Ramanujacharya – Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

offense, they all submitted a petition. "0 pure one, ifgreat souls such as yourself are unwilling to walk upon thesacred hill of Sri Saila, then all the common people willact in the same way and even the priests will be afraid togo up to the temple. Therefore please change your decisionand agree to climb the hill. The hearts of pure devotees arethe real temples of Sri Hari, for He is always present wherepure devotion is manifest. The places of pilgrimage becomeeven more sanctified because they are visited by the greatdevotees."MEETING WITH SAILAPURNAAccepting the appeals of these holy men, Yatirajachanged his decision and set off with all his disciples toclimb the hill. The ascent is long and steep, and after sometime Ramanuja became fatigued due to hunger and thirst.While they were resting by the side of the path, Ramanuja'suncle, the Vaisnava acarya Sri Sailapurna, appeared there,having come to bring mama-prasada and caranamrita from thetemple at the top of the hill. Seeing this saintly devoteeperforming such menial service on his behalf, Ramanuja was alittle disturbed and hesaid, "Why are you behaving in thisway? Why should such a learned acarya as yourself take suchtrouble for a lowly person like me? Surely a boy could havebeen engaged to perform this service.""I was thinking in this way, too," repliedSailapurna, "but after searching for someone suitable Icouldfind no one less respectable than myself. For this reason Ihave come to you personally." Ramanuja was very satisfied tohear this reply from his uncle, for he could understand thathumility is one of the Vaisnava's most essential qualities.He then offered obeisances at the feet of Sri Sailapurna andhappily honored the prasada along with his disciples. Beingrelieved from their fatigue, the party then continued up thehill until they reached the famous temple of Venkatesvara.Having circumambulated the temple, Ramanuja wentbefore the Deity to offer prayers and obeisances. On seeingthe beauty of the Lord his heart became filled withdevotional ecstasy, and tears began to flow down his cheeks.Quickly the symptoms of love of God overwhelmed him, and hepassed from external consciousness, falling to the ground ina faint. When he eventually regained his senses, the priestsof the temple brought large quantities of maha-prasada bothfor Yatiraja and all of his disciples. All the devotees feltgreat happiness in seeing that holy shrine and remained atthe temple for three days.During this time Govinda, Ramanuja's cousin, who wasa disciple of Sailapurna, came there to join the party. Thetwo devotees were delighted to see one another again andembraced each other in great happiness. At the request ofSailapurna, Ramanujacarya remained at Sri Saila for the next72