Prof Madabhushi Sridhar
Among three great teachers for the universe, who recognized paths of realization – a) Advaitha- Mono Theist of Adi Shankaracharya, b) Vishishta Advaita, refined dualistic by Ramanuja, and c) Dwaita, dualistic by Madhvacharya. On 2 May 2025, the birthday of both Adi Shankaracharya and Sri Ramanujacharya. Both are classic Sanskrit, the most influential of whom are Shankara and Ramanuja Jagadgurus, leaders of Bhakti movements and social reformers.
Adi Shankaracharya of the 8th Century had a true impact, “an iconic representation of Hindu religion and culture,” even though most Hindus do not adhere to Advaita Vedanta.
Sankara has over 300 texts attributed to him, including commentaries (Bhāṣya), introductory topical expositions (Prakaraṇa grantha), and poetry (Stotra). However, most of these are likely written by admirers, pretenders, or scholars with an eponymous name. Works known to have been written by Shankara himself are the Brahmasutrabhasya, his commentaries on the ten principal Upanishads, his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, and the Upadeśasāhasrī. The authenticity of Shankara as the author of Vivekacūḍāmaṇi has been questioned and mostly rejected by scholarship.
Sri Ramanujacharya (1017-1137 AD)
A thousand years ago, one person broke the laws of secrecy and revealed sacred mantras from the top of the Gopuram to all, rebelled against caste based hierarchical anarchy and respected non-Brahmin personalities as Gurus and Shishyas, and opened the doors of temples for dalits and tribals. Ayurveda says the complete life of a human is 120 years. Born on 4th April 1017, Ramanuja (1017-1137 AD) had poornayus. He believed in and practiced the principle of sharing knowledge, honoured the right to information/right to knowledge of all equally, by openly explaining the secretly guarded important mantra and its inner meanings to facilitate the liberation of all from mundane bondages.
Maryada Purushottam Ram is the Avtar of Narayana through the lineage of Raghu Vamshi King Dasaratha and Kousalya through divine Putra Kameshthi Yajna. It was considered that Putra Kameshthi was performed by Keshavacharya and Kantimati in Sri Perumbudur, near Chennai in 1016, for a son and obtained Lakshmana, the brother (Anuj) of Rama. Considered an incarnation of Adi Shesha, who can answer many with his thousands of heads at a time, Ramanuja was also considered to have symbolic qualities of Sudarshana (Disc), Shankh (conch), Gadha (mace), Sharnga (Bow), and Khadga (sword) to win the wars in intellectual debates.
Ramanuja grew as a Vaishnava and became the pioneer of Vishishtadvaita philosophy, qualified non-dualism, now known as the Ramanuja School. Sri Rangam, Kanchi, Tirumala and Melkote were his focused working places through which his preaching, practices, and conventions are being observed even today. During the eleventh century, the Muslim invaders were at their peak, destroying temples, throwing away the principal deities, and stealing away the Utsava Vigrahas, besides forcing conversions. Without wielding any weapon, he rebuilt the temples, re-consecrated the sanctum sanctorum, and collected back the idols from Nawabs and Muslim emperors in the south and north. His real weapons were humane compassion, simple language, communication skills, and effective reasoning. After Adi Shankaracharya (788 to 820 AD), he is another great intellectual warrior who waged successful wars on ignorance and rival religions, using nonviolence and knowledge.
Ghajni Mohammad (971-1030) was wrongly quoted as an example of perseverance for his repeated invasions to destroy the Hindu kingdom. The right model is Ramanuja, because he made 18 attempts to convince Acharya Goshthi Poorna to impart to him the Asthakshari-Tirumanthra (of eight syllables, =Om Namo Naryaanaaya) and Dwaya (dual) mantra (Srimannaarayana Charanou Sharanam Prapadye Srimathe Raamaanujayanamaha) and their inner meanings. Every time, Acharya of Tirukosthiyur in Tamil Nadu used to return Ramanuja, saying, “Not now, come next”. He was testing his patience and ego-less-submissive-humbleness. He used to walk around 50 kilometers from Sri Rangam to that village and back, disappointed. At his 18th attempt, Guru finally melted and mercifully granted the knowledge with a strong condition that he should not reveal to all and sundry without testing the abilities and qualities.
Name owns the Knowledge except Janaardana
Sage Veda Vyasa says: “The Yoga, Jnaana, Saamkya, sciences, arts, works, Vedas, scriptures, spiritual illumination — all these have originated from Janaardana”. (Vishnu Sahasra Nama Stotram) This means that entire knowledge belongs to Him and His universe. Nobody has monopoly over it.
Kofi Annan says: “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family”.
Bede Griffiths says: “God had brought me to my knees and made me acknowledge my nothingness, and out of that knowledge I had been reborn. I was no longer the Centre of my life and therefore I could see God in everything”.
Aacharya is greater than Bhagawan
The father is the first teacher or Aachaarya who imparts Gayatra Mantri (Om Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dheemahee Dheeya Yonah Prachadoyat) to his son, becoming Shishya (disciple). Then Aacharya (he could either be a father or other generations with Aacharya Peetham in lineage) will impart Sri Narayana Mantra, also called Tiru (Sri) Mantra (divine) – Om Namoh Narayanaya. That disciple should salute Sandhya Vandanam and then perform Japam of Tiru Mantram. Any Guru, and disciple, called Shishya, should preserve an earth part of Jaju (called in Telugu, Gheru, called in Hindi), mix it with a little of water washed with feet of Guru, every day morning before Aaradhaana of Srimannarayana, should take a couple of drops of ‘Sree Paada Teertham’ the day-to-day should begin. Shortly said “Sree Paa Teertha.” Even though the Aacharya (Guru) attained Parama Padam (reaching the abode of Vishnu) the Sri Paada Teertham should add one after the other generation continuously. Sri Ramanuja says every Sri Vaishnava should you join with Sri Guru Peetham as in Samaashraayanam as part of lineage. To purify your sins, consume the Sri Paatha Theertham of great saints.
72 Conduct Rules of Ramanuja
Sri Ramanuja at the time, preached 72 Conduct Rules. Each should serve God and God’s devotees. Serve all devotees without regard to their status. This is the first rule of Ramanujacharya. One who claims to be a Sri Vaishnava he should comply with Ramanujacharya’s 72 articulated statements to his disciples. They are: Their foremost point made was that disciples should we blindly accept what our Acharyaas say, why respect only Sri Vasihnavaas, what about others. Have faith in the teachings of the acharyas. Praise the name of the Lord and aachaaryaas. Do not put your conviction on trivial sastras; have conviction in the sastras that deal with God. Do not be disrespectful to Sri Vasihnavaas for any reason, including age, caste, etc.
Ramanuja says: Protect yourself from the five senses. Do not succumb to sensual pleasures. All the knowledge you may have will not protect you if you choose sensual pleasures. It is not enough to control your sensual desires, you must surrender to the Lord.
