Ramanujacharya – Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

the other that of His conch. When the two discs were hot,Mahapurna pressed them onto Ramanuja's right and left arms,thus marking them with the signs of Lord Visnu. Finally,meditating on the lotus feet of Yamunacarya, Mahapurnawhispered the Vaisnava mantra into Ramanuja's ear. When theinitiation was thus completed, Ramanuja returned toKancipuram, accompanied by his guru and his guru’s wife.When they arrived, they were welcomed by Kancipurna,who took great pleasure in associating with Mahapurna. AtRamanuja's request, Mahapurna then also initiatedRaksakambal. Half the house was given over to Mahapurna andhis wife, and every day Ramanuja would study the Vaisnavascriptures in his association.RAKSAKAMBAL'S PRIDESix months passed by quickly, while Ramanuja feltgreat satisfaction in hearing all the truths of Vaisnavaphilosophy from Mahapurna. One day, while both Ramanuja andMahapurna were away from home, Raksakambal went to the wellto get water. It so happened that Mahapurna's wife wasdrawing water at the same time, and while so doing a fewdrops from her pitcher felt into that of Raksakambal, whoimmediately flew into a rage. "Are you blind?" she shouted."Look what you have done! By your carelessness a wholepitcher of water is wasted. Do you think that you can sit onmy shoulders just because you are the gurus wife? Justremember that my father's family is of a superior lineage toyours, so how can I use water that has been touched by you?But why should I blame you, for having fallen into the handsof this husband of mine all my caste and position is lost."When she heard these harsh words, Mahapurna's wife,who was by nature calm and modest, begged forgiveness fromRaksakambal. However, being very disturbed by the woman'sanger, she set down her pitcher and began to weep quietly.When Mahapurna returned and found his wife in thatdistressed condition, he asked her what was the cause of herunhappiness. When he learned of everything that had takenplace at the well, Mahapurna became thoughtful. Eventuallyhe said, "It is no longer the will of Lord Narayana that weshould remain here, and for this reason he has caused you tohear these unkind words from the mouth of Raksakambal. Donot be sorry over this matter, for whatever the Lord ordainsis for our good. Because we have not worshipped the lotusfeet of Lord Ranganatha for a long time, He now desires thatwe go back to Him."DEPARTURE OF MAHAPURNAWithout waiting for Ramanuja to return, Mahapurna andhis wife then collected together their few possessions and43