Ramanujacharya – Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

ahmanas were from Kancipuram, he immediately inquired fromthem about the welfare of Ramanuja. They told him he had nowgiven up hearing from Yadavaprakasa and was studying thescriptures alone. Yamunacarya was very pleased to hear thatthe young devotee was now freed from the dangers of hearingmayavada philosophy, and there and then he composed eightverses glorifying the mercy of the Lord upon His devotees.He then instructed Mahapurna, one of his seniordisciples, "Please go to Kanci and bring Ramanuja here, forI long to see him in the midst of our company of Vaisnavas."Mahapurna offered obeisances at the feet of his guru, andthat same day he departed to carry out his order.DISAPPEARANCE OF YAMUNACARYAA few days after the departure of Mahapurna,Alabandara's body was afflicted with sickness once more.Despite the intence pain he had to undergo, he still tookhis bath and went to the temple to see Lord Ranganatha, theLord of his heart. He took a little maha-prasada and thenreturned to the asrama, where he called for all of hishouseholder disciples to come to him.First of all, in a mood of great humility, he beggedthem to forgive any offense that he might have made towardsthem. He then asked them to take care of the brahmacari andsannyasi disciples who were living at the asrama. Finally,Yamunacarya gave his last instruction to his householderdisciples. "Every day you should rise early and go to thetemple to worship Lord Ranganatha, smelling the flowers thathave been offered to His lotus feet. In this way your mindand intelligence will become purified, and you will becomefixed in your devotion to Lord Narayana. In addition youshould always be devoted to your spiritual master and beattentive in serving guests."When the householder disciples had left, Alabandarasat in a lotus position and concentrated his mind on thefeet of Lord Hari. The remaining disciples began to chantthe holy name of Lord Narayana in congregation, accompaniedby the sweet sounds of the flute and other instruments. AsYamunacarya became even more deeply immersed in thoughts ofthe Supreme Personality of Godhead, tears of ecstasy randown his cheeks and his body began to tremble. In thisecstatic state of devotional love the great acarya gave uphis body and returned to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord,his eternal, beloved master.Immediately the kirtana stopped, and many of thedisciples began to cry aloud in lamentation, while othersfainted and fell unconscious to the ground. After some timethe sannyasis and Yamunacarya’s son, Purna, collectedthemselves and began to make preparations for the funeralceremony. The body was washed and dressed in new clothesbefore being placed on a decorated palanquin. Then, in slow34