[NeroASERCH]

He is the greatest Spiritual person and the outstanding Philosopher the world has ever seen.

[radikal]

Shall we exchange our thoughts about Sri Ramanujacharya..

The great Philosopher and Social reformer.....

Born and brought up at Sri Perumbudhur... Just few hours drive from Chennai....

Was instrumental in developing Vaishnavism

Long before, he broke the ills of casteism....

Treated all with equal respect....

Looking forward to more and more information about him and his philosophy on VISHISTADVAITHAM...

Thanks for initiating a Good Topic .... many are unaware of.

What is meant by these words... "Was instrumental in developing Vaishnavism"

First of all ... What is Vaishnavism or Vaishnavam.?

Then what do you call the Sankaracharyas and Madhwacharyas?

In fact Ramanujas Propogation... is called as "SRI VAISHNAVAM"...

Because the other Two (Sankaracharyas and Madhwacharyas) too are Vaishnavam only but with a slight difference ...

They give importance only to Narayana and not much importance to His Lakshmi-Devi and Bhoomi-devi.

Whereas this so called Sri-Vaishnavam propogated by Alwars and Ramanuja, it is Duplex-form of Worship as Lakshmi-Narayana ... or Thiru-Narayana... on the principle of Purushakaarathvam (worshipping Vishnu through the Mother Lakshmi).

It can be noted in Temples... Ramanujas disciples worship Lakshmi first and then proceed to Vishnu Sannidhi..

Ramanuja was NOT THE FOUNDER OF the NEW PHILOSOPHY OF VISISHTA- ADHWAITHA ... like many are thinking...

... at par with other Founders of Adhwaitha and Dhwaitha.

Sri-Vaishnavam of Aalwars already existed, even before Ramanuja, Sankara and Madhwa Acharyas... since propogated by Alwars and earlier Acharyas like Nathamuni.and Aalawandar.

But the name VISISHTA-ADHWAITHA was carved later by Ramanuja.

The main difference between these three Acharyas is only on the Philosphical aspect... on the Inter-relations between the Creator and Creatures...

... so to say Jeevaathma and Paramaathma.... How they are mutualy related?.. How the Devotee should approach God.?....Each Philosophy is Unique.

While the other Two Acharyas have taken up only two different parts of the Vedic- concepts as relevant to their respective Theories... and left out the rest untouched...

Ramanujas Philosophy is Total on the whole of Vedic- concepts, thus greatly varying with the other two.

[NeroASERCH]

Well said, Sudhamaa!

And just to add to what Sudhamaa has already explained, Ramanuja's philosophy took into consideration all the normal human desires, aspirations and capabilities. In fact the whole premise of worshipping the Lord through Sri or Thaayar (Mother) itself captures this aspect.

[TorryJens]

Ramanujar is supposed to be avatar of Adi Seshan?

[MannoFr]

He is the greatest Spiritual person and the outstanding Philosopher the world has ever seen.

Ok, I will just take your word for it, for the time being! -- But the greater part of the world have not seen him.. What do you say?

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

Ramanujar is supposed to be avatar of Adi Seshan?

Yes... Ramanujacharya was the RE-INCARNATION of Adhi-Sesha... which fact came to light not only by such a statement by the then Gjanis lived along with him... but also proved THRICE during his Lifetime.events.

[PhillipHer]

Yes... Ramanujacharya was the RE-INCARNATION of Adhi-Sesha... which fact came to light not only by such a statement by the then Gjanis lived along with him... but also proved THRICE during his Lifetime.events.

Dear Mr Sudhaama,
why you are contradicting yourselfs? Some times you are saying that veda's lead to single universal God but many times you are attaching so many parivaars to god and Devas. Do you believe literal meaning of Adi seshan, Parkadal and reincarnation of Adiseshan too? Why you can't you please discuss history as just history? Why can't we look Ramanujar as simple human being with the wholehearted motive to express the truth he knows to all human irrespective of birth?

[radikal]

Originally Posted by Sudhaama Yes... Ramanujacharya was the RE-INCARNATION of Adhi-Sesha... which fact came to light not only by such a statement by the then Gjanis lived along with him... but also proved THRICE during his Lifetime.events.

Dear Mr Sudhaama,

why you are contradicting yourselfs? Some times you are saying that veda's lead to single universal God but many times you are attaching so many parivaars to god and Devas. Do you believe literal meaning of Adi seshan, Parkadal and reincarnation of Adiseshan too? Why you can't you please discuss history as just history? Why can't we look Ramanujar as simple human being with the wholehearted motive to express the truth he knows to all human irrespective of birth? Dear Mr r_kk,

It is your opinion... You cannot dictate terms on how the other man should write or approach the matter.... Please note the Thread- Topic Heading......

RAMANUJACHARYA, THE GREAT PHILOSOPHER AND SOCIAL REFORMER.

which invites the Hubbers to think in lines of how that Acharya was Great, his Philosophy, Social- Reform and Biography... indirectly coupled with Tamilian and Indian Culture as well...

