GITA 12.12

GITA 12.12

Swami Ramanuja occupies a very important place in the Srivaishnava Guru parampara [heirarchy of Acharyas]. Called Jagadacharya, the Swami Ramanuja's sannidhi is just opposite the main entrance.

SWAMI RAMANUJA AVATARA SANNIDHI

 There is a large avatar mandapam. Here, Swami Ramanuja was born some 1000 years back. His year of birth is 1017, corresponding to Tamil year Pingala, Chitthirai, Shukla Panchami, on a Thursday in the star Tiruvadirai [பிங்கள, சித்திரை, சுக்ல பஞ்சமி, வியாழக் கிழமை corresponding to 10th April 1017 at 2.00 P.M.]. His parents were Asoori Kesava Somayajiyar [ஆசூரி கேசவ சொமயாஜியார்] and Kanthimati Ammangar [காந்திமதி அம்மங்கார்]. His parents, before the birth of Swami Ramanuja, visited Sri Parthasarathy Temple in Triplicane, Chennai, and prayed for a child like the Lord. Since there is none like Him, He Himself was born to them as Swami Ramanuja! The Sun drives away the darkness outside us; but the darkness of ignorance in us, can not that easily be eliminated. To eliminate this inside darkness, Swami Ramanuja appeared as Divakara [Sun] and spread Bhakti in Him. We are in that sacred place, where he was born. Inside the temple, we can see many sculptures, as reliefs on walls. We can see Sri Adikesava Perumal prominently among them.

 On one side we can see the sculptures of all Alwars. On another side, we can see the large sculpture of Swami Ramanuja, with a saffron robe and holding Tridanda [த்ரிதண்டம்]. On his sides, we can see Swami Koorattalwan and Swami Mudaliyandan. We can also note the 74 Simhasanadhipatis, who were appointed by Swami Ramanuja to spread the philosophy and perform Pancha Samskara [पंचसंस्कार] to all devotees. All the pillars in the mandapam are sculpted beautifully. We can see the Lord as Sri Matsya, Sri Koorma, Sri Varaha and Sri Narasimha. We can see the sculpture in which Arjuna very submissively listens to Sri Krishna, Who is preaching Gita.

SRI KRISHNA PREACHING ARJUNA

 An ancient picture of Swami Ramanuja can be seen.

ANCIENT PICTURE OF SRI RAMANUJA

 In Ramanuja nootrandadi (இராமானுச நூற்றந்தாதி), Swami Thiruvarangathamudhanar [திருவரங்கத்து அமுதனார்] says in the verse 'man misai yonigal thorum pirandu..மண் மிசை யோனிகள் தோறும் பிறந்து.. ', that Swami Ramanuja alone could correct the people, who could not be corrected by the Lord in spite of many Avatars! Swami Manavala Mamunigal says that one might forget the birthdays of the Avatars of the Lord or even of Alwars, but never one should forget Swami Ramanuja's birthday! Tiruvadirai is known in Sanskrit as Ardra, which also means wet. Swami Ramanuja also exhibited that 'wet' or merciful heart [ஈர நெஞ்சம்] to all. He had the compassion that all should be redeemed.

 It is difficult to say whether Swami Ramanuja lived as preached in Gita or the Lord preached in Gita, Swami Ramanuja's qualities. Sri Krishna lists some more good habits we have to cultivate in us, in sloka 14:

santustah satatam yogi

yatatma drdha-niscayah

mayy arpita-mano-buddhir

yo mad-bhaktah sa me priyah

"Always satisfied, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination, his mind and intelligence fixed on Me—such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me." 

The Lord says His bhakta is very dear to Him. We should aspire for this privilege! If Sri Krishna appears before us and says that we were His dear ones, what else we have to achieve? This is what the Lord says in 'yo mad-bhaktah sa me priyah'. We may like to be the favourite of the Lord; then, we should know what efforts we have to take to be included in that favourite list. But all obstacles are seen in our efforts. This desire can be achieved if we have the determination. We should not misunderstand this as mad [வெறி] but determination [உறுதி]. We will list the desired qualities: (continued from the last list)
8. Santushta = contented [not to be misunderstood as happy]. We have to be satisfied with what the Lord has bestowed on us.
9. satatam =always, yogi = meditating about atman.
10. Yatatma = well-controlled mind. The controlled mind will give satisfaction and satisfaction will control the mind. Thinking about atman, will pacify and control the mind. Once the mind is controlled all thoughts will be after atman. Thus all these three are interrelated.
11. Drda nischaya = determined belief or confidence. We have to firmly believe that it is because of His grace that we have this life and facilities. The Lord is our goal and we have to attain Him only. This firm belief should never be changed in any circumstance.
12. Mayy = in Me [Sri Krishna], arpita = entrusted, mano-buddhi = mind and intellect. That is we have to regard every action of ours as devoted to Him. We have to do every work dedicated to Him. In such actions, both mind and intellect have to be entrusted. The mind is an instrument to think; while buddhi is dharma bhuta gyana. Our intellect is buddhi, and with its help, we use the mind to think. Thus both the mind and the thought propelling intellect, have to be dedicated to the Lord.

Such a Bhakta is the favourite of the Lord or he is liked by the Lord. Swami Ramanuja tells whom the Lord likes. We have to be liked by Him, by practically following the qualities listed in the Seven slokas. To get that liking we have to sincerely do the prescribed duties for us and do them with the attitude that the Lord Himself is doing and dedicate the results to Him. That will make us endearing to the Lord. To cultivate these, we have to be content with what we have and never be greedy; we should never be complaining about our health or wealth, but be happy with what we have. No doubt, there will be scope for improvement in all our activities. These should not be in amassing wealth, but in Bhakti in Him. Normally, rich people never get contentment in life; poor are satisfied with what they have. Swami Ramanuja stands tall to be emulated by us. He wrote many works, so that the true meaning of Vedas and Upanishads are explained to the World. We are at present in his birthplace, Sriperumbudur. Today's [26th December 2008] lecture is from the mandapam at the place where he was born. We enter the temple from the sannidhi street. We can see the gopuram and mandapam. 

                                                                                                     (continued)