Sri Ramanujacharya 4

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

 

YAMUNACARYA'S ILLNESS

Ever since the day he had seen Ramanuja in Kancipuram, the agedYamunacarya had

been thinking of him and praying to Lord Visnu for hisdeliverance. He longed for

the day on which Ramanuja would give up theassociation of Yadavaprakasa and take

full shelter of the Vaisnavas. It waswith this hope in mind that he composed his

wonderful prayer known as theStotra-ratna, which is adored by devotees even to

this day. A few days after the composition of the Stotra-ratna, Yamunacaryafell

gravely ill and was unable to rise from his bed. However, even in thisprecarious

position, hovering between life and death, he continued to preachthe glories of

the Lord. Fearing the imminent departure of their guru,various disciples put

questions before him. Tiruvaranga asked, "If LordNarayana is beyond mind and

speech, how is it possible to serve Him?" Yamunacarya replied, "The best way to

serve Lord Narayana is toserve His pure devotees. In addition you should serve

the Deity form of theLord, even as the blessed Kancipurna serves Lord

Varadaraja. All problemsare resolved by the statement of the Mahabharata,

mahajano yena gatah sapanthah -'Just follow the example set by the great

devotees'." Looking intothe eyes of his dear disciple, Alabandara continued,

"For myself, my onlyrefuge now is the lotus feet of Tirumangai, that noble

mahatma who servedLord Ranganatha so perfectly in ancient times." On hearing

these words from his guru, Tiruvaranga's eyes filled withtears and he spoke

again in a voice choked with grief, "Have you decidedwithout doubt to leave this

world now?" Alabandara smiled slightly and replied softly, "How is it that sucha

wise man as yourself is to be seen lamenting for that which is inevitable?Do you

not yet understand that everything happens only by the will of LordNarayana. Our

position is to simply accept whatever mercy He bestows uponus, giving up the

dualities of happiness and distress." At that moment two other disciples decided

they would commit suicideas soon as Yamunacarya left this world. These two were

Mahapurna andTirukkotiyurpurna. Another disciple came forward shedding tears and

crying out, "Wherewill any of us go for shelter after your disappearance? Whose

sweet wordswill inspire us to acts of greater devotion?" Yamunacarya placed his

hand on the disciple's head, saying, "Mychild, there is no need for anxiety, for

Lord Ranganatha is there. He hasgiven you shelter in the past, He is giving you

shelter now and willcontinue to protect you in the future. Always go and pray

before LordRanganatha and sometimes go to see Venkatesa at Tirupati and

Varadaraja atKanci. In this way how will you be without shelter?" When

Tiruvaranga asked whether the body should be buried orcremated, Alabandara gave

no reply, for his mind was fixed on the lotus feetof Lord Narayana.LORD

RANGANATHA SAVES HIS DEVOTEES The next day there was a special procession in

Rangaksetra, and theDeity of Lord Ranganatha was carried from the temple on a

palanquin. Hugecrowds of people had gathered from all the surrounding villages

to see theLord as He passed along the road. The disciples of Yamunacarya were

also inattendance. Suddenly one of the pujaris serving the Lord seemed to go

into atrance, as if possessed. He spoke out, clearly addressing Mahapurna

andTirukkotiyurpurna, "Give up your resolution to commit suicide. It is

notapproved by Me." After this wonderful event, all the disciples quickly

returned tothe bedside of Yamunacarya to tell him what had happened. He then

gave themfurther instructions. "To commit suicide is a great sin, and to save

youfrom such an act Lord Ranganatha Himself has spoken to you. Such is

Hisboundless mercy." Alabandara then fell silent, and his eyes closed as

heseemed to go deep into meditation. After a while he spoke again. "This is

myfinal instruction to all of you. Offer flowers at the lotus feet of the

Lordand always try to follow your gurus order. Destroy all false ego by

servingthe Vaisnavas". Then he gave all his disciples over to the care

ofTiruvaranga and fell silent once more.MAHAPURNA IS SENT TO KANCI However,

Yamunacarya did not depart from the world at this time, anda few days later, to

everyone's surprise, he seemed to recover from hisillness. He left his asrama

and took darsana of Lord Ranganatha, just as hehad done previously. Everyone was

inspired to hear him talk again about theglories of Lord Visnu. One day two

brahmanas from Kancipuram arrived to see Yamunacarya,having heard of his

imminent departure from the world. They were surprisedto find the great acarya

sitting up and discussing the scriptures,apparently fully recovered from his

sickness. When Yamunacarya learned thetwo brahmanas were from Kancipuram, he

immediately inquired from them aboutthe welfare of Ramanuja. They told him he

had now given up hearing fromYadavaprakasa and was studying the scriptures

alone. Yamunacarya was verypleased to hear that the young devotee was now freed

from the dangers ofhearing mayavada philosophy, and there and then he composed

eight versesglorifying the mercy of the Lord upon His devotees. He then

instructed Mahapurna, one of his senior disciples, "Pleasego to Kanci and bring

Ramanuja here, for I long to see him in the midst ofour company of Vaisnavas."

