Ramanuja Acharya Rejects Caste System
ராமானுஜாச்சாரியர் சாதி அமைப்பை நிராகரித்தார்
A great devotee named Kanchi-purna would daily pass Ramanuja's house on his way to Kanchi from his home at Poonamallee, a neighbouring village, for the worship of the Deity Varadaraja at Kanchi. Ramanuja, realizing what a saintly character he was, befriended him and one evening invited him to dinner. Being a member of the Sudra caste, Kanchi-purna at first declined the invitation, but after Ramanuja had repeatedly insisted he finally accepted. After Kanchi-purna had taken his meal, a place was prepared for him to rest, and while he was resting, Ramanuja overcome with joy at having such a great devotee in his home tried to massage his feet. Kanchi-purna was alarmed and protested that he would not allow such a high born Vedic Brahmin like Ramanuja to serve him in this manner. Ramanuja's reply to this protest was; "Pray, is it merely the wearing of a sacred thread that makes one a brahmin? No! One who is devoted to God alone is a brahmin. Everyone knows how Tirupan-alvar born in the Sudra caste is now worshipped by brahmins because of his Love of God!" From this incident we can recognize that Ramanuja was an enlightened saint and so liberal that he had no regard for the social rules of caste. After this Kanchi-purna and Ramanuja became close friends
One day, as he was engaged in study of the Scriptures at home, Kanchi-purna the great devotee of the Lord arrived. Ramanuja now fell down at his feet in prostration and begged to be accepted as his disciple. Kanchi-purna protested that he was a Sudra, a man of low caste, while Ramanuja was a high-born Brahmin, and master of Sanskrit and philosophy. But Ramanuja justified his act on the ground that Kanchi-purna's mature devotion to the Lord was far superior to high birth and learning, which generally went only to augment one's pride and egotism. Again falling at his feet weeping Ramanuja begged him for his guidance. Thereupon Kanchi-purna instructed him to carry every day a vessel full of water from a neighboring well for the service of Varadaraja who, he assured him, would fulfil his devotional aspirations. Ramanuja therefore took up this service and also pursued the study of the Tamil hymns of the Alvars
After returning home he spent the days in serious reflection and study. Avoiding his wife and seeking solace in the company of Kanchi-purna and in the service of Varadaraja. This
indifference caused much distress to his wife Rakshambal. Again Ramanuja approached Kanchi-purna and begged him to become his spiritual teacher, but the latter in all humility refused his request. Taking this refusal as an indication of his unworthiness Ramanuja resolved to purify himself by eating the left-overs of Kanchi-purna's meal. Accordingly he invited him to dinner and instructed Rakshambal to cook a sumptuous feast. When all was prepared Ramanuja set out to Kanchi-purna's ashram to invite him. Meanwhile Kanchi-purna had intuited the plot of Ramanuja and had arrived at Ramanuja'– house earlier than expected. He requested Rakshambal to serve the food quickly so that he could attend to his duties in the temple of Varadaraja. Rakshambal reluctantly complied and after he had eaten and cleared his leaf-plate away, she distributed the remaining food to some Sudras, took a bath and began cooking again for her husband. When Ramanuja returned he was devastated to learn that Kanchi-purna had been treated as a Sudra. All the remaining food had been disposed off and Ramanuja had been thwarted in his purpose. Slapping his head in despair he sat down under a tree and wept. Immediately after this incident Kanchi-purna left for Tirupati where he stayed for 6 months. Upon his return, Ramanuja went to meet him and while they were discussing the dharma, Ramanuja mentioned that he had some 6 doubts and requested Kanchi-purna to ask the Lord Varadaraja to solve these problems without actually telling him what they were. The next day Kanchi-purna conveyed the following replies from Lord Varadaraja;
indifference caused much distress to his wife Rakshambal. Again Ramanuja approached Kanchi-purna and begged him to become his spiritual teacher, but the latter in all humility refused his request. Taking this refusal as an indication of his unworthiness Ramanuja resolved to purify himself by eating the left-overs of Kanchi-purna's meal. Accordingly he invited him to dinner and instructed Rakshambal to cook a sumptuous feast. When all was prepared Ramanuja set out to Kanchi-purna's ashram to invite him. Meanwhile Kanchi-purna had intuited the plot of Ramanuja and had arrived at Ramanuja'– house earlier than expected. He requested Rakshambal to serve the food quickly so that he could attend to his duties in the temple of Varadaraja. Rakshambal reluctantly complied and after he had eaten and cleared his leaf-plate away, she distributed the remaining food to some Sudras, took a bath and began cooking again for her husband. When Ramanuja returned he was devastated to learn that Kanchi-purna had been treated as a Sudra. All the remaining food had been disposed off and Ramanuja had been thwarted in his purpose. Slapping his head in despair he sat down under a tree and wept. Immediately after this incident Kanchi-purna left for Tirupati where he stayed for 6 months. Upon his return, Ramanuja went to meet him and while they were discussing the dharma, Ramanuja mentioned that he had some 6 doubts and requested Kanchi-purna to ask the Lord Varadaraja to solve these problems without actually telling him what they were. The next day Kanchi-purna conveyed the following replies from Lord Varadaraja;
1. I am the absolute Brahman, the cause of material nature (Prakrti) from which the
universe evolves.
2. The distinction between the Jiva (soul) and Ishvara (God) is self-evident.
3. The only way to attain liberation from the cycle of re-incarnation is by taking
refuge at the feet of the Lord.
4. There is no need for my devotees to remember Me at the time of death, because I
shall remember them.
