Random Reflections on Ramanuja

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RANDOM REFLECTIONS ON RAMANUJAAnbil Ramaswamy===================================================================1. Bhagavad Ramanuja’s Millennium CelebrationsBhagavad Ramanuja was born in 1017 A.D. We will be celebrating 1000th Tirunakshatram of Emperumaanaar in less than a decade from now in 2017 on a grand scale. It would be necessary to remove some misconceptions doing the rounds about him. 2. Vaishnavam today in the U.S.A.Way back in the early 1980s during my first visit to the USA, whenever I mentioned the word “Hinduism”, the first response of the Westerner (and even our own people who had lost their moorings to our traditions having settled here for long, not to speak of kids born and brought up here without even an iota of exposure to our Sat Sampradayam) was “Oh! I know. You are talking about Buddha!?” These people did not know that Hinduism and Buddhism were poles apart. The next best bet was “Oh! I know! You are talking about Adhi Sankara”. This second category seems to have had some familiarity with “Hinduism”, thanks to aggressive marketing of vested interests, equating Hindu philosophy with just the Advaita philosophy. In the last few years, however, world populations have come to know about our great Acharyas like Bhagavad Ramanuja, Swami Desika and MaNavaaLa MaamunigaL as formidable forces to be reckoned with, recognized and revered. A very heartening news is that people who never ever heard of these names before now come together to celebrate Achaarya Vaibhavam Conferences in different cities (and temples, in particular) especially in USA, Bahrain, Kuwait, England, Indonesia, Singapore and other places on the Tiru Nakashatram days of these Achaaryas. Participating in the study of Vedas, Saastras, StOtras and Azhwars’ Divya Prabandams etc. organized by different SrivaishNava groups have become a routine these days. This is in no small measure due to the efforts of these various SrivaishNava groups that have been straining every nerve to disabuse false impressions and familiarize them with the life histories and works of these great Savants, the lineage of Acharyas in general and the Parama Vaideeka Matham of Srivaishnavam also known as “Ramanuja Darsanam” The pioneer of this movement is “Swami Desika Darsana Satsangam” (SDDS) which held the FIRST EVER SrivaishNava Conference in U.S.A. in 1996. 3. Ramanuja’s Birth The less known fact even among Srivaishnavas about this well known Achaarya by whose name SrivaishNava philosophy is called 'Ramanuja Darsanam' was a 'Vadama' by birth. (Authority: "Periya Thrumudi ADaivu, PazhanaDai ViLakkam and Visishtaadvaita Catechism") It would appear that during the days of Bhagavad Ramanuja, the word “vaDama” was not equated with “Smaarta”” or “Iyer” as is being done today. It is, however, not clear whether “vaDamas” were deemed to be a part of “VaishNavas” Be that as it may, this is a “win-win” situation for both Vadamas and Vaishnavas. Vadamas can claim that it is one of their clan who came to be hailed as "Sri Vaishnava Siddhanta Nirdhaarana Saarva bouma" while Vaishnavas can claim how catholic and open-minded was VaishNavam - in acknowledging the greatness of one who was born a “Non-VaishNava” as their own undisputed master! Is it not said that the natural evolution for VaDama is to transform into a VaishNava”? (“VaDama muthinaal Vaishnava”) 4. Nindaa SthuthiThere is what is known as “Nindaa Sthuthi” in which an attempt to praise someone would appear to be disparaging but in reality a full throated shower of panegyric. For Nindaa Sthuthi, we have the classic example in Slokam 13 of Swami Desika’s “Godha Sthuthi” in which the peers of Andal are shown as making fun of her choosing for her husband (Svayamvarapathi), Lord Ranganatha whose bed was a serpent (naagEsaya), who rode on a bird (pakshiratha:) and one who was so old as not to know his own age! (Purusha: puraaNa They were in fact, applauding her choosing as spouse the Paramapurusha reclining on AdisEsha, riding on the divine bird-vehicle of GaruDa and who is the Primordial Paramaatma. Similarly, the songs “yEn paLLIkkoNDeer ayyaa?”(in mOhana Ragam) and “NaDamaaDi thirinda umadu iDadu kaal udavaamal muDamaagi pOnadu” (in KambOdi Raagam) seem to deprecate the respective deities but, in fact, convey the opposite. Some groups in USA probably drawing inspiration from their counterparts in India have been disseminating misleading information about Bhagavad Ramanuja either deliberately or unintentionally in an obvious attempt to “glorify” him. May be, we can call the attempts of these enthusiasts as “Sthuthi-nindaa” because while professing to praise him with the best of intentions, they are actually besmirching the glory of Ramanuja. Let us look at some of the “Sthuthi-nindaas” churned out by these enthusiasts.

