Ramanuja

Ramanujacharya

Shri Ramanujar pics 2

Ramanuja embracing Lord Varadaraj

Statue of Equality (Ramanuja)

Srirangamlong view

Sri Ramanuja Shrine at The Ranganathasamy Temple in Srirangam

Ramanuja (1017–1137 CE) was a Hindu theologian, philosopher, and one of the most important exponents of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism. His philosophical foundations for devotionalism were influential to the Bhakti movement.

Life

Ramanuja was born in the village of Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, India. His early life was marked by a deep interest in the Vedas and Hindu scriptures. Ramanuja became a disciple of Yadava Prakasa, a scholar of the Advaita Vedanta school. However, due to philosophical disagreements, Ramanuja left his guru and became a proponent of the Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) school of thought.

Philosophy

Ramanuja's philosophy of Vishishtadvaita challenged the Advaita Vedanta school's notion of absolute non-dualism, proposing instead that the soul (jivatma) and the universe (prakriti) are distinct but inseparable parts of the divine (Brahman), which he identified with Vishnu. Ramanuja argued that Brahman is a personal God, full of infinite qualities and attributes, and that the ultimate goal of life is to attain union with this divine through love and devotion (Bhakti).

Key Works

Ramanuja's most influential works include the Sri Bhashya, a commentary on the Vedanta Sutras, and the Vedartha Sangraha, which outlines his philosophical views. His writings and teachings helped lay the foundation for various practices within Sri Vaishnavism, emphasizing temple worship, rituals, and the importance of community in religious life.

Impact and Legacy

Ramanuja's teachings had a profound impact on the development of Hindu thought and practice. His emphasis on devotion and personal god made his philosophy accessible to a wider audience, contributing significantly to the spread of the Bhakti movement in India. Ramanuja's legacy is evident in the continued vitality of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition, with millions of followers and numerous temples dedicated to Vishnu across India.

Ramanuja's approach to Vedanta and his teachings on the nature of the soul, divine grace, and salvation have continued to influence various religious and philosophical discussions within Hinduism. His work has been a subject of study and respect among scholars of different Hindu traditions and other religions.

See Also

• Vedanta
• Bhakti movement
• Hindu philosophy
• Indian philosophy