Context:
Prime Minsiter mentioned saints Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya in his speech at inauguration of Kashi – Tamil Sangamam.
Sri Ramanujacharya (11th century):
- Born in Tamil Nadu
- His Guru gave him title “Em-perum-anar” meaning ‘you are ahead of us’.
Contributions as a Philosopher:
- Influenced by – Alvars (Vishnu worshippers)
- Propounded – Doctrine of Vishishtadvaita (qualified oneness)
- Revived Bhakti movement.
- Inspiration for poets like Annamacharya, Bhakt Ramdas, Thyagaraja, Kabir, and Meerabal.
- Wrote 9 Scriptures (known as Navaratnas) including Sri Bhashya, Gita-Bhasyal and Vedartha-Sangraha
- Composed commentaries on Vedic scriptures.
- Established correct procedures for temple rituals (e.g. Tirumala and Srirangam Temples)
Contribution as an advocate of social equality:
- Encouraged temple entry for all.
- Asked royal courts to treat everyone as equals.
- Propounded concept of “Vasudhaiva kutumbakam” (originally in Maha Upanishad).
- Named subjugated classes “Thirukkulathar” meaning ‘Born Divine”.
- Sri Vaishnavam Sampradaya – Universal salvation through devotion to God, compassion, humility, equality, and mutual respect.
Statues inaugurated:
- Statue of Peace of Swami Ramanujacharya – Srinagar (Sonwar region)
- 216-feet tall Statue of Equality of Swami Ramanujacharya – Hyderabad
Don’t get confused:
It is different from Statue of Peace, unveiled by PM in Rajasthan (2020), of Jain monk Acharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer. Also, there is Statue of Unity, world’s tallest statue, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Sri Ramanujacharya’s Philosophy – Vishishtadvaita:
- ‘Visistadvaita” meaning ‘qualified non- dualism’.
- Supreme reality is Saguna Brahman – a personal being with countless auspicious attributes.
- Brahman (soul), the Jiva and the Jagat (the soul and material nature) has an inseparable relationship with the whole.
- ‘Visistadvaita” – not coined by Ramanuja but came to be used by others afterwards.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) The best means of salvation was devotion.
(b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.
(c) Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss
(d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.
Answer: (a)
