• Welcome to Tamil Brahmins forums.

    You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our Free Brahmin Community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

    If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.

Sri Ramanuja's Golden Rules

Status
Not open for further replies.
P.J.

P.J.

0
Sri Ramanuja's Golden Rules

ramanuja2.jpg



Sri Ramanuja (1017 - 1137 CE), the most important philosopher-saint of Sri Vaishnavam and one of the most dynamic characters of Hinduism. He was a philosophical as well as a social reformer, displaying a catholicity that was nearly unparalleled in Hindu religious history before him. He revitalized Indian philosophy and popular religion so much that nearly every aspect of Hinduism has been influenced by his work. His life and works show a truly unique personality, combining contemplative insight, logical acumen, catholicity, charismatic energy, and selfless dedication to God.


The less known fact even among Srivaishnavas about this well known Acharya by whose name Srivaishnava philosophy is called 'Ramanuja Darsanam' and who is hailed as "Sri Vaishnava Siddhanta Nirdhaarana Saarva bouma" is that he was a 'Vadama' by birth.(Authority :" Periya Thrumudi Adaivu, Pazhanadai Vilakkam and Visishtaadvaita Catechism" - quoted in GLE


In his death bed Sri Raamanuja is said
to have articulated 82 statements to his
disciples.


(Here are some of them)



1. Serve God and God's devotees. Serve
all devotees without regard to their
status.

2. Have faith in the teachings of
acchaaryaas.

3. Do not succumb to sensual pleasures.

4 & 5. Do not put your conviction on
trivial saasthraas, have conviction on
the saasthraas that deal with God.

6 - 8. Protect yourself from the five
senses.

9 & 10. Praise the name of the Lord and
aachaaryaas.

11. All the knowledge you may have will
not protect you if you choose sensual
pleasures.

12 & 13. It is not enough to control
your sensual desires, you must surrender
to the Lord.

14 - 17. Do not be disrespectful of sri
vaishnavaas for any reason, including
age, caste, etc. You must show respect
to them all.

18. When you rise from your bed
meditate upon your ancestral line of
aahaaryas.

19. In front of the sanctum of our Lord,
amongst sri vaishnavaas utter the words
of thiru manthiram and dvayam.

20. Praise the auspicious qualities of
our Lord and aachaaryaas.

21 and 22. Welcome sri vaishnavas with
open arms and praise. Do not praise
ordinary people for the sake of material
gain.

23. Pay respect when you see the gOpuram
of a temple.

24 - 25. Have undying faith in Lord
Vishnu.

26. Do not find fault with praise of the
Lord or devotees.

27 - 29. Pay at most respect to sri
vaishnavaas.

30 & 31. Among sri vaishnavaas do not
discriminate between poor and rich.

32. Ignore the faults and praise the
virtues of sri vasihnavaas.

33 - 35. Consume Sri paadha theertham
with respect.

36. Do not consider yourself as equal to
other devotees. Think of yourself as
their servant.

37 - 39. To purify your sins consume the
sri paatha theertham of great saints.
For this, do not consider the caste of
those saints.

40 & 41. Duties of families. (Not
described in the text)

42 - 44. Visiting temples and securing
prasaadam is important.

45. Do not boast about your virtues.

46. Do not scorn a devotee.

47. Do not ignore serving devotees.

48. Praise the auspicious qualities of
the Lord daily.

49. Recite prabhandams like thiruvaay
mozhi daily.

50 - 58. Do not associate with the ones
who only pretend to be sri vaihnvaas.
Do not associate with the ones who find
faults with others. Do not even look
upon those who belittle devotees.
Associate with those who wish to
surrender to the Lord.

59 & 60. Ignore the harsh words of other
sri vaishnvaas. Always do good to them.





Re: Ramanuja's Golden Rules
Sri Ramanujacharya Life History

Ramanuja
 
P.J. said:
Sri Ramanuja's Golden Rules

ramanuja2.jpg



Sri Ramanuja (1017 - 1137 CE), the most important philosopher-saint of Sri Vaishnavam and one of the most dynamic characters of Hinduism. He was a philosophical as well as a social reformer, displaying a catholicity that was nearly unparalleled in Hindu religious history before him. He revitalized Indian philosophy and popular religion so much that nearly every aspect of Hinduism has been influenced by his work. His life and works show a truly unique personality, combining contemplative insight, logical acumen, catholicity, charismatic energy, and selfless dedication to God.


