sitting here alone in the forest? You look like the son of a

brahmana.Where is your home?My home is far from here," replied Ramanuja, "way

to the south.Have you heard of a place called Kancipuram?" How is it that you

are so bold as to journey alone through thisdense forest, which is infested with

robbers and wild animals?" asked thehunter. "I know Kancipuram very well, and,

as it happens, we are also goingin that direction" Ramanuja was very surprised

to hear this, and so heasked, "Where are you from and for what reason are you

going to Kanci?We are forest dwellers," came the reply, "and live in a

smallvillage near the Vindhya Mountains. Because we have made our livelihood

bycatching birds, we are now going on pilgrimage to Ramesvaram and Kancipuramto

free ourselves from the reactions to so many sinful activities. It seemsthat the

Supreme Lord, who gives shelter to everyone, has brought you to usfor

protection." At first Ramanuja was a little afraid of the tall,

dark-skinnedstranger, but there was something about the affection in his face

and thesweetness of his words that quickly dispelled all the misgivings from

theyoung brahmanas mind. As it was by now almost evening time, the fowler

said,"Let us go quickly through this forest region, and then we can camp for

thenight near an underground river that is not too far from here" They set off

at once and about an hour later came to the banks ofthe river. The fowler

collected some pieces of wood and lit a fire. Then heprepared a camp site, so

that they could spend the night there. Just beforehe fell asleep, Ramanuja heard

the fowler's wife say to her husband, "Mydear, I am feeling very thirsty. Can

you look for some water for me?Now the night has come," said the fowler, "and

it would be foolishto leave the shelter of the firelight. Tomorrow you will be

able to quenchyour thirst with the cool waters of a well that is just near

here."THE LORD PROTECTS HIS DEVOTEE Early the next morning they rose and

continued on their journey.Soon they came to the well the fowler had spoken of,

and Ramanuja went downthe steps to collect water for the wife of the fowler.

Three times hebrought water to her, but still her thirst was not satisfied. When

he cameback for the fourth time, there was no trace of the couple to be seen.

Theyhad completely disappeared. It was only then he realized They were in

factLaksmi and Narayana, who had taken the forms of a fowler and his wife justto

protect Their devotee and guide him through the dangerous forest. Seeing the

towers of temples and a cluster of houses nearby,Ramanuja asked a passerby,

"Sir, what is the name of this town?" The man looked at him in amazement. "Can't

you recognize the reputedcity of Kancipuram?" he replied. "Why are you speaking

like a stranger? Iknow that you are one of Yadavaprakasa's students, and I have

seen you manytimes in the city." Saying this the man continued on his way

without waiting for areply. At first Ramanuja was taken completely by surprise

at thisunbelievable news, but gradually he began to realize how Laksmidevi and

LordNarayana had bestowed their mercy upon him. Then his heart became filledwith

the ecstasy of divine love, and with tears rolling down his cheeks hebegan to

offer prayers: namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana hitaya ca jagad-dhitdya

krsnaya govindaya namo namahRAMANUJA'S RETURN For over an hour Ramanuja

remained at the well, rapt in ecstasy,reciting Queen Kunti's prayers from the

Srimad-Bhagavatam in glorificationof the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Eventually three women carrying waterpitchers approached the well, and, upon

seeing them, Ramanuja controlled hisemotions and proceeded on towards

Kancipuram. Ever since her son had set off on the pilgrimage to northern

India,Ramanuja's mother, Kantimati, had been in a state of constant

lamentation,shedding tears of separation. Thus, when he suddenly appeared at the

doorwayof the house, she could not at first believe it was actually him. Only

whenhe paid obeisances and spoke to her was she fully convinced. Then she

wasfilled with happiness and began to inquire from him, "My dear child, how isit

that you have returned so soon? Where is Govinda? I thought that it wouldbe at

least six months before you returned from your pilgrimage to the holyGanges."

When the whole story had been related to her, Kantimati washorrified by the evil

intentions of Yadavaprakasa, but also delighted tohear of the great mercy the

Lord had shown her son. At that momentRamanuja's aunt, Diptimati, the mother of

Govinda, came to the house alongwith Ramanuja's young wife. They were also

overjoyed to see he had returnedsafely. They then began to cook offerings for

Lord Narayana, and, just asthey were serving prasadam, Kancipurna, who had heard

of Ramanuja's arrival,came there. The two devotees warmly embraced one another,

and Ramanujainvited Kancipurna to take prasadam as their honored guest. That

night thefeelings of joy in that small house were practically unlimited.