Ramanujacharya â Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

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procession, they carried the palanquin down to the banks ofthe Kaveri River, followed by almost all the inhabitants ofSri Rangam. There, amidst great lamentation, the body of thepure devotee was buried, as is the custom for those who haveachieved the perfectional stage of devotional service.MEETING WITH MAHAPURNAMeanwhile, on the order of his guru, Mahapurnajourneyed to Kancipuram and arrived there after travellingsteadily for four days. He immediately went to the temple tosee Lord Varadaraja, and as he was leaving he happened tomeet Kancipurna, who invited him to spend the night at hisasrama. The two devotees passed the evening in discussingtopics about the Lord.Early the next morning they set out together for theholy well and, as they approached, saw Ramanuja coming witha water jug on his shoulder to perform his daily service forLord Varadaraja. Kancipurrna said, "I must leave you now toworship the Lord in the temple. Here is Ramanuja; go andtell him of your intentions."Mahapurna was very happy to see the effulgent youngdevotee coming towards him, appearing so pure and free fromthe vices of this world. Instinctively he began to chantprayers from Yamunacarya’s Stotra-ratna. Hearing thesebeautiful hymns in praise of Lord Narayana being sung insuch a sweet voice, Ramanuja stood silently, listeningintently to the verses. Then he approached Mahapurna andinquired, "Sir, who has composed these wonderful verses,that so sweetly praise the qualities of the Supreme Lord?Just by your singing this morning my heart has beenuplifted.""These hymns were composed by my spiritual master,the venerable Yamunacarya," Mahapurna replied.Ramanuja was very pleased to hear the name of thefamous devotee, but he inquired in a concerned voice, "I hadheard that the great Alabandara was afflicted by illness. Ishe now recovered? How long is it since you were in hispresence?""It is but five days since I left the side of myguru-maharaja," replied Mahapurna, "and at that time he hadjust recovered from his sickness."Ramanuja was relieved to hear this news, and, beinganxious to associate further with the saintly Mahapurna, heinvited him to stay at his house. Then Mahapurna explainedthe purpose of his coming to Kancipuram. "I have come tothis holy city at the request of the great soul Yamunacarya,simply to meet with you and invite you, on his behalf, tocome to Rangaksetra, so that we may have your association."Ramanuja could hardly believe such an exalted devoteewas even aware of his existence, let alone being desirous ofhis association. However, Mahapurna reassured him by saying,35
"My master wishes to see you, and it is for this purposealone that I have come here. His health has been muchimpaired by repeated illness, and, although he now seems alittle better, I think that we should start immediately ifyou wish to fulfill his <strong>desire</strong>."Ramanuja was so pleased by this unexpected news thathe could only ascribe his good fortune to the mercy of LordVaradaraja. Excitedly he said to Mahapurna, "Please waithere for a short while until I have delivered this water tothe temple and taken the Lord's permission to leave."Saying this he hurried off towards the temple. Just ashort time later he returned, all ready to start on thejourney. Mahapurna asked, "What about your family? Shouldyou not first inform them of your intentions?""Obedience to the order of the guru is more importantthan any considerations of household life," repliedRamanuja. "Let us depart at once, for I am eager to see SriYamunacarya."ARRIVAL IN SRI RANGAMThus, they set out on their journey southwardstowards the holy city of Sri Rangam. Each evening they wouldstop for the night at the home of some pious brahmanadevotee, and during the day they would travel with allpossible haste. In this way they arrived at the banks of theKaveri River in four days and immediately crossed over toSri Rangam. They had intended to go straight away to theasrama of Yamunacarya, which was close to the temple of LordRanganatha, but they found the road blocked by a large crowdof people. When Mahapurna asked the reason for this greatassembly, one man replied, "Sir, what can I say? The earthis now bereft of its most beautiful gem, for MahatmaAlabandara has returned to the abode of the Lord."When he heard these words, Ramanuja immediatelyfainted and fell to the ground unconscious, while Mahapurnacried aloud in anguish, beating his forehead with the palmsof his hands. After some time, Mahapurna composed himself,and, seeing Ramanuja still lying unconscious on the ground,he fetched some water and sprinkled it over the young man'sface. When Ramanuja slowly opened his eyes, he heard thesewords of consolation, "Do not be overwhelmed by grief, forwe can be sure that everything is taking place by the willof Lord Narayana. Now let us go and see that pure formbefore it is interred."RAMANUJA'S THREE VOWSRamanuja followed Mahapurna to the banks of theKaveri. When they saw the body of Yamunacarya, Mahapurnafell at his feet, bathing them with tears, while Ramanuja36
Page 1 and 2: The Life ofRamanujacaryaTABLE OF CO
Page 3 and 4: egan to learn the wonderfully instr
Page 5 and 6: Ramanuja. Despite some minor philos
Page 7 and 8: For the devotees, Hi manifests His
Page 9 and 10: YAMUNACARYAIn the south of India ma
Page 11 and 12: furious rage to inform his teacher
Page 13 and 14: and faithful to her husband as was
Page 15 and 16: that there was little chance of his
Page 17 and 18: all the pleasures of my worldly lif
Page 19 and 20: with his wife to the temple of Sri
Page 21 and 22: THE FIRSTCONFRONTATIONOne day when
Page 23 and 24: "Sir, surely you could just forbid
Page 25 and 26: quickly dispelled all the misgiving
Page 27 and 28: shrine of the Saivites and dedicate
Page 29 and 30: was on everyone's lips. Yadavapraka
Page 31 and 32: Having given this advice to the you
Page 33: ahmanas were from Kancipuram, he im
Page 37 and 38: long periods he would remain alone,
Page 39 and 40: KANCIPURNA'S VISIT TO TIRUPATIMeanw
Page 41 and 42: ‘All of you may recall how, just
Page 43 and 44: departed for Sri Rangam. While Maha
Page 45 and 46: RAMANUJA BEGINS HIS TEACHINGAll the
Page 47 and 48: Seeing the devotional sentiments in
Page 49 and 50: When the discourse was completed an
Page 51 and 52: To this the priest replied, "You do
Page 53 and 54: 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
Page 90 and 91:
considering him fallen, and that he
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 106 and 107:
At about the same time the devotees
Page 108:
When Ramanuja had finished speaking
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