Ramanujacharya – Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

A few days later, while Ramanuja was talking withKuresa, he instructed him to go back to Kancipuram. "Go andtake shelter of Lord Varadaraja" he told him, "for He willsurely remove your blindness. King Koluttunga is now dead,and so there is nothing to fear"Assisted by his wife and two sons, Kuresa wentstraight to Kancipuram where he engaged in the worship ofSri Varadaraja. All day he would remain in the temple,constantly reciting bhajans in praise of the Supreme Lord.Eventually the Lord spoke to him, saying, "Kuresa, what isyour desire? Whatever you want I shall give to you."Kuresa then replied, "0 Lord, my only prayer is thatYou bestow Your mercy on Caturgrama and deliver him frommaterial existence"This prayer wonderfully reveals the true nature of apure devotee, for it was this Caturgrama who had caused allof Kuresa's suffering. Originally one of Kuresa's disciples,he had turned away from his spiritual master and become aminister in the court of King Koluttunga. When the king wasendeavoring to get signatures from various Vaisnavasadmitting the supremacy of Lord Siva, it was Caturgrama whoadvised him that the submission of Yatiraja alone would beenough to bring about the conversion of the kingdom. Thus,although this sinful man had been the cause of so manydifficulties for the devotees, still Kuresa prayed that LordVaradaraja would have mercy upon him.The Lord accepted this request and Kuresa continuedsinging His glories. Again the Lord spoke to His devotee,offering him a benediction. This time Kuresa said to theLord, "May King Koluttunga be the object of Your greatestmercy." When Lord Varadaraja agreed to this, Kuresa wasfilled with ecstasy and without regard for his own wellbeing,he left the temple and returned to his asrama.KURESA AND LORD VARADARAJAWhen Ramanujacarya, who was still residing inYadavadri, came to hear about these wonderful benedictionsthat Kuresa had begged from Lord Varadaraja, he sent amessage to his disciple in Kancipuram. In this he said, "Mydear Kuresa, I am very glad to hear of the ecstasy you arefeeling from delivering those who have wronged you. However,in this you have shown great selfishness by keeping thehappiness to yourself. Now you must make me happy as well bybegging the Lord for the return of your sight. Do you notknow that your body and mind are my property? Thus it isyour duty to maintain them on my behalf."When Kuresa received this message, he felt jubilantat heart, thinking that now Ramanuja had accepted him as afully surrendered servant. Immediately he hastened to thetemple and stood before Lord Varadaraja with folded hands.After singing the praises of the Lord for some time, Kuresa102