Ramanujacharya – Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

"That woman was singing the tales of the Ramayana insuch a sweet voice," came the reply, "and I was socaptivated by hearing the pastimes of Sri Ramacandra that Icould not bring myself to leave. For this reason my morningduties have been neglected" On hearing this, everyone wasfilled with wonder to understand Govinda's simplicity andnatural devotion.GOVINDA'S SANNYASAA few days later Govinda's mother, Diptimati, came toRamanujacarya. "My child," she said, "Govinda's wife is nowgrown up and of a suitable age to bear children. Please askhim to perform his duty by perpetuating our family, for hewill not listen to me. When I raised the matter with himpreviously, he told me, 'You may bring my wife to me when Ihave completed my service to Yatiraja and have some freetime.' But up until this day he has never had any free time,being always absorbed in his service."Ramanuja then called for Govinda and instructed himthat, as a householder, it was his duty to have children whocould be trained as pure devotees. "Purify your mind of thelower modes of nature," he told him, "and then live withyour wife and raise a family." Govinda, as always, acceptedhis cousin's order and went away to carry out hisinstructions.However, a few days later Ramanuja's aunt came to himagain, complaining that Govinda still had not adopted thelife of a grhastha. When he was called to come beforeYatiraja, Govinda explained the situation. "0 Master, youinstructed me to purify my mind of the lower modes of natureand then to live with my wife and beget children. However, Ifind that when my devotion to the Lord is completely pure, Icannot even think of family life or begetting children.Therefore it has now become very difficult for me to followyour instructions."When he had listened to Govinda's submission,Ramanujacarya was silent for some time. Then he said,"Govinda, now that I understand the state of your mind, Iconsider that it is your duty to take sannyasa immediately,for a person must accept the regulations of the status oflife that is most suitable or him. This is the injunction ofthe scriptures. As you have attained complete mastery overthe senses, you are quite fit to be a sannyasi. " Govindawas very pleased to hear his cousin's words and bowed downat his feet.With the permission of Diptimati, Yatiraja began toarrange for the ceremony without delay. In the presence ofthe sacred fire, Govinda was offered the danda and kamandaluand thus became a Vaisnava sannyasi. With effulgent featuresand tears of ecstasy in his eyes, his pure appearanceattracted the minds of all those present at the ceremony.76