Ramanujacarya (4)

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April 7th, 2003, Monday (Pancami)

Appearance day of Sri Ramanujacarya

 

 

YAMUNACARYA'S ILLNESS

 

Ever since the day he had seen Ramanuja in Kancipuram, the aged

Yamunacarya had been thinking of him and praying to Lord Visnu for his

deliverance. He longed for the day on which Ramanuja would give up the

association of Yadavaprakasa and take full shelter of the Vaisnavas. It was

with this hope in mind that he composed his wonderful prayer known as the

Stotra-ratna, which is adored by devotees even to this day.

 

A few days after the composition of the Stotra-ratna, Yamunacarya

fell gravely ill and was unable to rise from his bed. However, even in this

precarious position, hovering between life and death, he continued to preach

the glories of the Lord. Fearing the imminent departure of their guru,

various disciples put questions before him. Tiruvaranga asked, "If Lord

Narayana is beyond mind and speech, how is it possible to serve Him?"

 

Yamunacarya replied, "The best way to serve Lord Narayana is to

serve His pure devotees. In addition you should serve the Deity form of the

Lord, even as the blessed Kancipurna serves Lord Varadaraja. All problems

are resolved by the statement of the Mahabharata, mahajano yena gatah sa

panthah -'Just follow the example set by the great devotees'." Looking into

the eyes of his dear disciple, Alabandara continued, "For myself, my only

refuge now is the lotus feet of Tirumangai, that noble mahatma who served

Lord Ranganatha so perfectly in ancient times."

 

On hearing these words from his guru, Tiruvaranga's eyes filled with

tears and he spoke again in a voice choked with grief, "Have you decided

without doubt to leave this world now?"

 

Alabandara smiled slightly and replied softly, "How is it that such

a wise man as yourself is to be seen lamenting for that which is inevitable?

Do you not yet understand that everything happens only by the will of Lord

Narayana. Our position is to simply accept whatever mercy He bestows upon

us, giving up the dualities of happiness and distress."

 

At that moment two other disciples decided they would commit suicide

as soon as Yamunacarya left this world. These two were Mahapurna and

Tirukkotiyurpurna.

 

Another disciple came forward shedding tears and crying out, "Where

will any of us go for shelter after your disappearance? Whose sweet words

will inspire us to acts of greater devotion?"

 

Yamunacarya placed his hand on the disciple's head, saying, "My

child, there is no need for anxiety, for Lord Ranganatha is there. He has

given you shelter in the past, He is giving you shelter now and will

continue to protect you in the future. Always go and pray before Lord

Ranganatha and sometimes go to see Venkatesa at Tirupati and Varadaraja at

Kanci. In this way how will you be without shelter?"

 

When Tiruvaranga asked whether the body should be buried or

cremated, Alabandara gave no reply, for his mind was fixed on the lotus feet

of Lord Narayana.

 

 

LORD RANGANATHA SAVES HIS DEVOTEES

 

The next day there was a special procession in Rangaksetra, and the

Deity of Lord Ranganatha was carried from the temple on a palanquin. Huge

crowds of people had gathered from all the surrounding villages to see the

Lord as He passed along the road. The disciples of Yamunacarya were also in

attendance. Suddenly one of the pujaris serving the Lord seemed to go into a

trance, as if possessed. He spoke out, clearly addressing Mahapurna and

Tirukkotiyurpurna, "Give up your resolution to commit suicide. It is not

approved by Me."

 

After this wonderful event, all the disciples quickly returned to

the bedside of Yamunacarya to tell him what had happened. He then gave them

further instructions. "To commit suicide is a great sin, and to save you

from such an act Lord Ranganatha Himself has spoken to you. Such is His

boundless mercy." Alabandara then fell silent, and his eyes closed as he

seemed to go deep into meditation. After a while he spoke again. "This is my

final instruction to all of you. Offer flowers at the lotus feet of the Lord

and always try to follow your gurus order. Destroy all false ego by serving

the Vaisnavas". Then he gave all his disciples over to the care of

Tiruvaranga and fell silent once more.

 

 

MAHAPURNA IS SENT TO KANCI

 

However, Yamunacarya did not depart from the world at this time, and

a few days later, to everyone's surprise, he seemed to recover from his

illness. He left his asrama and took darsana of Lord Ranganatha, just as he

had done previously. Everyone was inspired to hear him talk again about the

glories of Lord Visnu.

 

One day two brahmanas from Kancipuram arrived to see Yamunacarya,

having heard of his imminent departure from the world. They were surprised

to find the great acarya sitting up and discussing the scriptures,

apparently fully recovered from his sickness. When Yamunacarya learned the

two brahmanas were from Kancipuram, he immediately inquired from them about

the welfare of Ramanuja. They told him he had now given up hearing from

Yadavaprakasa and was studying the scriptures alone. Yamunacarya was very

pleased to hear that the young devotee was now freed from the dangers of

hearing mayavada philosophy, and there and then he composed eight verses

glorifying the mercy of the Lord upon His devotees.