The less known fact even among Srivaishnavas about this well known Acharya by whose name Srivaishnava philosophy is called 'Ramanuja Darsanam' and who is hailed as "Sri Vaishnava Siddhanta Nirdhaarana Saarva bouma" is that he was a 'Vadama' by birth.(Authority :" Periya Thrumudi Adaivu, Pazhanadai Vilakkam and Visishtaadvaita Catechism" - quoted in GLE


In his death bed Sri Raamanuja is said
to have articulated 82 statements to his
disciples.


(Here are some of them)



1. Serve God and God's devotees. Serve
all devotees without regard to their
status.

2. Have faith in the teachings of
acchaaryaas.

3. Do not succumb to sensual pleasures.

4 & 5. Do not put your conviction on
trivial saasthraas, have conviction on
the saasthraas that deal with God.

6 - 8. Protect yourself from the five
senses.

9 & 10. Praise the name of the Lord and
aachaaryaas.

11. All the knowledge you may have will
not protect you if you choose sensual
pleasures.

12 & 13. It is not enough to control
your sensual desires, you must surrender
to the Lord.

14 - 17. Do not be disrespectful of sri
vaishnavaas for any reason, including
age, caste, etc. You must show respect
to them all.

18. When you rise from your bed
meditate upon your ancestral line of
aahaaryas.

19. In front of the sanctum of our Lord,
amongst sri vaishnavaas utter the words
of thiru manthiram and dvayam.

20. Praise the auspicious qualities of
our Lord and aachaaryaas.

21 and 22. Welcome sri vaishnavas with
open arms and praise. Do not praise
ordinary people for the sake of material
gain.

23. Pay respect when you see the gOpuram
of a temple.

24 - 25. Have undying faith in Lord
Vishnu.

26. Do not find fault with praise of the
Lord or devotees.

27 - 29. Pay at most respect to sri
vaishnavaas.

30 & 31. Among sri vaishnavaas do not
discriminate between poor and rich.

32. Ignore the faults and praise the
virtues of sri vasihnavaas.

33 - 35. Consume Sri paadha theertham
with respect.

36. Do not consider yourself as equal to
other devotees. Think of yourself as
their servant.

37 - 39. To purify your sins consume the
sri paatha theertham of great saints.
For this, do not consider the caste of
those saints.

40 & 41. Duties of families. (Not
described in the text)

42 - 44. Visiting temples and securing
prasaadam is important.

45. Do not boast about your virtues.

46. Do not scorn a devotee.

47. Do not ignore serving devotees.

48. Praise the auspicious qualities of
the Lord daily.

49. Recite prabhandams like thiruvaay
mozhi daily.

50 - 58. Do not associate with the ones
who only pretend to be sri vaihnvaas.
Do not associate with the ones who find
faults with others. Do not even look
upon those who belittle devotees.
Associate with those who wish to
surrender to the Lord.

59 & 60. Ignore the harsh words of other
sri vaishnvaas. Always do good to them.





Re: Ramanuja's Golden Rules
Sri Ramanujacharya Life History

Ramanuja
Click to expand...


I think it is for Vaishnavas only. If not, certain rules cannot be followed by others, who believe Shiva is the supreme God.

While you narrate some Rules of Ramanuja, why don't you make some research and find out why he ran away from Vadama Sect. I am very eager to know, being a Smartha.
 
Chandruji,

Ramanuja was born in India during the year 1017 A.D. when, according to astrological calculations, the sun was in the zodiacal sign of Cancer. His parents were Asuri Kesava and Kantimati, both from aristocratic families. Ramanuja passed his childhood days in Sriperumbudur, the village of his birth. At the age of 16 he was married to Rakshakambal.


Only four months after his wedding, Ramanuja's father was struck with a severe illness and died. Upon the death of his father, Ramanuja became head of the household and decided to move to Kanchi, a holy city famed for its scholars and magnificent temples.


In Kanchi there lived a scholar named Yadava Prakash, who was renowned for his scholarship in the doctrine of adwaita-vedanta, non-dualism. No one could surpass Yadava in his ability to explain Shankara's commentaries on Vedanta-sutra. Ramanuja enrolled in Yadava's school and engaged in the study of Sanskrit and Vedic literature. Although not at all convinced by the Shankarite conception, Ramanuja learned his lessons well and soon became one of Yadava's favorite students. Thinking Ramanuja to be a sincere follower of the conclusions of Shankara, Yadava showed Ramanuja special affection. But that affection did not last for long.
.........................................