 

5. Ramanuja’s schooling

We know the story of how Ramanuja being a “Vadama” was initially placed under the Advaitic Sannyasi called Yadava Prakasa and how they had differences of opinion on interpretations of some Vedantic statements and how the master plotted to kill him by drowning him in Ganga while on a pilgrimage tour and how thanks to his cousin, Govinda, he escaped death and how Lord Varadaraja and PerundEvi Thaayaar led him to safety to Kanchipuram.

 

This episode may be historically correct but these enthusiasts doggedly repeat it ‘ad nauseum’ forgetting that the same Yadava Prakasa, on return to Kaanchi subsequently, became Ramanuja's disciple assuming the name of “Govinda Yogi”. When Bhagavad Ramanuja himself had forgotten the faults of Yadhava Prakaasa and forgiven him by accepting him as his Sishya, any criticism of the indiscretions of Govinda Yogi in his “Poorva Asramam” would seem to be a disapproval of Ramanuja’s forgiving him and will be totally unwarranted. Even if it is claimed to vouch for the “glory” of Ramanuja’s magnanimity, a repetition in season and out of season of the earlier episode does not seem to redound to his credit.

 

6. TirukkOsTtiyur Episode

The seat of Achaarya at Srirangam was lying vacant without a successor to take over. He was prevailed upon to assume charge. But, before doing so, he wanted to equip himself with the secrets of the three great Mantras. For this purpose, he approached one "Tiruk KOshTiyur Nambi" who made him come several times before actually instructing him. He cautioned Ramanuja that he should not give out the secrets to all and sundry and if he did so, he would go to hell. The story goes that immediately on receiving the instructions, Ramanuja climbed up to the top of tympanum of the temple and proclaimed to the large gathering of his disciples assembled there to follow his example. One of the tale bearers rushed to Nambi to complain that Ramanuja was giving out the Mantras. Nambi was enraged and demanded an explanation. Ramanuja replied that he did not give out the secrets and even if he had transgressed the specific warning of the Guru, only he himself would go to hell but the multitude of humanity that listened to his clarion “wake – up” call would be saved spiritually. The Guru was overwhelmed by this reply. Embracing Ramanuja appreciating his broad-mindedness, he called him “Emperumanar ”- "Oh! My lord" and declared that Srivaishnavam would thenceforward be known as "Ramanuja Darsanam"- “the light of Ramanuja”

 

The popular belief that he gave out the Mantras to a motley crowd comprising of all castes and even outcastes is not correct. What he actually gave out was that he had found out the way to attain mOksha through the three great Mantras he secured from Nambi and invited those who sincerely wished to follow him to go get initiated by Nambi.

 

Also, he did not advise “all and sundry” as assumed by some. By the time of this episode, he had already gathered a considerable number of disciples who accompanied him at the Southern entrance to the temple and he was thus addressing his own disciples. This is another less known fact about the well known Achaarya.

 

The enthusiasts, no doubt, wish to “glorify” Ramanuja as being broadminded as to publicly reveal the mantras openly to all and sundry but they forget that in the process they damage both his knowledge and his actions. Did not Hitler’s misinformation Minister, Goebelles postulate that a lie constantly repeated will be believed to be true? And, the funny thing is that this lie is being repeated parrot-like even by genuine Ramanuja Bhaktas!

In fact, in Andhra, they used to say “raamaanujulu gOpuram ekki Tirumantram Cheppinaaru”

 

Kaanchi Mahavidwaan P.B. ANNangarachariar observes in his book “Amuda Mozhi Aayiram” that seeing how Ramanuja himself had to take considerable pains to visit Nambi 18 times for initiation, his Sishyas requested him to help them with the treasure. And, he agreed to advise the “purport” - NOT THE MANTRAM itself, that too to a select audience of his own Sishyas in the limited enclosure.