 

He then instructed Mahapurna, one of his senior disciples, "Please

go to Kanci and bring Ramanuja here, for I long to see him in the midst of

our company of Vaisnavas." Mahapurna offered obeisances at the feet of his

guru, and that same day he departed to carry out his order.

 

 

DISAPPEARANCE OF YAMUNACARYA

 

A few days after the departure of Mahapurna, Alabandara's body was

afflicted with sickness once more. Despite the intence pain he had to

undergo, he still took his bath and went to the temple to see Lord

Ranganatha, the Lord of his heart. He took a little maha-prasada and then

returned to the asrama, where he called for all of his householder disciples

to come to him.

 

First of all, in a mood of great humility, he begged them to forgive

any offense that he might have made towards them. He then asked them to take

care of the brahmacari and sannyasi disciples who were living at the asrama.

Finally, Yamunacarya gave his last instruction to his householder disciples.

"Every day you should rise early and go to the temple to worship Lord

Ranganatha, smelling the flowers that have been offered to His lotus feet.

In this way your mind and intelligence will become purified, and you will

become fixed in your devotion to Lord Narayana. In addition you should

always be devoted to your spiritual master and be attentive in serving

guests."

 

When the householder disciples had left, Alabandara sat in a lotus

position and concentrated his mind on the feet of Lord Hari. The remaining

disciples began to chant the holy name of Lord Narayana in congregation,

accompanied by the sweet sounds of the flute and other instruments. As

Yamunacarya became even more deeply immersed in thoughts of the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, tears of ecstasy ran down his cheeks and his body

began to tremble. In this ecstatic state of devotional love the great acarya

gave up his body and returned to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, his

eternal, beloved master.

 

Immediately the kirtana stopped, and many of the disciples began to

cry aloud in lamentation, while others fainted and fell unconscious to the

ground. After some time the sannyasis and Yamunacarya's son, Purna,

collected themselves and began to make preparations for the funeral

ceremony. The body was washed and dressed in new clothes before being placed

on a decorated palanquin. Then, in slow procession, they carried the

palanquin down to the banks of the Kaveri River, followed by almost all the

inhabitants of Sri Rangam. There, amidst great lamentation, the body of the

pure devotee was buried, as is the custom for those who have achieved the

perfectional stage of devotional service.

 

 

MEETING WITH MAHAPURNA

 

Meanwhile, on the order of his guru, Mahapurna journeyed to

Kancipuram and arrived there after travelling steadily for four days. He

immediately went to the temple to see Lord Varadaraja, and as he was leaving

he happened to meet Kancipurna, who invited him to spend the night at his

asrama. The two devotees passed the evening in discussing topics about the

Lord.

 

Early the next morning they set out together for the holy well and,

as they approached, saw Ramanuja coming with a water jug on his shoulder to

perform his daily service for Lord Varadaraja. Kancipurrna said, "I must

leave you now to worship the Lord in the temple. Here is Ramanuja; go and

tell him of your intentions."

 

Mahapurna was very happy to see the effulgent young devotee coming

towards him, appearing so pure and free from the vices of this world.

Instinctively he began to chant prayers from Yamunacarya's Stotra-ratna.

Hearing these beautiful hymns in praise of Lord Narayana being sung in such

a sweet voice, Ramanuja stood silently, listening intently to the verses.

Then he approached Mahapurna and inquired, "Sir, who has composed these

wonderful verses, that so sweetly praise the qualities of the Supreme Lord?

Just by yor singing this morning my heart has been uplifted."

 

"These hymns were composed by my spiritual master, the venerable

Yamunacarya," Mahapurna replied.

 

Ramanuja was very pleased to hear the name of the famous devotee,

but he inquired in a concerned voice, "I had heard that the great Alabandara

was afflicted by illness. Is he now recovered? How long is it since you were

in his presence?"

 

"It is but five days since I left the side of my guru-maharaja,"

replied Mahapurna, "and at that time he had just recovered from his

sickness."

 

Ramanuja was relieved to hear this news, and, being anxious to

associate further with the saintly Mahapurna, he invited him to stay at his

house. Then Mahapurna explained the purpose of his coming to Kancipuram. "I

have come to this holy city at the request of the great soul Yamunacarya,

simply to meet with you and invite you, on his behalf, to come to

Rangaksetra, so that we may have your association."

 

Ramanuja could hardly believe such an exalted devotee was even aware

of his existence, let alone being desirous of his association. However,

Mahapurna reassured him by saying, "My master wishes to see you, and it is

for this purpose alone that I have come here. His health has been much

impaired by repeated illness, and, although he now seems a little better, I

think that we should start immediately if you wish to fulfill his desire."

