Sri Kannan,
I am certain that there are a number of web sites that can provide you
with more details. But, having had some interest in Rama Bhakti and his
movement during my college days, I would be happy to share what I know:
According to what one Western author could piece together, the elusive
Swamy Ramananda was born and raised in what is now the State of
Karnataka, presumably in one of the villages surrounding Mysore. He had
his formal training under one Sri Raghavachariar Swamy, and served the
deity of the mutham of his guru (which is not known), Sri Rama Pariwaram.
Under the directions of his guru, Ramanand went on a pilgrimage to bring
the teachings of Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja to the North, particularly in the
areas that were troubled by the onslaught of the Mughal Empire. It was
here that on one or more occassions, situations forced the ardent
bhagavatha to partake food offered by Muslims and Harijans. When
confessing to this to his teachers upon his return to the South,
Ramanand was asked by his guru to leave the mutham, return North and
establishment a practice of his own, based on the teachings of Bhagavad
Sri Ramanuja. He did so, but out of respect for the rahasyatrayam,
focused his teachings not directly upon Sriman Narayana, but rather the
worship of Sri Rama as the Supreme and initiated his followers into Rama
Nama. Note, however, that Rama in Sri Ramanand's teachings was not
superior to Sri Hari, but rather the Form the Lord Himself Chose so that
He could relate to His devotees on a human level.
If Ramanand wrote any works of his own, they are now lost. There is
mention of a work in Hindi that parallels Sri Vachana Bhushanam,
however, but I am not sure whether a print version of this is available
anywhere.
As you rightly mentioned, since Ramanand's path was only inspired by Sri
Ramanuja, it was free and open spiritual philosophy that was available
to people of all backgrounds. Indeed, the first well-known sishya among
his many disciples was Kabir, a Muslim weaver. Since the path was so
open, however, it left lots of room for personal interpretation,
allowing for advaitic - as can be seen in Tulsidas's Ramacharitmanas -
and even iconoclastic elements (Kabir and Ravidas) to work their way in
now and then.
I do recall reading something about how 12 of Ramanand's disciples were
compared to the 12 Alwars; but the only two that I am sure about at this
time is Meerabai, who is referred to as the Andal of the North, and
Kabir, who is likened to Nammalwar.
I hope this helps as a start.
adiyen
Mohan
Kannan wrote:
> Srimate Ramanujaya Namaha
> Azwar Thiruvadigale Sharanam
>
> Dear Sri Vaishnavas,
>
> While reading a book on Emperumanar written by Swami Tapasyananda
> (RamKrishna Math), Adiyen came across a reference to a SriVaishnava by
> the name Ramananda (1300 - 1411). The book mentions Swami Ramananda as
> having being initiated into SriVaishnavism and then going on to settle
> in Benares, where he propagated our religion and was the spiritual
> simulator of twelve great leaders of Vaishnavism in the north (which
> included great Bhaktas like Sant Kabirdas, Swami Ravidas and others).
>
> Adiyen would like to know more about this great SriVaishnava. Can any
> member of this esteemed group help me in this.
>
> Dasan,
> Kannan
>
>
> azhwAr emberumAnAr jeeyAr thiruvadigalE saranam
>
>
>
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