Part 1 -Experiencing Bhagavat Ramanuja Yatiraja's Divine Works

[Guest guest]

Dear Shree Vaishnavas,

 

Adiyen wanted to post as series, articles titled " Experiencing

Bhagavat Ramanuja Yatiraja's Divine Works " as per the request

of few Shree Vaishnavas. As a result of this, please find the

first part of the series as given below. The aim of presenting

the articles in series to explain the contents in very simple

manner (of-course only portions from the works of Bhagavat Ramanuja)

is to bring out the greatness of our Aacharya's works and to enjoy

them.

 

Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

 

Thanks & Regards

M.S.HARI Ramanuja Dasan.

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Experiencing Bhagavat Ramanuja Yatiraja's Divine Works

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PART 1

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" The sacred thread " Upveetam " glitters in this chest. The twelve " Urdhva

pundrams " marks representing the divine foot of Lord Vishnu add more divinity

to his divine body. The " Tridandam " three sticks tied together as per the

scriptures is in his hand symbolizing the goodness for all worlds. With the

" Sikha " bunch of hair in head tied, " Kamandalam " a vessel for carrying holy

water, wearing the " Kashayam " saffron robes, Bhagavat Ramanuja shines as the

Yatiraja - king among " Sanyasis " with his unparalleled and unsurpassed

knowledge, wisdom and his renouncement from material desires. He advocated

Visistadvaita Shree Vaishnava philosophy and practice, which is " Parama

Vaidika Matam " .

 

A philosophy which when proved to be rational and in strict accordance to a

flawless domain gives answer to all questions which are not answered by

science. Amongst manifold philosophies, the philosophy of Veda prevailing in

India from very ancient time once lost its hold due to the advent of anti-veda

movements and misinterprets of Veda. It was then nearly 1000 years ago Adi

Sesha incarnated as Bhagavat Ramanuja and reestablished the parama vaidika

matham - Visistadvaita Shree Vaishnava philosophy and practice, which is the

only purport of Veda. From that point onwards, the matham got the name

" Bhagavat Ramanuja Darsanam " only to signify the importance of this greatest

preceptor.

 

This preceptor has produced nine works, which are like inestimable divine nine

gems. Shreeman Nigamanta Maha Desika in his work " Sankalpa Sooryodayam " says

" Trimsadvaaram Sraavita Saareeraka Saastraha " about himself meaning, " Swamy

Desika has taught the Shree Bhaashya of Bhagavat Ramanuja thirty times " . Even

after this, Swamy Desika in this work " Yatiraja Saptathi " says " Parichita

Gahana Samyameendrasya Sooktaha: " meaning, the works like Shree Bhashya are

tough and are deep in knowledge-contents, even when they are learnt again and

again. A disciple of Bhagavat Ramanuja and an extraordinary scholar named

" Nadadur Ammal " who is Vatsa Varadaacharyar says " Ikva pathi vidushaam eshaa

prowdi sriya: prabhunaa sape " menaing, " who else other than the Vidhvaans

(scholars) of Ramanuja Sampradayam (philosophical system) can understand the

glory and depth of Shree Bhasya of Bhagavat Ramanuja? This I swear on Lord

Vishnu! " These statements of these great scholars clearly indicate the

greatness of Bhagavat Ramanuja's divine works. This article " Experiencing

Bhagavat Ramanuja Yatiraja's Divine Works " is going to be presented in the

email networks as a series, in portions. The aim of the article is to make an

attempt to outline the greatness of Bhagavat Ramanuja's divine works.

 

Bhagavat Ramanuja was born at Shreeperumbhothur that is in South India before

1000 years (approx.) in an orthodox family. By the divine grace of Bhagavat

Yamunacharya (an eminent Shree Vaishnava preceptor of that time), Bhagavat

Ramanuja reached Shree Rangam to meet Bhagavat Yamunacharya but was

disappointed to see only the mortal remains of Bhagavat Yamunacharya. By God's

grace, Bhagavat Ramanuja came to know the final wishes of Bhagavat

Yamunacharya. He full filled the three wishes of Bhagavat Yamunacharya.

Bhagavat Ramanuja wrote commentary on Brahma Sutra, Gita and established the

Visistadvaita Shree Vaishnava philosophy and practice. He made his disciple

Tiru Kurugai Piran Pillan to write a commentary " Tiru Aaraayira Padi "

(Bhagavat Vishayam) on Shree Satakopa Namalwar's Tiru Vaai Mozhi. He named the

sons of Shree Kooratalwar as " Parasara " and " Vyasa " and through them made the

names of Bhagavat Parasara and Bhagavat Vyasa to shine in the world with their

original glory. He lived a very long life and dedicated his entire life for

reestablishing and spreading the Visistadvaita Shree Vaishnava philosophy and

practice. He is called " Udayavar " , " Emberumaanaar " , " Lakshmana Muni " ,

" Yatiraja " and " Shree Bhaashyakaara " each name denoting his excellence.

 

The divinity, sweetness, and the nature of imparting knowledge are

extraordinarily present in the works of Bhagavat Ramanuja. Swamy Desikan told

" Yati pravara bhaarathi rasabharena neetham vaya: " meaning " Swamy Desika spent

his entire life by learning and enjoying the divine sweetness and knowledge

enshrined in the works of Bhagavat Ramanuja. Through this article series, I

try to make the readers to enjoy them by presenting a drop from the works of

Bhagavat Ramanuja which are like a ocean.

 

Bhagavat Ramanuja is recognized as " Shree Vaishnava Siddhaanta Nirdhaarana

Saarvabhowman " meaning the monarch who established Visistadvaita Shree

Vaishnava philosophy and practice. The nine divine works of Bhagavat Ramanuja

are

1. Vedartha Sangraha - The essence of Veda

2. Shree Bhasyam - Elaborate commentary on Brahma Sutras

3. Vedanta Deepam - Commentary on Brahma Sutra in a condensed form

4. Vedanta Saara - Commentary on Brahma Sutra in a very condensed form

5. Shree Geetha Bhasyam - Commentary on Shree Bhagavat Geetha.

6. Shree Saranaagathi Gadya - Deals with surrendering to Lord Shreeman

Narayanan for moksha.

7. Shree Ranga Gadya - Deals with the divine mercy of Shree Ranganatha of

Shree Rangam

8. Shree Vaikunta Gadya - Deals with Shree Vaikunta Paramapada

9. Nitya Granta - Deals with daily/special practices prescribed for Shree

Vaishnava

 

The Visistadvaita Shree Vaishanava philosophy and practice are clearly

established in these nine extraordinary works. We take up portions from one by

one to enjoy them through this series.

 

 

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