Ramanujacharya - Guru of Equality & Bhakti

Today, 2nd May 2025, is the 1008th birth anniversary of Sri Ramanujacharya, one of the greatest saints gurus born in this great land of India.

What makes the late Karunanidhi the atheist and rationalist ex-CM of Tamil Nadu, who does not believe in God, write lyrics for a Tamil TV series on the saint Bhagavad Ramanujacharya?

Why does PM Modi open a 216 feet statue for Ramanujacharya in Hyderabad?

Why is a Muslim princess from Delhi Sultanate who was a devotee of Lord Narayana worshipped inside the holiest and biggest functioning Hindu temple of Sri Rangam in Tamil Nadu (Bibi Nachiyar)? 

When were Dalits first admitted inside the sanctum of major Hindu temples?

Today is the 1008th birth anniversary of Sri Ramanujacharya, one of the greatest saints gurus born in this great land of India. He's considered one of the three most influential Vedantic philosophers of the last two millennium, along with Madhvāchārya and Ādi Shankara. He was born in Sriperambudur (Near Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) in the year 1017 and lived for 120 years.

216 feet tall statue of equality in Hyderabad 

There are many great biographies about him. So i will focus on what were some of the things he did, which led a lasting impact on Indian philosophy and thought.

. Vishishtadvaita Philosophy:

Ramanujacharya's major contribution is the development and articulation of Vishishtadvaita, a philosophical school that posits a qualified non-dualism between the individual soul and the Supreme Being (Vishnu). This philosophy emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of devotion to the divine. 

. Literary Works: He composed numerous commentaries on key Vedic texts like the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita, laying a philosophical framework for devotional worship. These works continue to be studied and revered by scholars and devotees across India.

. Equality before God:  He was a great Social reformer, who believed in equality of all human beings before God.He promoted the inclusion of all castes in temples and advocating for community meals (Prasadam) to foster unity. He challenged existing social structures and championed the rights of the marginalized. Though he is from a Tamil Brahmin family, he chose a guru who was of lower caste and had several disciples who were from the lowest castes in society. He opened all major temples in Tamilnadu and Karnataka to people of all castes 1000 years back much before Ambedkar or Periyar. Proving in the service or devotion of God all are equal. 1000 years later, sadly caste system still prevails in some parts of India. His teachings and life are more relevant today.

. Local language worship: He composed several poems in Sanskrit. But he was also attached to his mother tongue Tamil. He played a huge part in codifiying the works of all the 12 Alwars (poet saints) of previous centuries under the name "Nalayira Divya Prapandam" also called Dravida or Tamil Vedam (Vedas in Tamil. He ensured in all Vaishnavite temples of Tamil Nadu, even in Garba Graha (karuvarai in Tamil) the holy chants are in Tamil. Tamil was given an equal status to Sanskrit in many temples of South India. Till date if you go to Lord Balaji temple in Tirupati (Andhra) or Melkote (Karnataka) or Trivandrum (Kerala) you will hear the Tamil verses from Divya Prapandam. 

. Bhakti movement: He was the pioneer of bhakti movement. It was a significant religious and social reform movement in India, primarily within Hinduism, that emphasized personal devotion to a single God over ritualistic practices and caste distinctions. It sought to break down social hierarchies and make spirituality accessible to all, regardless of caste or social status. Using music, chanting, dance and drama to promote devotion to God. Arayar Sevai is a Tamil Hindu performing art form that involves the ritual singing and enacting of the Divine hymns of the Divya Prabandham, performed in many temples even today. His teachings served as a foundational influence for many later Bhakti saints, Chaitanya Prabhu in Bengal, Meerabai in Rajasthan, Guru Nanak in Punjab, Kabirdas etc.contributing to the widespread acceptance and growth of the Bhakti movement across India 

. Temple Administration: Ramanujacharya played a crucial role in reforming temple practices, promoting a more inclusive and accessible system of worship. He codified the procedures of worship in almost all major south Indian temples. He was a brilliant administrator. He made temples self sustaining ecosystems. He created water bodies (like lakes and tanks), organized agricultural lands, worship procedures by daily, weekly, monthly, yearly rituals which are still followed by many big temples Srirangam and 100+ Divya desams of Tamilnadu, Lord Balaji temple in Tirupati (Andhra) or Melkote Cheluva Narayanan (Karnataka) or Trivandrum Padmanabhaswamy temple (Kerala) etc.

. Spiritually united India. Just like Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya journeyed to various sacred places in north india, including Kashi, Kashmir, and Badrinath, apart from almost all major places of South india from Kanchipuram Srirangam Ahobilam Tirupathi Mysore Melkote etc. These travels were for establishing 74 centers to disseminate his teachings and influencing generations of poet saints. 

. Installed a temple for Muslim princess.

He also met the Delhi Sultan, for the retrieval of a deity (utsava-murti of Azhagia Manavalan) that had been plundered from Sri Rangam temple by his generals. The sultan, impressed by Ramanujacharya, showed him his treasury of looted statues, but the specific deity Ramanujacharya sought was not among them. According to the story, when Ramanujacharya called out for the Lord, the deity miraculously appeared from the princess's room and came to him. The princess was quite attached to the deity statue. Ramanujacharya brought idol back to Sri Rangam, and the princess, who was deeply attached to the deity, came to Sri Rangam as well. Despite being a Muslim, the princess's devotion was recognized, and she was allowed to enter the temple by Ramanujacharya. After her death, she was recognized as "Bibi Nachiyar" and a deity of her was installed in the temple. Till date, north Indian food like Roti and Dal is served in this shrine for her first, then only offered to Rangan.  

Ramanujacharya, is also known by several other names, like Ethirajar, Ilayazhwar, Udayavar, Emperumanar, Tiruppavai Jeeyar and Sri Bashyakarar. He is considered to be incarnation of Adisesha for Maha Vishnu, or Lakshmana or Rama's younger brother (Rama-Anuja)

I will end this article with the Tamil phrase, உய்ய ஒரே வழி உடையவர் திருவடி

"Uyya ore vazhi Udayavar thiruvadi" translates to "The only way to succeed is by grasping the feet of Udayavar", signifying that the path to spiritual liberation lies in devotion to your Guru.

Gurbhyo Namaha. 

Nash Narasimhan Tupil