Appearance Day of Sri Ramanujacharya

There are four prominent Sampradayas of the Vaishnavas, out of which the Sri Sampradaya was commenced by Sri Maha Laxmi Devi and whose Acharya is the great Sri Ramunjacharya. 

When the Lord desires to re-establish Dharma, he either appears himself or sends his close associates. These Acharyas, battling lots of difficulties for the sake of all living entities, re-establish Dharma. 

The Appearance of Sri Ramanujacharya

One such great Vaishnava who has made a great contribution towards re-establishing the glory of Vaishnavas matha was Sri Ramunjacharya, who appeared in the 1017 A.D. His parents, who were from the royal household, were Asuri Keshava and Kantimati Devi. Most of his childhood was spent in his birthplace Shriperumbudur.  

At the age of 16, he was married to Rakshakambal. And shortly after his marriage, his father left for the heavenly abode. After this incident, Ramanuja moved to Kanchi with his family, where he started studying the Adwaitavad philosophy under the guidance of Yadav Prakash. The purports of Yadav Prakash to Vedanta Sutra were highly inspired by Shankracharya’s. 

Sri Ramanujacharya was so highly intelligent that his knowledge of the Vedas surpassed that of his Guru’s in a short span of time. His Guru, Yadav Prakash, couldn’t seem to handle his arguments, his students increased day by day, and it came to the point where even his Guru became his student. The philosophy established by him is most famously known as Visistadvaita. 

Sri Ramanujacharya was a great scholar, virtuous, patient, and compassionate. 

He was unparalleled in his character and devotion. He was thus engaged in the worship of Varadaraj murti while residing in Kanchi Varagrach.

The Three Vows

Just 300 km away from Kanchipuram on the banks of Kavari was Sri Rangam. 

There resided the great saint Sri Yamunacharya. When his time of passing away was near, Sri Yamunacharya asked his disciple to bring Ramanujacharya to him. But before Ramanujacharya could reach, Sri Yamunacharya left his body. 

In a weeping state, he noticed the divine form of his Guru. His one hand was in a Yoga mudra, with three fingers open. The thumb and the forefinger touched each other, and the other hand was clenched in a fist. 

Sri Ramunjacharya understood that Sri Yamunacharya was trying to indicate something through this. 

He declared, “I will illuminate those in ignorance by engaging them in tasting the nectar from the lotus feet of Sri Narayan and protect them from the illusion of impersonating by helping them surrender to the lord!” 

One finger from his Guru’s clenched fist opened when he said this. 

He again declared, “For the protection of the people, I would write a commentary on the most auspicious Vedanta Sutra establishing the Supreme Lord as the ultimate truth. ” 

Another finger was released. 

“In honor of the great sage, Parashar Muni, I would name one great devotee and disciple of mine by his name, in gratitude of his compassion, who for the great masses, explained the relationship and characteristics between the jiva, universe, and the Supreme Lord and the medium for liberation and hence wrote the Vishnu Puran. ” 

Upon this statement, the last finger was released from the clutched fist. On seeing this, everyone was left surprised, and no one doubted that in the coming time, Sri Ramunjacharya would take up the place of his Guru, Sri Yamunacharya, as the next Acharya. 

Sri Ramanujacharya completed the three vows by his commentary on Brahmasutra, Vishnu Sahasranamam, and Arvandra. 

Sannyasa Diksha

Sri Ramanujacharya was a ristha, but when he saw that it would be difficult to spread his mission further by staying as a householder, he took up the dress of a sannyasi in Sri Rangam kshetra. 

His Guru, Yadav Prakash, lamenting his past deeds, opted for a similar position, taking up the role of a sannyasi. He left for Sri Rangam to engage in the service of Sri Ramanujacharya.