... rather a multi-faceted deal in different aspects concerned... as any Hubber want to think, raise question as well as put forth his individual thoughts true to the spirit of any Forum.

This Forum is not meant just to PLEASE or Cater to the individual taste of Mr. r_kk... but to all the Hubbers.

You are welcome to put forth whatever you feel like saying on this Subject... Yes... you have every freedom as much as I or any other Hubber possess... and not beyond, towards ENCROACHING or hitting at others intentionally

. just to hurt and DISCOURAGE OTHERS and for your gaining negative pleasure out of it..

... as also show... how wiser and smarter you are than all others.

Well I accept you as a Very Very Wise person. Is it enough?

Please don't try to change others as your REPLICA... If you have a very poor opinion about me...Well... Please call me a Fool and leave me.

For God's sake please Stop with it... It is clear you are not interested in this subject and then why break your head and others too unnecessarily and PERSISTENTLY?

With Best Wishes,
Sudhaama.

[radikal]

Ok, Mr. Sudhamma,
I have no problem in leaving this thread. Please go ahead as you wish. I have lot of interest to hear the Indian history without mythification. Thats all I wanted. I don't have any other motives, which you assume. You have the full right to write for your specific readers. Go ahead.... But please aware that future generations may like to hear more of real past as history and heritage than superstitious stories.

[tgs]

Idiappam: Kindly understand that your post borders on hurting sentiments of many Hubbers who truly believe what you have denounced as "rubbish".

If you do not subscribe to any of the views expressed in this thread, you are free to not visit this thread. However, hurling irresponsible remarks such as "waste of space", "mad" and "rubbish" is not in order.

I hope you will let other points of view exist, and not solely yours alone.

I request you to kindly revisit your post and edit the offending words.

[Big A]

Sudhaama Sir
Can you please tell me about the three incidents which prove Ramanujar to be Adi Seshan avathar? I'm very interested.

[MannoFr]

Sudhamaji or Viggop

Can you please give a brief history about the life of Ramanujacharya . Like where/when he was born. What was his family? What made him a social reformer.

There are a lot of people like me here who would like to know about the human behind these great names and then their phylosophies start to make sense.

[Ifroham4]

Sudhamaji or Viggop

Can you please give a brief history about the life of Ramanujacharya . Like where/when he was born. What was his family? What made him a social reformer.

There are a lot of people like me here who would like to know about the human behind these great names and then their phylosophies start to make sense.

Glad .. Welcome.. To make it more interesting... even for any Commonman... let us proceed in the following approach.

... Salient Features of Ramanuja's Life.:

(1) Ramanuja was born at a Village SRI-PERUMPUDHOOR.. near Chennai.. as Adwaithi.. so called Smartha,,, Sankaracharya's disciple... Parents KESAVA SOMAYAJI and mother KANTHIMATHI... were childless until their intensive prayer to Parthasarathy deity at Thiruvallikkeni was gracefully answered... by the birth of Ramanuja..

(2) His first Guru was an Adhwaithi... YAADHAVA-PRAKASA... with whom Ramanuja resided at home for Gurukula Vaasam... .. at THIRUPPUTKUZHI village ...near Kanchipuram.... and learnt Vedas initial lessons..

(3) Guru Yaadhava-Prakasa in the course of teaching to a batch of students along with Ramanuja... interpreted the meaning of one Sanskrit word...KAPYAASAM ... that God's Eyes are similar to the Red-buttocks of Monkey. Ramanuja shed tears on hearing this cheap Simile. to a Diviinity.. When questioned, Ramanuja put forth the alternate meaning which alone can be applicable in this context... he said

" God's Eyes are similar to the Lotus-flower"..

.. on hearing which the Guru became furious that he was an Adhikaprasangi (Impertinent-goose).. who oversteps beyond the bounds of a student who has to just accept whatever the Guru teaches..

Ramanuja prayed the Guru for clarification on his preaching... which the Guru could not.. Whereas Ramanuja further elaborated on his perception of alternate meaning of the same word. This fact could not be denied by the Guru..

Thus the Teacher felt insulted before other students.. who may spread a bad image on the Scholar-Teacher... while Ramanuja may excel him as a better Scholarly Competitor- Teacher.. in the near future.

So he decided to kill the student Ramanuja, by drowning in the River Ganga... so that the Guru need not become a sinner by killing, while his purpose also can be served...

.. a Crooked sense of justification .for a malefic autocracy.

.. To Continue...

[S.T.D.]

Sudhaamaji
I thought the reference to monkey's back was made by Adi Sankara and ramanuja's guru just repeated it?

[Fegasderty]

Sudhaamaji
I thought the reference to monkey's back was made by Adi Sankara and Ramanuja's guru just repeated it?

Yes... Some of the unbiased Philosophical Scholars say so.

[Slonopotam845]

Originally Posted by viggop Sudhaamaji
I thought the reference to monkey's back was made by Adi Sankara and Ramanuja's guru just repeated it?

Yes... Some of the unbiased Philosophical Scholars say so. Interesting wonder how Adi Sankara got away with that.

Does this reflect any difference in their view on God? Adi Sankara showing gods presents in everything good or bad where as young (i assume the thinker in ramanuja is still blosoming at that stage) sees God only in Goods of the world.

[HedgeYourBets]

Originally Posted by Sudhaama Originally Posted by viggop Sudhaamaji
I thought the reference to monkey's back was made by Adi Sankara and Ramanuja's guru just repeated it?

Yes... Some of the unbiased Philosophical Scholars say so. Interesting wonder how Adi Sankara got away with that.

Does this reflect any difference in their view on God? Adi Sankara showing gods presents in everything good or bad where as young (i assume the thinker in ramanuja is still blosoming at that stage) sees God only in Goods of the world. No. We should not take it in the angle of Good and Bad. Such an outlook has nothing to do here..

In fact... personally speaking, I do not believe that the Great Adhi Sankaracharya a Divine Awathara would have personally meant such a sickly sense..... Cannot be.

He was such an Invincible Scholar that many of the Controversies, Intricacies and Disputes on multiple Philosophies of the day he could unravel remarkably and solve amicably in a commonly convincing manner..

.. even independantly challenging and vehemently countering the various highly authoritative scholars of other Faiths and Sub- Religious Sects as well as Innumerable varieties of Beliefs ...in those days...

Thus corrected and put an end to several MUCH CONFUSIVE Theories and Philosophies... for a Commonman .of any time.

In his several other texts invariably, Sankaracharya has interpreted the word PANKAJA-LOCHANA another similar word on Vishnu... conveying its CORRECT AND PROPER meaning as Lotus-Eyed Narayana... in the true sense..

And Nowhere he has meant Lord Narayana's Eyes as MARKATAKA- PRISHTA- LOCHANA....(which means Monkey's-buttocks-eyed.)... as ridiculously described the word KAPYAASAM (KAPI + AASAM, Kapi = Monkey; Aasam + Buttocks)

His nuancic interpretations in Sahasranama- Bhashyam, Sankara- Bhashyam, Geetha- Bhashyam and the like,

... picturises his high intellectual GRANDEUR, which cannot stoop down so low to compare the divine Eyes with a dirty Simile... INCREDIBLE.! .

I take it... as the personal view and misinterpretation on his own by the Ramanuja's Guru, Yadhava-Prakasa, although an Adhwaithi disciple of Sankaracharya.

Further I do not relish to elaborate on this Cheap comparason with the Divinity... whoever may be the author concerned.

But I am prepared to describe on the other sense by Ramanuja... a healthy comparison ... if anybody asks for.

[Lt_Apple]

Sudhaama Sir

Can you please tell me about the three incidents which prove Ramanujar to be Adi Seshan avathar? I'm very interested.

[9mm_fan]

Read some where that Ramanujar was against casteism, is that true ? if so what all did he do against it ?

Yes... Ramanuja was .. Not only by Religious Renaissance he was a HUMANE- EMANCIPATOR,

...but also he was a Great Social-Reformer too... in those days of high Sentimental, Sectarian, Self-centered, Narrow-minded Society.. in general

... by insisting on SOCIAL-EQUANIMITY irrespective of Castes and Religion..

It was Ramanuja.. who introduced the system of pulling "THAER"...for the Deities by one all the members of the Society...

.. without any PREFERENCE OR DISCRIMINATION... but only on one Common- basis... as DEVOTEES.... and Nothing else or beyond.

Yes... Not only by his Propagation but also by Gestures...He advanced INCREDIBLY too far to institute a THULUKKA- NAACHIYAAR SANNIDHI

... within the precincts of Ranganatha Temple at Srirangam...

.. making a Muslim-princess as the Deity.!.. for worship and Pooja... which continues even now.

Urangaa-Villi-Dhaasan, his disciple of a so called Untouchable caste... was his prime accompanist... on whose shoulders Ramanuja used to rest his hand while walking. behind that Thaazhththappattavar.

Maaranaer-Nambi was another such Untouchable... whom he rendered Personal physical service by Medical- treatment of applying Oitments Thailam etc. with that Guru's own hands... on the body of his Disciple.

... by visiting his Hut... within a Harijan- Cheri.... while that Devotee Bed-patient affected with Cancer was miserably FORSAKEN by all others including his own family members..

Thus Ramanuja ensured a clear-cut depiction of LARGE-HEARTEDNESS as the Rudimentary base of self-imposed Code of Practice..... while dealing with any aspect in Life,...

... Be it ones own varying Religious Faith, or Sect or Caste or Occupation or any such other cases.

UNIVERSAL-LOVE coupled with Human-Unity in Diversity ... was his Highlight Message ...

... as well as the ULTIMATE PROPOGATION to the Global Society.

On which I will elaborate soon, with the support of true events.

[Lillie_Steins]

Hi sudhaama, that was marvellous for a person during those ages to do that. Please continue...