Mahapurna offered obeisances at the feet of hisguru, and that same day he

departed to carry out his order.DISAPPEARANCE OF YAMUNACARYA A few days after

the departure of Mahapurna, Alabandara's body wasafflicted with sickness once

more. Despite the intence pain he had toundergo, he still took his bath and went

to the temple to see LordRanganatha, the Lord of his heart. He took a little

maha-prasada and thenreturned to the asrama, where he called for all of his

householder disciplesto come to him. First of all, in a mood of great humility,

he begged them to forgiveany offense that he might have made towards them. He

then asked them to takecare of the brahmacari and sannyasi disciples who were

living at the asrama.Finally, Yamunacarya gave his last instruction to his

householder disciples."Every day you should rise early and go to the temple to

worship LordRanganatha, smelling the flowers that have been offered to His lotus

feet.In this way your mind and intelligence will become purified, and you

willbecome fixed in your devotion to Lord Narayana. In addition you shouldalways

be devoted to your spiritual master and be attentive in servingguests." When the

householder disciples had left, Alabandara sat in a lotusposition and

concentrated his mind on the feet of Lord Hari. The remainingdisciples began to

chant the holy name of Lord Narayana in congregation,accompanied by the sweet

sounds of the flute and other instruments. AsYamunacarya became even more deeply

immersed in thoughts of the SupremePersonality of Godhead, tears of ecstasy ran

down his cheeks and his bodybegan to tremble. In this ecstatic state of

devotional love the great acaryagave up his body and returned to the lotus feet

of the Supreme Lord, hiseternal, beloved master. Immediately the kirtana

stopped, and many of the disciples began tocry aloud in lamentation, while

others fainted and fell unconscious to theground. After some time the sannyasis

and Yamunacarya's son, Purna,collected themselves and began to make preparations

for the funeralceremony. The body was washed and dressed in new clothes before

being placedon a decorated palanquin. Then, in slow procession, they carried

thepalanquin down to the banks of the Kaveri River, followed by almost all

theinhabitants of Sri Rangam. There, amidst great lamentation, the body of

thepure devotee was buried, as is the custom for those who have achieved

theperfectional stage of devotional service.MEETING WITH MAHAPURNA Meanwhile, on

the order of his guru, Mahapurna journeyed toKancipuram and arrived there after

travelling steadily for four days. Heimmediately went to the temple to see Lord

Varadaraja, and as he was leavinghe happened to meet Kancipurna, who invited him

to spend the night at hisasrama. The two devotees passed the evening in

discussing topics about theLord. Early the next morning they set out together

for the holy well and,as they approached, saw Ramanuja coming with a water jug

on his shoulder toperform his daily service for Lord Varadaraja. Kancipurrna

said, "I mustleave you now to worship the Lord in the temple. Here is Ramanuja;

go andtell him of your intentions." Mahapurna was very happy to see the

effulgent young devotee comingtowards him, appearing so pure and free from the

vices of this world.Instinctively he began to chant prayers from Yamunacarya's

Stotra-ratna.Hearing these beautiful hymns in praise of Lord Narayana being sung

in sucha sweet voice, Ramanuja stood silently, listening intently to the

verses.Then he approached Mahapurna and inquired, "Sir, who has composed

thesewonderful verses, that so sweetly praise the qualities of the Supreme

Lord?Just by yor singing this morning my heart has been uplifted.These hymns

were composed by my spiritual master, the venerableYamunacarya," Mahapurna

replied. Ramanuja was very pleased to hear the name of the famous devotee,but he

inquired in a concerned voice, "I had heard that the great Alabandarawas

afflicted by illness. Is he now recovered? How long is it since you werein his

presence?It is but five days since I left the side of my

guru-maharaja,"replied Mahapurna, "and at that time he had just recovered from

hissickness." Ramanuja was relieved to hear this news, and, being anxious

toassociate further with the saintly Mahapurna, he invited him to stay at

hishouse. Then Mahapurna explained the purpose of his coming to Kancipuram.

"Ihave come to this holy city at the request of the great soul

Yamunacarya,simply to meet with you and invite you, on his behalf, to come

toRangaksetra, so that we may have your association." Ramanuja could hardly

believe such an exalted devotee was even awareof his existence, let alone being

desirous of his association. However,Mahapurna reassured him by saying, "My

master wishes to see you, and it isfor this purpose alone that I have come here.

