Today, February 5, marks the fifth anniversary of the inauguration of the Statue of Equality, dedicated to the 11th-century saint and philosopher Sri Ramanujacharya. Located at the Chinna Jeeyar Trust in Muchintal, Ranga Reddy district, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, it is the second-tallest sitting statue in the world.
Renowned poet Gaddar penned a poem honoring the thousand-year-old saint, highlighting Ramanuja’s revolutionary role in challenging caste-based discrimination and spreading spiritual knowledge to all.
While Ghajni Mohammad (971-1030) is often cited as an example of perseverance for his repeated invasions, the true model of unwavering dedication is Ramanuja. He made 18 attempts to convince Acharya Goshthi Poorna to impart the Asthakshari-Tirumantra and its inner meanings to him. Each time, the Tirukosthiyur Acharya sent him back, testing his patience, humility, and devotion. Ramanuja walked nearly 50 kilometers from Srirangam to Tirukosthiyur each time, returning disappointed. Finally, on the 18th attempt, his guru relented—but with a strict condition: he must not share the sacred knowledge indiscriminately.
To commemorate 1,000 years since Ramanuja’s divine birth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a special postal stamp and delivered a speech celebrating his life and philosophy. Modi emphasized Ramanuja’s message of inclusivity, stating:
“Saint Shri Ramanujacharya believed that everything—past, present, and future—is an expression of God. He saw God in all human beings and all human beings in God. When caste-based distinctions were deeply ingrained in society, he stood against it, advocating equality and unity.”
In his song, Gaddar praises Ramanuja as a rebel against caste-based hierarchy, a spiritual reformer who broke secrecy laws to reveal sacred mantras to all. Ramanuja respected non-Brahmin personalities as gurus and disciples, and he opened temple doors to Dalits and tribals—an act that defied the rigid social norms of his time.
Ramanuja remains one of the most revered Jagadacharyas (Universal Teachers), championing one of the three major philosophical paths:
- Advaita (Non-dualism) – by Adi Shankaracharya
- Vishishta Advaita (Qualified Non-dualism) – by Ramanuja
- Dvaita (Dualism) – by Madhvacharya
Ramanuja’s vision of equality, devotion, and social justice continues to inspire millions of people.
