Context
Recently, the Union home minister, virtually unveiled a 4-feet-tall ‘Statue of Peace’ of Swamy Ramanujacharya in Srinagar, located in a temple in the Sonwar region
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Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the saint’s 216-feet statue (Statue of Equality) in Hyderabad in February this year.
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About the Ramanuja
- Saint Ramanujacharya, also known as Ramanuja, is considered to be a great thinker, philosopher and social reformer.
- Swami Ramanujacharya was born in Tamil Nadu in Vikram Samvat 1017 AD.
- He was the child of Keshavacharya and Mata Kantimani.
- He preached Vishista Advaitavada (qualified monism).
- His philosophical foundations for devotionalism were influential to the Bhakti movement.
- Ramanuja is known to have revolted against the discrimination of untouchability and played a role in bringing a big change in society.
- Sri Ramanuja named subjugated classes as “Thirukkulathar– Born Divine”.
- He is believed to be the first Hindu acharya to initiate women into ‘sanyasa’ (renunciation of the world).
- After Ramanuja’s demise, the female community of ‘sanyasinis’ faded away.
- He is a follower of Vaishnavism and taught people the principles of salvation.
- He wrote many books, including Sri Bhashya, Vedartha Sangraha and Bhagavad Gita Bhasya,based on his belief that is different from the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya.
- He was an inspiration for mystic poets like Kabir, Meerabai, Annamacharya, Bhaktha Ramdas, Thyagaraja and many others.
The Navrathnas
Sri Ramanujacharya wrote 9 scriptures, the Navrathnas.
- Vedartha-Sangraha – A treatise presenting the tenets of Visishtadvaita, a reconciliation of different conflicting srutis.
- Sri Bhashya – A detailed commentary on the Vedanta Sutras. Sri Bhashyam is Sri Ramanuja’s magnum opus, which is the greatest commentary on Bramha Sutras. This monumental contribution was part of the 3 wishes Sri Ramanujacharya fulfilled for His revered master and Guru Sri Yamunacharya, who breathed His last even before meeting Sri Ramanuja in person.
- Gita-Bhasya – A detailed commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita.
- Vedanta-Dipa – A brief commentary on the Vedanta Sutras.
- Vedanta-Sara – Another brief commentary on the Vedanta Sutras meant for beginners.
- Saranagati-Gadya – A prayer of complete surrender to the lotus feet of Lord Srimannarayana.
- Sriranga-Gadya – Manuals of self surrender to Lord Vishnu.
- Shri Vaikuntha-Gadya – Describes Shri Vaikuntha-loka and the position of the liberated souls.
- Nitya-Grantha – A short manual intended to guide the devotees about day to day worship and activities.
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