5. As soon as a devotee dies he attains to the Supreme Realm.
6. Take refuge in the great soul Mahapurna and he will initiate you.
Ramanuja was rapt and danced for joy, he immediately set out for Srirangam to meet that great soul Maha-purna. In the meantime, by a divinely ordained coincidence, Maha-purna had already started for Kanchi to persuade Ramanuja to come to Srirangam. It was one year since Yamuna had passed away, and his disciples and devotees could find no-one to take up the position of pontiff. So they approached Maha-purna and requested that he find some solution to the problem — he quickly reminded them that Yamunacharya himself had appointed Ramanuja as his successor and so they forthwith sent Maha-purna on the mission to bring Ramanuja to Srirangam.
universe evolves.
2. The distinction between the Jiva (soul) and Ishvara (God) is self-evident.
3. The only way to attain liberation from the cycle of re-incarnation is by taking
refuge at the feet of the Lord.
4. There is no need for my devotees to remember Me at the time of death, because I
shall remember them.
5. As soon as a devotee dies he attains to the Supreme Realm.
6. Take refuge in the great soul Mahapurna and he will initiate you.
Ramanuja was rapt and danced for joy, he immediately set out for Srirangam to meet that great soul Maha-purna. In the meantime, by a divinely ordained coincidence, Maha-purna had already started for Kanchi to persuade Ramanuja to come to Srirangam. It was one year since Yamuna had passed away, and his disciples and devotees could find no-one to take up the position of pontiff. So they approached Maha-purna and requested that he find some solution to the problem — he quickly reminded them that Yamunacharya himself had appointed Ramanuja as his successor and so they forthwith sent Maha-purna on the mission to bring Ramanuja to Srirangam.
The two met at the temple tank in a place called Madhuranthakam and both were overcome with joy and thankfulness to the Lord. Maha-purna suggested that they return to Kanchi and perform the initiation ceremony (samasrayanam) in front of Lord Varadaraja. But Ramanuja replied that since the time of death is unknown and could come at any moment he would not tolerate even a moment’s delay. So thus cajoled Maha-purna initiated Ramanuja into the Vaishnava fold by branding him on the shoulders with the seal of Vishnu's conch and discus, and imparting the 3 Vaishnava Mantras. Then together they returned to Kanchi-puram. For six months Maha-purna and his wife stayed at Kanchi-puram, during which time Ramanuja studied the supremely sacred four thousand Tamil verses known as Nalayira Divya Prabandham, also known as the Tamil Veda.
Renunciation
The dramatic parting of Ramanuja from his guru Mahapurna occurred abruptly under strange circumstances. One day Ramanuja's wife Rakshambal who was obsessed with caste-
consciousness went to the well to draw water with Maha-purna's wife. Some drops of water from the old ladies pot had fallen into hers and sent her into a rage: "Are you blind? Look what you have done by your carelessness! This pitcher of water is now contaminated! Do you think that you can sit on my shoulders just because you are the wife of my husband's guru? Don't you realize that our lineage is superior to yours? How can I use the water that has been touched by you? Well, I suppose that you are not really to blame. Having fallen into the hands of this husband of mine, I have lost my caste and all." She then stormed off in a rage. Mahapurna's wife who was very gentle by nature was extremely pained to hear these cutting words and told everything to her husband. That very moment they packed their belongings and left for Srirangam. When Ramanuja learnt all that had transpired he finally resolved to separate himself from his wife. He wrote a letter informing Rakshambal that her help was needed at her father's house for the impending marriage of her younger sister. He gave the letter to an elderly brahmin who delivered it to Rakshambal. She was delighted with the news, Ramanuja bestowed all his wealth upon her, and sent her away; accompanied by the brahmin she departed for her father's house. Ramanuja took this opportunity to perform the rites for entering the holy order of sannyas (renunciation) taking Lord Varadaraja as his Guru. He abandoned his white garb and took on the saffron robe in front of Lord Varadaraja. Through Kanchi-purna the Lord gave him the name Yatiraja — Prince of Ascetics.
The dramatic parting of Ramanuja from his guru Mahapurna occurred abruptly under strange circumstances. One day Ramanuja's wife Rakshambal who was obsessed with caste-
consciousness went to the well to draw water with Maha-purna's wife. Some drops of water from the old ladies pot had fallen into hers and sent her into a rage: "Are you blind? Look what you have done by your carelessness! This pitcher of water is now contaminated! Do you think that you can sit on my shoulders just because you are the wife of my husband's guru? Don't you realize that our lineage is superior to yours? How can I use the water that has been touched by you? Well, I suppose that you are not really to blame. Having fallen into the hands of this husband of mine, I have lost my caste and all." She then stormed off in a rage. Mahapurna's wife who was very gentle by nature was extremely pained to hear these cutting words and told everything to her husband. That very moment they packed their belongings and left for Srirangam. When Ramanuja learnt all that had transpired he finally resolved to separate himself from his wife. He wrote a letter informing Rakshambal that her help was needed at her father's house for the impending marriage of her younger sister. He gave the letter to an elderly brahmin who delivered it to Rakshambal. She was delighted with the news, Ramanuja bestowed all his wealth upon her, and sent her away; accompanied by the brahmin she departed for her father's house. Ramanuja took this opportunity to perform the rites for entering the holy order of sannyas (renunciation) taking Lord Varadaraja as his Guru. He abandoned his white garb and took on the saffron robe in front of Lord Varadaraja. Through Kanchi-purna the Lord gave him the name Yatiraja — Prince of Ascetics.
Recommended to watch below movie on Sri Ramanujacharya
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