 

“MaamunigaL in ChhorNikai 204 of his Achaarya Hridayam observed “thaaikkum maganukkum tambikkum ivarkkum ivar adi paNindavarkkumE ivai uLLadu” and “palakaal naDandu tuvaNDu kETTa paramaarthathai olakkamaaga vaithu upadEsithum”. The word “olakkamaaga” does not mean that he “scattered’ the Mantram to all and sundry as if it were like disbursing currency notes. He was not engaged in any kind of “body shopping spree" for mass recruitment for VaishNavam nor had he any need to do so! His mission was totally different. He was engaged in demolishing the flaws and faults in the arguments of “Poorva Pakshins” and establishing “Siddhaantam” on “terra firma” as evidenced in “VEdaanta Saaram”, “VEdaanta Deepam” and his magnum opus, “Sree Bhaashyam”.

 

H.H. Srirangam Srimad Andavan, Sri Rangaramanuja Mahaa Desikan observes that in the context of referring to Dvayam in Gadhya Trayam, Ramanuja wrote “atra dvayam” without giving out the sacred Mantram itself. It is, therefore, not appropriate to hold that he indiscriminately “scattered” (Vaari iraithal) of the sacred Rahasya Mantram of AshTaaksharam. (Vide Page 68 of December 2003 issue of Sri Ranganatha Paaduka).

 

“Nothing happened on top of the Gopuram” says the erudite Editor, who adds “When Ramanuja concealed even Dvayam that can be advised to all (as it does not contain PraNavam), it is not correct to conclude that he revealed AshTaaksharam” which is “Rahasyam” (Secret) and NOT a “Sadasyam” (That which can be announced in public)

 

Also, in VaikunTa Gadhyam where reference had to be made of “Moola Mantram”, Ramanuja did not spell it out but only said “Sreemataa moola mantrENa…Aatmaanam bhaghavatE nivEdayEt”

 

“Even assuming that he addressed the audience from the top of the GOpuram, it cannot be a large crowd of thousands of people. This is because in those days when “Temple Entry” was not even thought of, the cramped space in the temple premises would not permit any more than say, a hundred of his Sishyas as the ground floor was hidden by a tall rampart wall and there was no facility available for microphone or megaphone or any kind of “Public address system”

 

Was Ramanuja ignorant of the direction in SEsha Samhitai (14-50) that while one should bring to light the glory of the Guru, one should not give out the secret mantras under any circumstances?

 

Gurum prakaasayEt dheemaan mantram yatnEna gOpayEt/

Aprakaasa-prakaasaabhyaam ksheeyatE sampad-aayushee//

 

Are the enthusiasts “glorifying” Ramanuja or denigrating him?

 

7. Did Emperumaanaar disobey Emperumaan?

Some hold that the Lord desired Ramanuja to live on earth for 200 years to serve SrivaishNavam but he returned to Paramapadam on attaining the age of barely 120 years and the Lord “sent him back” as MaNavaaLa Maamunigal to complete his term. This is another oft-repeated theory like the TirukkOshTiyur episode and made popular by the same technique.

 

This, however, does not seem to be logical –

1. It is hard to imagine Yathirajar violating his tenure stipulated by the Lord and committing “agjnaa adhilanganam”!

 

Such an interpretation would be blasphemous both to Bhagavad Ramanuja and Bhagavaan himself!

It does not add any credit or glory to either Emperumaan or Emperumaanaar!

 

2. If he were reborn, how would he sing paens of praise on himself as in “Yathiraja VImsati” and “Aarthi Prabandam”?

Except the Lord who sang on his own praise, none else could venture in such “Svaatma Prasamsaa” (Self- Glorification).

Did not Nammaazhwar say “thun sollaal thaan thannaik keerthitha maayan”? (Tiruvouimozhi 7.9.2)

 

3. Swami Desika attained Paramapadam in 1369 (Sowmya, Kaarthigai, Krittigai). MaamunigaL’s Avataaram was in 1370 (SaadaaraNa, Aippasi, Moolam) just within a period of “Garbha vaasam”. Perhaps, it might be more appropriate to conclude that he was the “Apara Avataaram” (Reincarnation) of Swami Desika than that of Bhaashyakaarar.

 

4. We see the sentiments expressed earlier by Swami Desika being echoed faithfully in almost all the works of MaamunigaL.

