Sri Ramanuja thirunakshatram

[Guest guest]

Respected Ramanuja Bhaktas,

 

Today is chittirai-thiruva:dharai, the Holiest of Holy days. On this

day, 985 years ago, our Foremost Teacher, Scholar and Saviour,

Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja was born in the small temple town of

Sriperumbudu:r.

 

While the modern world stands in awe of Mahatma Gandhi as a Great

Sould from India, and rightfully so, it would not be an exaggeration

to state that even his greatness would pale in comparison before the

erudition, visionary ideals, and humanitarian outlook of the

inimitable Sri Ramanuja.

 

Ramanuja's brilliant philosophy, his humanitarian ideals, his deep

scholarly understanding of Vedic thought, his heartfelt devotion to

the Lord; each of these gives insight in to a Great Soul who lived a

life of scholarliness and compassionate service to society, all in an

effort to bring a simple but heartfelt message to the world: True

Peace can be found if one simply surrenders him/herself to the Mercy

of our Loving Lord, Sriman Narayana.

 

While its history is filled with sages and great thinkers, most have

taken a distant " back seat " in our lives, as we continue to fall prey

to the temptations and pressures of modern life. It is amazing,

then, to think that even after almost a thousand years, this one man,

who spent most of his time living around temples in South India,

could still have such an impact on scores of devout Hindus throughout

the world. For whether they know it or not, much of the simple

devotion that they practice probably was influenced somehow by

Ramanuja's teachings. And whether they are aware of it or not, every

South Indian temple that has a deity of Vishnu or one of his

avata:ras in it, wherever it is in the world, will always include

rituals that extoll the greatness of Ramanuja and pray that his

teachings will extend throughout the world.

 

Let us remember our connection to this Magnananimous and Benevolent

Soul on his birthday and always. Whether it be through elaborate

SriVaishnava ritual, or a simple look at his picture on our web site

(www.ramanujasociety.org), please take some time today to reflect on

our Foremost Teacher and pray that his vision will continue to

enlighten the world.

 

Rama:naja:rya divya:gnya vardhata:m abhivardhata:m!

 

adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan

Mohan