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Ramanuja List Archive: Message 00062 Mar 2005

 
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SRI RAMANUJAN THIRUNAMA VAIBAVAM ?Vyasam 2


We find great pleasure in thinking about the glory of Swami 
Ramanujar may it be his  qualities or his works ,everything about 
him fills our heart with joy, let us now think about the greatness 
of his name

In an attempt to know as why this name was given to this Acarya 
references are made to the works of our Purvacharyas. It is thus 
inferred that this name "Ramanujan"  denotes   Lakshmana ,brother of 
Lord Rama. .   Lakshmana is known for his sub-servience and 
Kainkaryam. 

It was foreseen by Periya Tirumalai nambi (maternal uncle of 
Ramanujar) that this  Udayavar shall possess the Kainkaryam as 
greatest treasure , so he chose this name  for this great Acarya.

When Lord Rama was directed by his mother Kaikai to leave the 
kingdom, 
Lakshmana expressed his willingness to join  Lord Rama ,to perform 
Kainkaryam to Lord at all times ,  " Aham Sarvam Karishyami 
Jagruthah svapathsh cha te" this verse is often quoted by our 
Purvacharyas  from Sri Ramayanam  while describing the greatness of  
Kainkaryam.  The Sub-servience is the essentinal nature of the soul, 
and Lakshmana is the best example for  Sub-Servience ,as he  spent 
whole of his life, to serve Lord Rama .

Ramanujar  decended to this earth only for Kainkaryam , It was 
he ,who reformed the  Sri Ranga kshetram and till today the 
Kainkaryam established by him is followed there.  His service to the 
SriVaishnava Sampradayam is un comparable and is beyond word and 
thought .  It was he, who brought into light the efforts &works of 
all our Purvacharyas.  It was Ramanujar who established  the 
Visistadvaita Philosophy.  The exact meaning of the Vedas and 
vedanthas was shown out clearly only by him, then he took all 
efforts to create awarness on  the greatness of Alvar's sri sukthis 
viz.  Thiruvaimozhi.
Thus in recognition to his remarkable services (Kainkaryam ) he is 
called as Ramanujar, Lakshmana Muni ,Illayalvar.

Now, let us discuss as how this name Ramanujar  suits to Lord 
Krishna , Lord Krishna is the brother of Bala Rama ,so he can be 
even called as Ramanuja (Brother of Bala Rama) This has its 
reference in the Mukundamalai of Kulasekarar where in he calls the 
different names of Lord, one among them is Ramanuja.  The verse 
reads as follows "HE RAMANUJ HE JAGATHRAYA GURO ; HE 
PUNDARIKAKSHAMAM; HE GOPIJANNATHA BALAY". Thus it is clear that Lord 
Krishna is also called as Ramanuja.  Thus it is believed that 
Emperumanar holds the name of Lord Krishna ?Ramanujar. 
The yatiraja Sapthathi of Nigamantha Maha Desikan is quoted here 
which is in line with the above statement.
"SAMITHOTAYA SANKRATHIGARVAHA SVABALATH UTTARUTH YADAVAPRAKASAHA 
AVAROPITHAVAN SRUTHER PARTHAN NANU RAMANUJAS  SA ESHA BHUYAHA"

Swami Desikar in his Yatiraja Sapthathi has shown as how the works 
of Swami Ramanujar resembled that of Lord Krishna, since it is in 
the Sanskrit language and can be enjoyed only by the learned, 

Let us now compare the Charitram of Swami Ramanujar with that of 
Krishna Avataram to learn the similarities.:


1It is well known fact that Lord Krishna was born in Jail.  Sri 
Ramanujar's  Avataram  was also in jail, Let me explain this with 
reference to Alvar's Sri sukthis " AMARARODU   UYARVIR SENDRU 
ARUVARTHAM PIRAVI ANCHIRAYE"  (Tiruvaimozhi 1-3-11) as  said by 
Nammalvar this world (Samsara Mandalam) is  itself a jail .  This 
World is filled with darkness of ignorance (Irul tharuma nyalam)   
So, Swami Ramanujar was born in this world filled with darkness.  
Tirumangai Alvar describes the birth of Lord Krishna as one born in 
the night which is known for darkness ? IRUL NAL PIRANTHAVAMMAN" 


2.      When Lord Krishna was born he had conch in one hand and disc 
(Sudarshana chakram) on the other hand, "JATHOSI DEVADEVESHA 
SANKACHAKRAGADADARA?" thus Emperuman showed his divine form to 
Vasudevar.  In the case of Acaryar Ramanujar, when he descended to 
this earth unlike other babies he did not cry and the unique 
brightness was noticed by the Sri Vaishnavas in his face.

Lord Krishna was born in one place ? Mathura  he was brought up in 
Thiruvaipadi and he spent his old age in Dwaraka.  Even our Acaryar 
Ramanujar was born in Sri Perumbudhur, spent his youth in Kanchi and 
later he lived in SriRangam, Tirunarayanapuram . The different 
stages is also described in yet another way in our Sampradayam ie.,

"Tirumandirathile Pirandhu, Dvayathile Valarndhu" Just as per the 
sayings of our Purvacharyas, The Thirvashtakashara Mantram gives us 
the knowledge about the self (Swaroopa Gynanam)  and the Sri 
Vaishnavan is said to born when he gets the Swaroopa Gynanam and 
then he  learns the Dvaya mantran and practices to live accordingly. 
Thus our Acaryan had spent his life in that manner.

Sri PBA  Swami had written around sixteen resemblances that prevails 
between Lord Krishna and Acarya Ramanujar , of which we have now 
enjoyed only two. 

To be continued?.

Sri Vaishnava Dasi

Vasumathi Sampathkumar









azhwAr emberumAnAr jeeyAr thiruvadigalE saranam
 
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