Life of Ramanuja : English Documentary : Srimad Bhagavat Ramanujacharya

June 4, 2005

Source: The Hindu

Life of Ramanuja

English Documentary : Srimad Bhagavat Ramanujacharya

Price: Rs. 175 (CD)

Ramanuja was an important member of the school of Sri Vaishnavism so called

because Sridevi, the Goddess Lakshmi, is said to be its propounder. Total

surrender to the Almighty was the key feature of Sri Vaishnavism and its

philosophy was described as Visistadvaita.

Ramanuja was born to Asuri Kesavachariar and Kantimathi in Sriperumbudur, a

small village not far from Chennai, in the year 1017 A.D. He received

higher-level education from the Advaitin teacher, Yadhava Prakasa. He was

married to Thanjambal at probably the age of 16.

Yamunacharya, a great preceptor in Srirangam decided that Ramanuja should become

his successor, but as fate would have it Yamuna died before this could happen.

When Ramanuja was taken to pay his last respects to the guru, he found that

three of Yamuna's fingers in the right hand were folded into the palm. Ramanuja

understood that this was a message to him and pronounced three vows. As soon as

these three vows were taken by Ramanuja, Yamuna's hand became wide open.

Many such colourful incidents in Ramanuja's life like the meeting with the

hunter couple who were none other than the Lord and His celestial consort, the

Brahmarakshasa episode, the Guru Yadhavaprakasa becoming the student of his own

disciple Ramanuja, the initiation by Goshti Purna into the most sacred

Ashtakshari mantra, the Melakote temple near Mysore that Ramanuja built and

where he stayed for 22 years etc. are all well covered in this album.

This release of Sea Records is a valuable asset not only to followers of

Hinduism, but even to many who are interested in widening their horizons about

various religions other than their own.

The delightful visuals, the excellent narration by P. C. Ramakrishna, the

soothing musical backdrop and the appropriate script do add to the quality of

this effort.

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly

prohibited without the consent of The Hindu

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