The period was around 1504 AD. Raja Krishna Dev Raya of Vidya Nagar (Vijaya Nagar) had invited the greatest exponents of his time to deliberate on Hindu scriptures and the related six systems of philospohy. Acharya Hanumant was representing Vishithadvaita of Ramanuja; Acharya Vyastirtha was seated to represent Dvaita of Madhva, of Nimbarka sect was present Keshavabhatta, and Sri Vidyatirtha was to represent Mayavada of Shankara. The fifth seat of Vaishnava sect was vacant, and hence the 25 year-old bright Vallabha was invited to put forward his views.

The Guru refused to initiate the learned disciple six times, but the disciple was not discouraged and came back for the seventh time! The gracious Guru, seeing the sincerity and earnest of Ramanuja, now gave him the Mantra, warning - "Do not disclose the Mantra to anyone, else you shall suffer the agonies of Hell. And what will happen to those who hear the Mantra, Sir," asked Ramanuja innocently.