Ramanuja opened a small school at his home, and in no time many people began to come to him to hear his devotional discourses. Ramanuja's lectures were wholly theistic. He rejected the concept that the jiva, a living entity, could be equal to the Supreme Brahman or become God as postulated by Shankara. The living entity, Ramanuja taught, is a particle of Godhead, and as such, his position is to serve the complete whole. He said that as the hand is part of the body and thus a servant of the body, similarly the living entity is part of the Supreme and thus his constitutional position is to serve the Supreme.
Shocked at the evil intentions of Yadava and his followers, Govinda took Ramanuja to a secluded place in the forest and informed him of the danger. Govinda requested Ramanuja to flee into the forest immediately before it was too late.


Govinda then returned to the camp and told the others that while he and Ramanuja were looking for wild berries in the forest, a tiger had pounced upon Ramanuja and dragged his helpless body away. Outwardly Yadava and his disciples displayed symptoms of sorrow, but inwardly their hearts leaped with joy. Ramanuja was now gone from their lives forever. Or so they thought.

The fame of Ramanuja continued to spread far and wide. One day as Ramanuja sat in the solitude of his study, a venerable saint named Yamunacharya came to his door for alms. Extending his full courtesy, Ramanuja welcomed the saint into his home. Ramanuja learned that Yamuna was from Sri Rangam, the famous temple of Vishnu. In the course of their discussion, Ramanuja soon realized that Yamunacharya was a qualified spiritual master of the science of devotion. Overwhelmed with ecstasy and jubilation, Ramanuja fell at his feet and asked to be accepted as his disciple.


Yamuna instantly raised Ramanuja up from the floor, and embracing him with deep love, said, "My child, I am blessed today by seeing your devotion to God. May you live a long and fruitful life always being intent in the service of Narayana, the Personality of Godhead." Ramanuja then circumambulated his guru to invoke auspiciousness, and Yamuna left for Sri Rangam.
Ramanuja and the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya | Sri Narasingha Chaitanya Ashram


True He too abandoned his wife, no one really cared.
So he was a free marketeer, he thought he could attract more followers and make more money this way. Motives matter.
It is like opening a Walmart or Target store in USA. It is dictated not by philosophy or the consumer it is the almighty dollar.
 
Last edited:
Dear PJ Sir,

Thank you for posting this wonderful summation of teachings by the great Tridandi Sanyasi, Srimad Ramanujacharya! They are divine to the ears and the heart, a medicine to the most downtrodden soul, if only they would (or could) hear! Thanks for these golden words!

With regards,

Jayashree
 
Dear PJ ji,

Here is a short summation of the divine works of Srimad Ramanujacharya and others of the great SriVaishnava lineage (not listing his works such as Bhasyas, but his humanitarian works) which shows the greatness of our master, the great Sanyasi:

1. Against the words of his guru, Thirukoshtiyur Nambi, Srimad Ramanujacharya risks facing eternal hell and damnation (as people 1000 yrs ago believed) and climbed the temple tower of Thirukkoshtiyur and gave out the meaning of 'Om Namo Narayanaya namah' - the Narayana Ashtakshari to one and all gathered there. This earned him the title of 'Emperumanar' because he was giving to everyone risking his own damnation.

2. For Maraneri Nambi, one of the profound disciples of Alavandar belonging to 4th varna, Mahapurna, another disciple of Alavandar and guru of Srimad Ramanuja, performs cremation and the Brahmamedha ceremonies, normally done for the Brahmanas. When Sri Ramanuja questions his guru about this, the guru (Mahapurna) replies that Sri Rama of the Ikshavaku race did perform this Brahmamedha ceremony to Jatayu. And if Sri Rama could perform this, whether he was superior to Rama to decide he could not do this to a disciple of Alavandar who was not inferior to Jatayu! Mahapurna additionally cites Dharmaputrra in having done Brahmamedha ceremony to Vidura.

3. Ramanuja wanted to wake the spiritual awareness of those belonging to the 4th varna first, and then gradually with societal approval, wanted to elevate their societal status.


4. He allowed and brought about a sanction that the 4th varna can visit upto the dwajasthamba (flagstaff) in a temple and that on a special day of the week, that they can have a dip in the holy temple pond too.


5. He administered Panchasamkara procedure to several people belonging to 4th varna and initiated them into the Srivaishnava order. One of them was a lady who, when Sri Ramanuja eventually told her to move away from the path, replied to Ramanuja very philosophically. To this, Sri Ramanuja understood her spiritual greatness and did the panchasamskara to initiate her into the order. Another was an archer from 4th varna, who Sri Ramanuja not only initiated by giving panchasamskara but also went as far as leaning on him AFTER his ritualistic and purifying bath every morning while he returned back to the SriRangam temple.

