=============Conclusion ============================
The bramhOtsavam at Sri Rangam takes place in the Tamil month of
Panguni (Typically March 15 ? April 14 on the Gregorian calendar).
On
the last date (under asterism Uttiram), Lord Azhakiya maNavALan (
the
utsavamUrti of srI RanganAtha) is seated on the same throne,
pedestal,
as the goddess RanganAyaki (Utsavar) in the kalyAna mantapam of the
goddess. This is a very rare sight occurring only once in a year. On
one
such occasion, swami Ramanuja, out of overwhelming compassion for
the humanity en-shackled by this miasma of samsAra, poured out his
heart to The Divine Couple. The outcome is this nectar ?SaranAgati
Gadya?, delivered for the sake of our deliverance. This is in the form of
a
conversation between swami Ramanuja and The Divine Couple. The
shorter SrI-ranga-gadyam?is an abridged version of SaraNagati
gadyam, a personal exposition. The ultimate goal, reward, that
purushArta for every prapanna, of eternal service in Sri Vaikunta
is
contained in SrI Vaikunta Gadyam.
It is indeed a thrilling event, something out of this world, an
opportunity
afforded to the fortunate few, to watch hundreds of ardent Sri
Vaishnava
bhAgavathas recite these sacred Gadyas around midnight, in unison
at
SrI Rangam temple even today on Panguni Uttiram day, an event
commemorating the magnificent, compassionate, uplifting vision of
swami Ramanuja for all of humanity.
The PancarAtra declares,
"idam saranamajNAnAm idamEva VijAnatAm idam titirksatAmpAram
idam anantyamiccatAm !!"
(The ignorant, the scholars, the great sages, the inimitable Azhvars
and
all, are eligible for prapatti. Even so, the result thereof is
universal)
The composer of prapanna pArijAttam says,
"bhakti prapatti yadi duskareva rAmAnujAryam bhajetEti
avAdIt"
(If one is too weak to perform bhakti or even prapatti, then
meditate
upon the glory of swami Ramanuja)
Accordingly, for those who are too weak to do prapatti, they can
attain
mOksha by resorting to the feet of Acharya Ramanuja, the krupAmAtra
PrasannAchArya (One whose munificent vision is accessible all those
that desire it), by reciting the Gadya-trayam everyday.
I commend the author Dr. V.V.Ramanujam and the publishers
SrIparampara Sabha, who have given form to the very laudable
intention
of popularizing such a great work.
May the grace of our jagadAchArya swami Ramanuja together with
blessings of Sriman Narayana spread everywhere.
=================Continued on part 5 ===========
GADYA-TRAYAM OF SWAMI RAMANUJA
Dr. V V Ramanujam, M. A., M. Sc., Ph. D., Editor, YatirAja
pAduka
(With the maNipravALa commentary by vyAkhyAna chakravathi swami
periyaAcchAn piLLai. Serialized with permission from the original
publisher,
Sri Parampara Sabha, Bangalore)