Ramanujacharya â Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

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At about the same time the devotees of Bhuta-puri,Ramanuja's birthplace, also made an image of their guru andinstalled it in the temple according to the proper Vedicrituals. When he heard about this, Yatiraja shed tears andsaid, "The people of Bhutapuri have made me their captive bythe love and devotion that they unceasingly offer to me."PREACHING IN SRI RANGAMHowever, the most fortunate of all were the devoteesof Sri Rangam, for they were able to see Yatiraja constantlyand listen every day to his discourses on the glories ofLord Narayana. From miles around people came to see thegreat acarya and on his order took up the path of devotionalservice.For many more years Ramanuja continued to reside inthe holy city of Sri Rangam - until he was one hundred andtwenty years old. During his life he had establishedseventy-four centers for the Sri Vaisnavas and had manythousands of followers, including several kings and manywealthy landowners. Apart from the householders, he numberedamongst his followers 700 sannyasis, 12,000 brahmacaris, and300 ketti ammais, (ladies who had taken vows ofrenunciation). Eventually, seeing that his mission on earthwas now completed, he decided to give up his frail body andreturn to the abode of the Lord. Seeing their spiritualmaster becoming fixed in a mood of intense devotion, many ofYatiraja's disciples were overcome and began to lamentloudly.FINAL INSTRUCTIONSOn hearing their cries, Ramanujacarya came out of histrance and said to his disciples, "My dear children, why doyou cry out in lamentation like uneducated men? Do you thinkthis body can endure forever? Am I not fixed in your heartsfor all time? Therefore, give up this useless wailing andunderstand the will of the Lord."To this the disciples all replied, "0 master, asalways your instructions are perfect. Nonetheless, it isimpossible for us to bear the pain of separation which mustsurely overwhelm us if you leave us now. Out of pity foryour children, we beg you to remain with us for some timemore."In response to this request, Ramanuja agreed to staywith them for three more days. He ordered that all of hisdisciples should come there, and, when they were assembled,he delivered his final instructions. "Worship all Vaisnavasas you worship your guru," he told them. "Have faith in theprevious acaryas and never be controlled by the senses.Never be satisfied simply by worldly knowledge. Study the107
scriptures that describe the glories of the Supreme Lord.Transcendental knowledge can overcome the pushings of themind and senses. Be indifferent to the promptings of themind. Always relish the chanting of the holy name andqualities of the Lord. The best way to serve the Lord isrendering service to his devotees. Never follow the ways ofa Vaisnava for material gain. Always endeavor for purity."Every day spend some time in contemplating thegreatness of the spiritual master, and every day study theteachings of the Vaisnava acaryas. Always associate withthose who are surrendered to the Lord. Avoid those who teachpaths other than devotional service and those interested insensual pleasures. One who sees the Deity as stone, the guruas an ordinary man, the devotees in terms of caste or bodilydesignation, caranamrita as ordinary water, the holy name ofthe Lord as a mundane sound vibration, or the Supreme Lordas one of the demigods, is certainly destined for hellishlife"When Yatiraja had finished speaking, the disciplesquestioned him further, asking how they should conductthemselves while in this world. Again Ramanujacaryainstructed them, "One who has surrendered to Lord Narayanashould not be concerned about his future, depending alwayson the Lord's mercy. All duties should be performed as actsof devotion to the Lord and never for material gain."Study the Sri-bhasya and teach it to others - thisservice is the most pleasing to the Lord. If this is notpossible, then study the teachings of other devotees andthen instruct some disciples. If you are unable to do this,then go to a holy place and reside there or go to Yadavadriand serve the Lord there. If you cannot do this, then remainwhere you are and surrender to your guru and meditate on theVaisnava mantras. If all of these are impossible, thensimply seek out a pure-hearted Vaisnava and associate withhim constantly."Discriminate carefully between friends, enemies, andthose who are indifferent. Those who are Vaisnavas will beyour friends, the atheists and blasphemers wilt despise andhate you, and the worldly men will be indifferent. Associatejoyfully with the devotees, rigorously avoid theblasphemers, and never be disturbed by the materialisticplans of worldly men. Never flatter princes and worldly men,seeking to earn your livelihood thereby. Remember that theSupreme Lord always takes care of those who are surrenderedto Him. Take shelter of Him and have faith in Him alone. Ifyou follow these instructions, then you will never beseparated from me. Why should one grieve over thedisappearance of the temporary body?"DISAPPEARANCE OF RAMANUJACARYA108
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The Life ofRamanujacaryaTABLE OF CO
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egan to learn the wonderfully instr
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Ramanuja. Despite some minor philos
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For the devotees, Hi manifests His
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YAMUNACARYAIn the south of India ma
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furious rage to inform his teacher
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and faithful to her husband as was
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that there was little chance of his
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all the pleasures of my worldly lif
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with his wife to the temple of Sri
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THE FIRSTCONFRONTATIONOne day when
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"Sir, surely you could just forbid
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quickly dispelled all the misgiving
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shrine of the Saivites and dedicate
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was on everyone's lips. Yadavapraka
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Having given this advice to the you
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ahmanas were from Kancipuram, he im
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"My master wishes to see you, and i
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long periods he would remain alone,
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KANCIPURNA'S VISIT TO TIRUPATIMeanw
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‘All of you may recall how, just
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departed for Sri Rangam. While Maha
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RAMANUJA BEGINS HIS TEACHINGAll the
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Seeing the devotional sentiments in
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When the discourse was completed an
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To this the priest replied, "You do
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to your words, so many people are n
Page 55 and 56: DASARATHI'S HUMILITYDasarathi then
Page 57 and 58: great attention. When he heard Rama
Page 59 and 60: ADOPTING THE WAYS OF ROBBERSBeing a
Page 61 and 62: of the huge boat as it moved slowly
Page 63 and 64: THE PRIEST'S REPENTENCEHowever, in
Page 65 and 66: he walked over to the monastery whe
Page 67 and 68: make a flower garden and serve Lord
Page 69 and 70: However, when he heard about the wo
Page 71 and 72: offense, they all submitted a petit
Page 73 and 74: RETURNING TO KANCIAfter thus passin
Page 75 and 76: "That woman was singing the tales o
Page 77 and 78: However, that night as he was lying
Page 79 and 80: challenged by some of the local sch
Page 81 and 82: the birthplace of Nathamuni, Yamuna
Page 83 and 84: and so he and his wife were fasting
Page 85 and 86: from His temple, the throng of peop
Page 87: enclosed by walls on all sides, as
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Page 92 and 93: and the other devotees also left th
Page 94 and 95: However, the atrocities that Kulott
Page 96 and 97: just by looking at the girl's face.
Page 98 and 99: festival days. This form of the Lor
Page 100 and 101: up her body. Being immersed in cont
Page 102 and 103: heard Lord Varadaraja speak to him
Page 104 and 105: take part in the festivities. Many
Page 108: When Ramanuja had finished speaking
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