One for all

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One for all

 

Rama anuja: Ramas's younger brother, Lakshmana. He sacrificed himself

for the good of whole of Ayodhya. Once a maharishi, Yama in disguise

came to confer with Rama. Ramarajya was about to end. The maharishi

wanted an one on one meeting with the emperor.Lakshmana the

personification of selfless servitude was instructed not to allow

anyone inside. He was warned that death was the penalty in case of

infringement. Rama reiterated the warning to Ramanuja. This was the

same Rama who had told Seetha in the forest that His vow was more

dear to Him than she or Lakshmana. Lakshmana as was his inherent

quality confidently took up position to prevent anyone from

disturbing the tete a tete.

 

Inside, Yama implored Rama to return to His eternal abode. Rama

acqusied and began thinking about the way to go about it. He

accomplishes creation and dissolution by mere contemplation.The first

step was to send Lakshmana, the incarnation of Adisesha,His bed,seat

etc. etc... back to Paramapada. He set the process rolling...

 

Outsidethe alert Lakshmana spotted a venerable figure approaching his

station. The matted locks, the brilliant visage and the red eyes

could belong to but one rishi. Durvasa the human form of wrath.

Lakshmana as was his wont greeted the sage respectfully. Durvasa told

Ramanuja that he wanted to meet Rama. Lakshmana demurred. Durvasa

repeated his wish to seek Rama's audience. Lakshmana refused entry

explaining the circumstances to the rishi. Durvasa who had a very low

flash point threatened Lakshmana with annihilation but Lakshmana

refused to cave in. The irate sage than threatened that not only

Lakshmana but Ayodhya in its entirety would be razed if entry was

denied.

 

Lakshmana was totally oblivious to his fate but was very sensitive to

the well being of others. Choosing his own demise over the

destruction of his beloved kingdomhe allowed the angry sage inside.

Once Durvasa left, Rama was confronted with the distasteful task of

castigating His younger brother. The only option was the death

sentence. He asked the maharishi's advice who told Him that all He

had to do was send His younger brother away. To Lakshmana separation

from Rama was verily death.

 

Rama heavy heartedly excommunicated Lakshmana who directly went to

the bank of Sarayu, shed his mortal coil and ascended to SriVaikuntam

preparatory to Rama's return.

 

Thus did that Ramanuja sacrifice himself for the common good in

Tretha yuga.

 

Another Ramanuja did the same in Kali yuga.

 

Ramanuja who was tutored by six acharyas was tetsed seveteen times by

Thirukoshtiyur nambi, one among the six, before he condescended to

teach him at the eighteenth visit. To commemorate this Namperumal

bathes eighteen times on the night of Panguni utthiram along with His

consort Ranganayaki at Srirangam.

 

Thirukoshtiyur nambi imparted the esoteric meanings of the

asthakshara, dvaya and charama sloka to Ramanuja as per the teachings

of Aalavandar. He cautioned Ramanuja to test his disciples severely

in a like manner before teaching them the same. Ramanuja completed

his tutelage at the feet of Thirukoshtiyur nambi and took leave.

 

His first act was to climb to the top of the octagonal vimana of the

temple of the gentle Sowmyanarayana and ask all those who were

interested to come to him. He then explained to the heterogenous

gathering the essence of the charama sloka of Bhagvad Githa. He

exhorted them to take refuge at Srimannarayana's feet and escape from

the bondage of rebirths. The crowd listened to him spellbound.

 

Thirukoshtiyur nambi was informed of Ramanuja's action and he came

out of his home full of ire. You have disobeyed your acharya, he

admonished Ramanuja. You'll have to pay a heavy price, you'll be

pushed to the most terrible nethermost naraka.

 

An unperturbed Ramanuja said most respectfully that for the benefit

of many he a single man, was prepared to descend to hell. This moved

Thirukoshtiyur nambi to tears who embraced Ramanuja and gave him the

title of My Lord!, Emperumanarey!!

 

These Anantha avatharas are always paraopkari it seems! kuresadasan