Perhaps, Swami Desika desired to further clarify with “footnotes” for his otherwise monumental works, by reincarnating as MaamunigaL.

 

8. Did Ramanuja climb the Tirumalai hills kneeling all the way up?

A story that is currently doing the rounds is that Ramanuja climbed Tirumalai hills not once but on three different occasions kneeling all the way up to worship TiruvEnkaTamuDaiyaan. The reason dished out is that he considered the hills so holy that it would have been an “apachaaram” to put his feet “down” to walk “up”!

There is no mention of such a practice in any Grantham of Swami Desika or in the “Guru Paramparaa Saaram” of Thriteeya Parakaala Swami.

If the Azhwaars or UDaiyavar or Swami Desika had resorted to this, certainly they would have made reference to this.

 

This appears to be one more “aithihya” - a yarn spun by some in an attempt to show Ramanuja as “holier than” his very Achaarya Periya Tirumalai Nambi who was a “Permanent Resident” in Tirumalai itself. (Green card holder in the parlance of U.S.A!)

 

Would Ramanuja ever dare to show his master in such a poor light compared to himself and commit “Achaarya apachaaram” - an “asahya apachaaram” in his own words?

(Authority: Veeravalli GanapaaDi Desikachariar Swami on pp 53-54 of October 2003 Issue of “Sri Ranganatha Paduka”).

 

May be, the protagonists would be happy if told that Ramanuja might have used a helicopter to reach the top of the hills!

Even so, on reaching the top, he would have had to set his foot to walk up to the Sanctum Sanctorum!

 

9. Ramanuja’s body preserved for nearly a thousand years?

It is held by some that the physical body of Bhagavad Ramanuja, the greatest SrivaishNava Achaarya (1107 – 1137 AD) is preserved to this today for nearly 1000 years in a sitting posture in all its pristine state unostentatiously, without any fanfare or publicity and without using any of the chemical preservatives employed by the Egyptian and Goan models except for an occasional coating of edible camphor (Pachai Karpooram) in the Sannidhi (Sanctum Sanctorum) dedicated to him on the southeast corner on the fifth round within the Srirangam temple as ordered by Lord Ranganatha himself.

 

- If this were true, it would indeed be a great event far exceeding the preservation of the mummies of Egypt and the body of St. Xavier in Goa in India that thrill enthusiasts into hysterical brouhaha about them.

 

- If this were true, it is intriguing how even some Srivaishnavas are not aware of such a breathtaking event for so long that here in Srirangam, their holiest place hailed as “BhulOka VaikunTam” (Heaven on Earth) such a thing has happened.

 

This, however, cannot be dismissed as mere hearsay because I have actually seen with my own eyes not once but on two occasions when the priest in the Sanctum took off the plates shielding the scalp, the forearm and the fingers of the great Achaarya and showed them. I was told that as the general public is not allowed as a matter of routine to witness this, the priest would show only to a select few and on special request. The Chief priest of the Sannidhi of Periya PerumaaL (Bhattacharya) also vouched for this fact.

 

Some do not seem to give credence to this because usually the mortal remains of “Yathis” were buried away from (and definitely not within) the holy precincts of a consecrated temple.

 

Even building “Brindavanams” over the burial places seem to be a later development.

 

Others accept it as a fact, probably with a view to “glorify” Ramanuja in a very special way as being the only one to have had that privilege! Even so, the “Kainkaryaparas” including “Srimaan TaangigaLs” are said to wash their feet before entering Ranganatha Sannidhi on occasions, should they first visit Ramanuja’s Sannidhi, obviously acknowledging the pollution involved in visiting a morgue!

 

Is this the way to “glorify” the “Achaarya Saarvaboumar”?

 

As this seems to be unique, knowledgeable scholars may throw light on whether -

1. Interning the physical remains of a “Sannyaasi” in the precincts of a consecrated temple and

2. The construction of “Brindavanams” for Yathis (which latter seems to be a practice in other traditions) have any sanction in the Saastras.

 

Let us disabuse ourselves of any misunderstandings and unite to celebrate the 1000th Tirunakshatram of our Darsana Sthaapakar in a fitting manner.

 

Emperumaanaar ThiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

SrimatE Raamaanujaaya namah: