Teachings of Sri Ramanuja
According to the generally accepted tradition, Sri Ramanuja lived a very long life of 120 years from A.D. 1017 to 1137. But Carman in his book The Theology of Ramanuja wrote that his life might have been only eighty years, from 1077 to 1157. He was born as the son of a learned Vedic Brahmana named Asuri Kesava Diksita, and his wife Kantimati Kesava. Diksita was given by the Vedic scholars the title of Sarvakratu, meaning the performer of all Vedic yajnas, by way of recognition of his expertise in Vedic rituals. From his early childhood, Ramanuja showed signs of his prodigious intellect. By hearing lessons even once from his teacher, he could master them. “After his full initiation into the esoterism of the Vaisnava cult, Ramanuja had a quick but thorough training in all the aspects of Vaisnavism, under five disciples of the late Yamuna. These five – Kancipurna, Mahapurna, Gostipurna, Madhara, and Vararanga – were like five parts of the late Yamuna-muni, and now through the disciplined learning under these five, Ramajuna became the Yamuna himself.
Teachings of Sri Ramanuja
He was a great philosopher of India. His teachings have great value in the spiritual world. The gist of his teachings can be highlighted in the following manner. He said, “Worship holy men exactly as you would do in the care of your religious preceptor. Have sincere faith in the teaching of great Acaryas of yore. Never be slaves to your senses. Be not satisfied with acquisitions of worldly knowledge. Go on reading repeatedly the books dealing with the greatness of God and the wonders of His creation. If perchance you are favored with scintillating wisdom by the Guru’s grace, then the attraction of the senses will cease for you. Learn to treat all your feelings with indifference. Bear in mind that he who renders service to God’s devotees attains God speedily.” Here if God means ‘good works’, one should sacrifice life for good works for the development of mankind. If God is ‘Truth,’ stick to the truth and do work sincerely any work that comes before you.
He further narrated, “Devote a portion of the day, at least one hour, to the contemplation of the greatness of your spiritual preceptor and some time every day to the reading of the sacred writings of the Alvars of the Acaryas. Always seek the company of those that pursue the path of self-surrender to God and avoid the company of those that say, “There are other paths leading to salvation.” Do not associate with people who are always in quest of filthy lucre and sense-enjoyment, but mingle with the devotees of God to the extent possible.” I appeal to all young minds to follow the teachings of Ramanuja. I am sure you will be happy and peaceful; you will also be a factor of happiness for others around you.
He propagated for surrendering to God in the following words: “He who has truly surrendered himself at the feet of God should not bestow any thought on his future, which is entirely at His disposal, for the least anxiety felt in that connection betrays the hypocrisy in his self-surrender. His present life is entirely determined by his past karma; so it is not proper to grieve over it. Let not the performance of your duties be regarded as a means for achieving worldly ends, but consider it as service rendered to the Supreme Being.” His teachings have an eternal impact on men’s lives. These are very practical and valuable for all people, and particularly the youth, who have a lot of things to give to society. He expressed, “In this life on earth, find out by careful discrimination your friends, enemies, and the indifferent. Holy men are your friends; those who hate God are your enemies; the worldly-minded are the indifferent ones. Let your heart rejoice at the sight of friends as though you have come across fine betel, flowers, and scents. At the sight of your enemies let your heart tremble as though you have faced a snake, a tiger, fire, or so forth. At the sight of the indifferent, do not mind them any more than when coming across stocks and stones. Such should be the conduct of those who have taken refuge in God. Association with friends, the holy men, will confer spiritual illumination on you. Shun the company of enemies, and regarding the indifferent too, do not talk to them, and never show respect to them in consideration of the worldly benefits accruing to you thereby. Such benefits are sure to make you soon an enemy of God. Remembering that All-merciful being is ready to supply you all that you pray for, never beg of the enemies.”
