Ramanujacharya â Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

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year, and every day the aged acarya would recite theRamayana to him, adding his own inspired explanations to theverses. At the end of one year their study of the Ramayanawas complete and Ramanuja considered himself highlyfortunate to have been able to hear this scripture from sucha learned devotee.GOVINDA'S UNUSUAL BEHAVIORWhile he was staying at Sailapurna's asrama, Yatirajawas astonished by the behavior of his cousin on a number ofoccasions. One day he saw Govinda preparing his gurus bed,but he was shocked to see his cousin lie down himself uponthe same bed. Ramanuja was disturbed to see such apparentlydisrespectful behavior and went at once to informSailapurna, who immediately summoned his disciple to hispresence."Do you know what happens," he asked Govinda, "to onewho sees fit to lie down on his guru’s bed?""One who lies down on the bed of his guru iscertainly destined for hell," replied Govinda calmly."If you are aware of the consequences, then why doyou act in such a way?" Sailapurna then inquired.To this Govinda replied, "Every day I lie down onyour bed just to make sure that it is comfortable and thatyour rest will be undisturbed. If it ensures your comfort,then I am certainly willing to remain eternally in hell."When Yatiraja heard his cousin's humble submission, he feltashamed of his ignorance in misjudging Govinda and beggedhis forgiveness.On another occasion Ramanuja saw his cousin behavingin a manner that was totally bewildering. He saw Govindaholding a snake in his left hand and repeatedly thrustingthe finger of his right hand into the creature's mouth,causing it almost to die from pain. After taking his bath,Govinda came to Ramanuja, who inquired from him, "Why wereyou acting in such a strange way with that snake? It wassheer madness, and only due to good fortune were you notbitten. By acting like a cruel child you not only placedyourself in great danger, but also caused needless sufferingto the poor creature, which is now lying there almost dead.""But my dear brother," replied Govinda, "while eatingsomething that snake had got a thorn stuck in its throat andwas writhing in pain when I found it. I was putting myfinger into its mouth only to remove that thorn. Now itappears lifeless only because of exhaustion and will soon befully recovered." Yatiraja was both surprised and gratifiedto see Govinda's compassion on his fellow living beings, andafter this incident his love for his cousin became even moreprofound.73
RETURNING TO KANCIAfter thus passing one year at Sri Saila, hearing theRamayana from Acarya Sailapurna, Ramanuja decided to returnto Sri Rangam. When he came, before Sailapurna to offer hisrespects before departing, that elderly disciple ofYamunacarya said to him, "My son, having you with me herefor this last year has given me great pleasure. Now if thereis anything that you <strong>desire</strong> from me, just ask, and, if it iswithin my power, I will give it to you."To this Ramanuja replied, "0 Mahatma, please give meyour disciple Govinda. That is my only request."Sailapurna assented at once, and so it was with greathappiness that Yatiraja set off for Sri Rangam in theassociation of his beloved cousin. After travelling forseveral days they came to the city of Kancipuram, whereRamanuja and Govinda had grown up together.SAILAPURNA'S DEALINGS WITH GOVINDAThey first went to see Lord Varadaraja and then on tovisit Kancipurna, the great devotee and old friend ofRamanuja. After describing to him Govinda's wonderfuldevotion to his guru, Ramanuja finally begged Kancipurna,"Please bless my cousin and make him even more devoted tohis guru and even more merciful toward all living entities."On hearing this Kancipurna smiled and said, "The Lordalways fulfills your <strong>desire</strong>s. No harm can ever befall onewho has your blessings." But having observed a disconsolatetook on Govinda's face, he added, "Your cousin is sufferinggreatly due to feelings of separation from his beloved guru.Why don't you send him back to Sri Saila, so that he canresume his service to Sailapurna, which is the delight ofhis life?"Ramanuja considered Kancipurna's words for some time.Then he went over to Govinda and instructed him to leaveimmediately and return to the shelter of his spiritualmaster. Govinda was very pleased to receive this instructionand travelled quickly back to Sri Saila by the shortestpossible route.However, when Sailapurna heard of Govinda's return,he did not so much as glance at him or call him to takeprasada. Eventually the acaryas wife, a kind-hearted lady,said to her husband, "You may or may not speak to Govinda,but you must at least feed him""It is not my duty to feed a horse that has beensold," replied Sailapurna. "He should take shelter of hisnew master alone."When he heard these words, Govinda, who was standingat the door, understood his gurus mind and left at once torejoin his cousin. On arriving at Kancipuram, he went beforeRamanuja and bowed down at his feet, saying, "From this day74
Page 1 and 2:
The Life ofRamanujacaryaTABLE OF CO
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egan to learn the wonderfully instr
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Ramanuja. Despite some minor philos
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For the devotees, Hi manifests His
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YAMUNACARYAIn the south of India ma
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furious rage to inform his teacher
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and faithful to her husband as was
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that there was little chance of his
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all the pleasures of my worldly lif
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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 and 34: ahmanas were from Kancipuram, he im
Page 35 and 36: "My master wishes to see you, and i
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: offense, they all submitted a petit
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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