Dear PJ ji, I am currently reading 'THE LIFE OF SRIMAD RAMANUJACHARYA' from the SriVaishnava website acharya.org. I encourage you to read the great works in this website in your free time. Even listening to works such as by the great selfless Sanyasi Srimad Ramanujacharya and modern day erudite schlars cum great devotees such as Sri Velukkudi Krishnan are capable of redeeming us from the burdens of this worldly existence!

Warm regards,

Jayashree
 
prasad1 said:
Sir,

Ramanujaopened a small school at his home, and in no time many people began to come tohim to hear his devotional discourses. Ramanuja's lectures were whollytheistic. He rejected the concept that the jiva, a living entity, could beequal to the Supreme Brahman or become God as postulated by Shankara. Theliving entity, Ramanuja taught, is a particle of Godhead, and as such, hisposition is to serve the complete whole. He said that as the hand is part ofthe body and thus a servant of the body, similarly the living entity is part ofthe Supreme and thus his constitutional position is to serve the Supreme.
Click to expand...

Peryour statement, Ramanuja was not in conformity with Sankara’s teachings. Beinga Tamil speaking Smartha (Vadama Sect) he could have stayed in the Smartha folditself and established his philosophy, by challenging the work of Sankara, whowas a Namboodhri, taking into account Lord Shiva as his presiding deity. He had difference of opinion with Sankar's philosophy and not SmarthaSect. Therefore, he could have preached his philosophy remaining as aSmartha.Why didn’t’ he do that?

One of my friends told me that he was not treated well in the Smartha Sect and totally ignored,since Sankara’s philosophy was well established among Tamil speaking Smarthas.Feeling isolation, which challenged his ego, he left Smartha fold andVaishnavism which badly in need of a spiritual leader utilized this opportunityby accepting him and he embraced Vaishnavism.

Govindathen returned to the camp and told the others that while he and Ramanuja werelooking for wild berries in the forest, a tiger had pounced upon Ramanuja anddragged his helpless body away. Outwardly Yadava and his disciples displayedsymptoms of sorrow, but inwardly their hearts leaped with joy. Ramanuja was nowgone from their lives forever. Or so they thought.
Click to expand...

Whowas Govinda?

Did Govinda lie to his supporters that Ramanuja was dragged by tiger or was ita fact? If it was a lie, where did Ramanuja go?
Click to expand...
 
JR said:
Madam,

1. Against the words of his guru, Thirukoshtiyur Nambi, Srimad Ramanujacharya risks facing eternal hell and damnation (as people 1000 yrs ago believed) and climbed the temple tower of Thirukkoshtiyur and gave out the meaning of 'Om Namo Narayanaya namah' - the Narayana Ashtakshari to one and all gathered there. This earned him the title of 'Emperumanar' because he was giving to everyone risking his own damnation.
Click to expand...

If the temple tower was huge, was it possible to hear his speech by all who assembled below. You have not mentioned the language in which he made his speech. If it was in Sanskrit, it could have reached only the Brahmins.

2. For Maraneri Nambi, one of the profound disciples of Alavandar belonging to 4th varna, Mahapurna, another disciple of Alavandar and guru of Srimad Ramanuja, performs cremation and the Brahmamedha ceremonies, normally done for the Brahmanas. When Sri Ramanuja questions his guru about this, the guru (Mahapurna) replies that Sri Rama of the Ikshavaku race did perform this Brahmamedha ceremony to Jatayu. And if Sri Rama could perform this, whether he was superior to Rama to decide he could not do this to a disciple of Alavandar who was not inferior to Jatayu! Mahapurna additionally cites Dharmaputrra in having done Brahmamedha ceremony to Vidura.
Click to expand...

What do you want to say by the above?

3. Ramanuja wanted to wake the spiritual awareness of those belonging to the 4th varna first, and then gradually with societal approval, wanted to elevate their societal status.

4. He allowed and brought about a sanction that the 4th varna can visit upto the dwajasthamba (flagstaff) in a temple and that on a special day of the week, that they can have a dip in the holy temple pond too.
Click to expand...

Was it not highly disgusting? Ramanuja had not shown any real courtesy. Actually, the 4th varna was given some exemption. They (4th varnas) were allowed to visit only upto flagstaff and dip in the tank on specific day. In any case, they remained the same as 4th varna. In what way Ramanuja was different from other orthodox brahmins.
5. He administered Panchasamkara procedure to several people belonging to 4th varna and initiated them into the Srivaishnava order.
Click to expand...


Were the transformed 4th varna after Panchasamkara treated as brahmins? If not, it was nothing but mere conversion.
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Share this page

Share this page

Latest posts

Latest ads

Follow us on Social Media

Back
Top