Ramanujacharya – Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

was on everyone's lips. Yadavaprakasa, however, was not atall pleased by the turn of events, seeing that his positionhad been minimized by one of his own students. Now everyonewas aware that Ramanuja was far greater in spiritual potencythan Yadavaprakasa, and this was not at all to the liking ofthe proud mayavadi.In addition, Ramanuja's intense devotion to LordVisnu was completely incompatible with the dry monisticdoctrines expounded by his teacher. Therefore, it seemedthat conflict between the two was inevitable.RAMANUJA'S EXPULSION FROM SCHOOLThe final confrontation was not long in coming. Onlya few weeks after Ramanuja's deliverance of the princess,all the students were assembled to hear Yadavaprakasalecture on the mantras, sarvam khalv idam brahma -'everything is brahman' and, neha nanasti kincana-'there isnothing else in this world'. He was presenting theimpersonalist philosophy in such an expert way that all hisstudents were captivated by his explanations of the onenessof the jiva soul and the Supreme Brahman. Only Ramanujashowed any signs of unhappiness at the acaryas statements.At the end of the class he spoke up, saying, "Thewords sarvam khalv idam brahma do not mean that the SupremeAbsolute Truth is nothing but the sum total of all creation.Rather, it is seen that the universe comes from the Supremeas His energy, is maintained by Him and, in the end itdissolves back into Him. He maintains His own separateidentity, although everything is indeed a part of Hisexpanded energy. The words neha nanasti kincana do not meanthat there is no variety at all in this world. Rather, weshould understand that all the varieties of creation areheld as one, just as separate pearls are held on one thread,although they are still individual entities. Thus, we cansee how everything is both one and separate at the sametime."On hearing his teachings nullified by Ramanuja inthis way, Yadavaprakasa became very angry and he spokeharshly, "If you do not like my explanations of thescriptures, then do not come to me any more"."As you wish, sir" Ramanuja replied. He thenworshipped the feet of his teacher and left the school,never to return again.KANCIPURNAThe next day as Ramanuja was sitting at home studyingthe scriptures by himself, Kancipurna came to visit him. Aswe have heard before, Kancipurna was a pure devotee of the30