His health has been muchimpaired by repeated illness, and, although he now seems

a little better, Ithink that we should start immediately if you wish to fulfill

his desire." Ramanuja was so pleased by this unexpected news that he could

onlyascribe his good fortune to the mercy of Lord Varadaraja. Excitedly he

saidto Mahapurna, "Please wait here for a short while until I have deliveredthis

water to the temple and taken the Lord's permission to leave." Saying this he

hurried off towards the temple. Just a short timelater he returned, all ready to

start on the journey. Mahapurna asked, "Whatabout your family? Should you not

first inform them of your intentions?Obedience to the order of the guru is

more important than anyconsiderations of household life," replied Ramanuja. "Let

us depart at once,for I am eager to see Sri Yamunacarya."ARRIVAL IN SRI RANGAM

Thus, they set out on their journey southwards towards the holy cityof Sri

Rangam. Each evening they would stop for the night at the home ofsome pious

brahmana devotee, and during the day they would travel with allpossible haste.

In this way they arrived at the banks of the Kaveri River infour days and

immediately crossed over to Sri Rangam. They had intended togo straight away to

the asrama of Yamunacarya, which was close to the templeof Lord Ranganatha, but

they found the road blocked by a large crowd ofpeople. When Mahapurna asked the

reason for this great assembly, one manreplied, "Sir, what can I say? The earth

is now bereft of its most beautifulgem, for Mahatma Alabandara has returned to

the abode of the Lord." When he heard these words, Ramanuja immediately fainted

and fell tothe ground unconscious, while Mahapurna cried aloud in anguish,

beating hisforehead with the palms of his hands. After some time, Mahapurna

composedhimself, and, seeing Ramanuja still lying unconscious on the ground,

hefetched some water and sprinkled it over the young man's face. When

Ramanujaslowly opened his eyes, he heard these words of consolation, "Do not

beoverwhelmed by grief, for we can be sure that everything is taking place bythe

will of Lord Narayana. Now let us go and see that pure form before it

isinterred."RAMANUJA'S THREE VOWS Ramanuja followed Mahapurna to the banks of

the Kaveri. When theysaw the body of Yamunacarya, Mahapurna fell at his feet,

bathing them withtears, while Ramanuja stood still, looking at the great

Vaisnava. Althoughthe life air had passed from the body, Alabandara's face was

still sereneand untouched by the shadow of death. Ramanuja stood there

transfixed, justgazing, as if in a trance, at the face of that great devotee.

Suddenly thecrowds fell silent and turned to look at Ramanuja, for it seemed

thatsomehow he was able to transcend the barrier of death and be fully in

thepresence of Sri Yamunacarya. After a while Ramanuja said, "I see that three

fingers ofAlabandara's right hand are folded and clenched tight. Were they like

thatduring his lifetime?" The disciples who were close by replied, "No, his

fingers used toremain straight. We cannot guess why they are like this now."

Ramanuja then declared aloud, "Remaining fixed in devotion to LordVisnu, I shall

free the people from illusion by spreading the glories of theLord throughout the

land" As these words were spoken, one of the fingersrelaxed and became straight.

Ramanuja spoke again, saying, "To establish that there is no truthbeyond Lord

Visnu, I shall write the Sri-bhasya commentary on theVedanta-sutra." At this the

second of Yamunacarya's fingers became straight. Ramanuja declared again, "In

order to show respect to the sageParasara, who has so wonderfully described the

glories of the Lord in theVisnu Purana, I shall name one learned Vaisnava after

him." With this finalstatement, the last of Alabandara's fingers relaxed and

became straight. When they saw this wonderful occurrence, everyone there was

filledwith amazement. They could now understand that Yamunacarya's three

tightlyheld fingers represented his three unfulfilled desires, namely, to

preachthe glories of the Lord all over India, to compile a complete

Vaisnavacommentary on the Vedanta-sutra, which would nullify the atheistic

doctrinesof the impersonalists, and to honor the sage Parasara by naming a

discipleafter him. Now, Ramanuja's statements confirmed that he would complete

thework Alabandara had begun.RETURN TO KANCI Before the body was buried in the

samadhi tomb on the banks of theKaveri, Ramanuja had left Sri Rangam to return

to Kancipuram. Yamunacarya'sdisciples had asked him to take darsan of Lord

Ranganatha, but he hadrefused, saying, "I do not wish to see this cruel form of

the Lord, whowould not grant my most cherished desire and who has taken away the

lord ofmy heart." Then, he had departed without speaking another word to anyone.

>From that day on Ramanuja's personality changed and he became muchmore grave and

serious. He was now even more reluctant to spend time in thecompany of

nondevotees. For long periods he would remain alone, studyingthe scriptures,

and he found true happiness only in the company ofKancipurna.