Ramanujacarya (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 her

son for so many months, but, understanding the meritorious nature of such a

venture, she gave him her permission to go. So it was that, at an auspicious

moment, the band of disciples, headed by Yadavaprakasa, started out on the

pilgrimage. After a few days traveling they came to a desolate region near

the Vindhya Hills. Yadavaprakasa considered that this would be a suitable

place to put his evil plan into operation, and he told his disciples to

prepare themselves. However, while they were discussing the final

preparations, Govinda was in the forest nearby, and he heard everything they

said. As soon as he had the opportunity, he informed Ramanuja of the great

danger he was in.

 

When he understood the wicked intentions of his teacher and fellow

students, Ramanuja left the party and fled into the forest. When his absence

was noticed, Yadavaprakasa sent some of the boys into the forest to search

for him, but when no one replied to their calls, they concluded that

Ramanuja must have been killed by some wild beast. Although secretly very

pleased by this apparent turn of events, because of Govinda's presence, they

all pretended to be very much aggrieved. Yadavaprakasa spoke to Govinda,

instructing him about the temporary nature of the body and bodily

relationships, thus revealing his cunning and treacherous nature.

 

 

MEETING WITH THE HUNTER

 

When Ramanuja heard from Govinda of the plot that was threatening

his life, he was at first stunned and completely bewildered, it was just

half 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 felt

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

considered, "Is Lord Narayana not the protector of His devotees? Therefore

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

turned his face resolutely towards the south and began walking quickly

through the forest. Sometimes he thought he could hear faint voices calling

him in the distance, but he never hesitated and continued on his course.

 

He travelled for most of the night, until eventually, exhausted by

hunger and fatigue, he rested beneath a large tree. He awoke the following

day, refreshed and vigorous once more. Already it was afternoon, and so he

prepared to continue on his journey. While he was considering which

direction he should take, he saw a fowler couple approaching him. The

hunter's wife said to him, "Is it because you have lost your way that you

are 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 this

dense forest, which is infested with robbers and wild animals?" asked the

hunter. "I know Kancipuram very well, and, as it happens, we are also going

in that direction" Ramanuja was very surprised to hear this, and so he

asked, "Where are you from and for what reason are you going to Kanci?"

 

"We are forest dwellers," came the reply, "and live in a small

village near the Vindhya Mountains. Because we have made our livelihood by

catching birds, we are now going on pilgrimage to Ramesvaram and Kancipuram

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

that the Supreme Lord, who gives shelter to everyone, has brought you to us

for protection."

 

At first Ramanuja was a little afraid of the tall, dark-skinned

stranger, but there was something about the affection in his face and the

sweetness of his words that quickly dispelled all the misgivings from the

young 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 the

night 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 of

the river. The fowler collected some pieces of wood and lit a fire. Then he

prepared a camp site, so that they could spend the night there. Just before

he fell asleep, Ramanuja heard the fowler's wife say to her husband, "My

dear, 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 foolish

to leave the shelter of the firelight. Tomorrow you will be able to quench

your 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 down

the steps to collect water for the wife of the fowler. Three times he

brought water to her, but still her thirst was not satisfied. When he came

back for the fourth time, there was no trace of the couple to be seen. They

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

Laksmi and Narayana, who had taken the forms of a fowler and his wife just

to 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 reputed

city of Kancipuram?" he replied. "Why are you speaking like a stranger? I

know that you are one of Yadavaprakasa's students, and I have seen you many

times in the city."

 

Saying this the man continued on his way without waiting for a

reply. At first Ramanuja was taken completely by surprise at this

unbelievable news, but gradually he began to realize how Laksmidevi and Lord

Narayana had bestowed their mercy upon him. Then his heart became filled

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

began to offer prayers:

 

namo brahmanya-devaya

go-brahmana hitaya ca

jagad-dhitdya krsnaya

govindaya namo namah

 

 

RAMANUJA'S RETURN

 

For over an hour Ramanuja remained at the well, rapt in ecstasy,

reciting Queen Kunti's prayers from the Srimad-Bhagavatam in glorification

of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Eventually three women carrying water

pitchers approached the well, and, upon seeing them, Ramanuja controlled his

emotions 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 doorway

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

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

filled with happiness and began to inquire from him, "My dear child, how is

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

be at least six months before you returned from your pilgrimage to the holy

Ganges."

 

When the whole story had been related to her, Kantimati was

horrified by the evil intentions of Yadavaprakasa, but also delighted to

hear of the great mercy the Lord had shown her son. At that moment

Ramanuja's aunt, Diptimati, the mother of Govinda, came to the house along

with Ramanuja's young wife. They were also overjoyed to see he had returned

safely. They then began to cook offerings for Lord Narayana, and, just as

they were serving prasadam, Kancipurna, who had heard of Ramanuja's arrival,

came there. The two devotees warmly embraced one another, and Ramanuja

invited Kancipurna to take prasadam as their honored guest. That night the

feelings of joy in that small house were practically unlimited.