 

Ramanuja was so pleased by this unexpected news that he could only

ascribe his good fortune to the mercy of Lord Varadaraja. Excitedly he said

to Mahapurna, "Please wait here for a short while until I have delivered

this water to the temple and taken the Lord's permission to leave."

 

Saying this he hurried off towards the temple. Just a short time

later he returned, all ready to start on the journey. Mahapurna asked, "What

about your family? Should you not first inform them of your intentions?"

 

"Obedience to the order of the guru is more important than any

considerations of household life," replied Ramanuja. "Let us depart at once,

for I am eager to see Sri Yamunacarya."

 

 

ARRIVAL IN SRI RANGAM

 

Thus, they set out on their journey southwards towards the holy city

of Sri Rangam. Each evening they would stop for the night at the home of

some pious brahmana devotee, and during the day they would travel with all

possible haste. In this way they arrived at the banks of the Kaveri River in

four days and immediately crossed over to Sri Rangam. They had intended to

go straight away to the asrama of Yamunacarya, which was close to the temple

of Lord Ranganatha, but they found the road blocked by a large crowd of

people. When Mahapurna asked the reason for this great assembly, one man

replied, "Sir, what can I say? The earth is now bereft of its most beautiful

gem, for Mahatma Alabandara has returned to the abode of the Lord."

 

When he heard these words, Ramanuja immediately fainted and fell to

the ground unconscious, while Mahapurna cried aloud in anguish, beating his

forehead with the palms of his hands. After some time, Mahapurna composed

himself, and, seeing Ramanuja still lying unconscious on the ground, he

fetched some water and sprinkled it over the young man's face. When Ramanuja

slowly opened his eyes, he heard these words of consolation, "Do not be

overwhelmed by grief, for we can be sure that everything is taking place by

the will of Lord Narayana. Now let us go and see that pure form before it is

interred."

 

 

RAMANUJA'S THREE VOWS

 

Ramanuja followed Mahapurna to the banks of the Kaveri. When they

saw the body of Yamunacarya, Mahapurna fell at his feet, bathing them with

tears, while Ramanuja stood still, looking at the great Vaisnava. Although

the life air had passed from the body, Alabandara's face was still serene

and untouched by the shadow of death. Ramanuja stood there transfixed, just

gazing, as if in a trance, at the face of that great devotee. Suddenly the

crowds fell silent and turned to look at Ramanuja, for it seemed that

somehow he was able to transcend the barrier of death and be fully in the

presence of Sri Yamunacarya.

 

After a while Ramanuja said, "I see that three fingers of

Alabandara's right hand are folded and clenched tight. Were they like that

during his lifetime?"

 

The disciples who were close by replied, "No, his fingers used to

remain straight. We cannot guess why they are like this now."

 

Ramanuja then declared aloud, "Remaining fixed in devotion to Lord

Visnu, I shall free the people from illusion by spreading the glories of the

Lord throughout the land" As these words were spoken, one of the fingers

relaxed and became straight.

 

Ramanuja spoke again, saying, "To establish that there is no truth

beyond Lord Visnu, I shall write the Sri-bhasya commentary on the

Vedanta-sutra." At this the second of Yamunacarya's fingers became straight.

 

Ramanuja declared again, "In order to show respect to the sage

Parasara, who has so wonderfully described the glories of the Lord in the

Visnu Purana, I shall name one learned Vaisnava after him." With this final

statement, the last of Alabandara's fingers relaxed and became straight.

 

When they saw this wonderful occurrence, everyone there was filled

with amazement. They could now understand that Yamunacarya's three tightly

held fingers represented his three unfulfilled desires, namely, to preach

the glories of the Lord all over India, to compile a complete Vaisnava

commentary on the Vedanta-sutra, which would nullify the atheistic doctrines

of the impersonalists, and to honor the sage Parasara by naming a disciple

after him. Now, Ramanuja's statements confirmed that he would complete the

work Alabandara had begun.

 

 

RETURN TO KANCI

 

Before the body was buried in the samadhi tomb on the banks of the

Kaveri, Ramanuja had left Sri Rangam to return to Kancipuram. Yamunacarya's

disciples had asked him to take darsan of Lord Ranganatha, but he had

refused, saying, "I do not wish to see this cruel form of the Lord, who

would not grant my most cherished desire and who has taken away the lord of

my heart." Then, he had departed without speaking another word to anyone.

 

From that day on Ramanuja's personality changed and he became much

more grave and serious. He was now even more reluctant to spend time in the

company of nondevotees. For long periods he would remain alone, studying

the scriptures, and he found true happiness only in the company of

Kancipurna.