P.J.
0
Sri Ramanuja's Golden Rules
Sri Ramanuja (1017 - 1137 CE), the most important philosopher-saint of Sri Vaishnavam and one of the most dynamic characters of Hinduism. He was a philosophical as well as a social reformer, displaying a catholicity that was nearly unparalleled in Hindu religious history before him. He revitalized Indian philosophy and popular religion so much that nearly every aspect of Hinduism has been influenced by his work. His life and works show a truly unique personality, combining contemplative insight, logical acumen, catholicity, charismatic energy, and selfless dedication to God.
The less known fact even among Srivaishnavas about this well known Acharya by whose name Srivaishnava philosophy is called 'Ramanuja Darsanam' and who is hailed as "Sri Vaishnava Siddhanta Nirdhaarana Saarva bouma" is that he was a 'Vadama' by birth.(Authority :" Periya Thrumudi Adaivu, Pazhanadai Vilakkam and Visishtaadvaita Catechism" - quoted in GLE
In his death bed Sri Raamanuja is said
to have articulated 82 statements to his
disciples.
(Here are some of them)
1. Serve God and God's devotees. Serve
all devotees without regard to their
status.
2. Have faith in the teachings of
acchaaryaas.
3. Do not succumb to sensual pleasures.
4 & 5. Do not put your conviction on
trivial saasthraas, have conviction on
the saasthraas that deal with God.
6 - 8. Protect yourself from the five
senses.
9 & 10. Praise the name of the Lord and
aachaaryaas.
11. All the knowledge you may have will
not protect you if you choose sensual
pleasures.
12 & 13. It is not enough to control
your sensual desires, you must surrender
to the Lord.
14 - 17. Do not be disrespectful of sri
vaishnavaas for any reason, including
age, caste, etc. You must show respect
to them all.
18. When you rise from your bed
meditate upon your ancestral line of
aahaaryas.
19. In front of the sanctum of our Lord,
amongst sri vaishnavaas utter the words
of thiru manthiram and dvayam.
20. Praise the auspicious qualities of
our Lord and aachaaryaas.
21 and 22. Welcome sri vaishnavas with
open arms and praise. Do not praise
ordinary people for the sake of material
gain.
23. Pay respect when you see the gOpuram
of a temple.
24 - 25. Have undying faith in Lord
Vishnu.
26. Do not find fault with praise of the
Lord or devotees.
27 - 29. Pay at most respect to sri
vaishnavaas.
30 & 31. Among sri vaishnavaas do not
discriminate between poor and rich.
32. Ignore the faults and praise the
virtues of sri vasihnavaas.
33 - 35. Consume Sri paadha theertham
with respect.
36. Do not consider yourself as equal to
other devotees. Think of yourself as
their servant.
37 - 39. To purify your sins consume the
sri paatha theertham of great saints.
For this, do not consider the caste of
those saints.
40 & 41. Duties of families. (Not
described in the text)
42 - 44. Visiting temples and securing
prasaadam is important.
45. Do not boast about your virtues.
46. Do not scorn a devotee.
47. Do not ignore serving devotees.
48. Praise the auspicious qualities of
the Lord daily.
49. Recite prabhandams like thiruvaay
mozhi daily.
50 - 58. Do not associate with the ones
who only pretend to be sri vaihnvaas.
Do not associate with the ones who find
faults with others. Do not even look
upon those who belittle devotees.
Associate with those who wish to
surrender to the Lord.
59 & 60. Ignore the harsh words of other
sri vaishnvaas. Always do good to them.
Re: Ramanuja's Golden Rules
Sri Ramanujacharya Life History
Ramanuja
Sri Ramanuja (1017 - 1137 CE), the most important philosopher-saint of Sri Vaishnavam and one of the most dynamic characters of Hinduism. He was a philosophical as well as a social reformer, displaying a catholicity that was nearly unparalleled in Hindu religious history before him. He revitalized Indian philosophy and popular religion so much that nearly every aspect of Hinduism has been influenced by his work. His life and works show a truly unique personality, combining contemplative insight, logical acumen, catholicity, charismatic energy, and selfless dedication to God.
The less known fact even among Srivaishnavas about this well known Acharya by whose name Srivaishnava philosophy is called 'Ramanuja Darsanam' and who is hailed as "Sri Vaishnava Siddhanta Nirdhaarana Saarva bouma" is that he was a 'Vadama' by birth.(Authority :" Periya Thrumudi Adaivu, Pazhanadai Vilakkam and Visishtaadvaita Catechism" - quoted in GLE
In his death bed Sri Raamanuja is said
to have articulated 82 statements to his
disciples.
(Here are some of them)
1. Serve God and God's devotees. Serve
all devotees without regard to their
status.
2. Have faith in the teachings of
acchaaryaas.
3. Do not succumb to sensual pleasures.
4 & 5. Do not put your conviction on
trivial saasthraas, have conviction on
the saasthraas that deal with God.
6 - 8. Protect yourself from the five
senses.
9 & 10. Praise the name of the Lord and
aachaaryaas.
11. All the knowledge you may have will
not protect you if you choose sensual
pleasures.
12 & 13. It is not enough to control
your sensual desires, you must surrender
to the Lord.
14 - 17. Do not be disrespectful of sri
vaishnavaas for any reason, including
age, caste, etc. You must show respect
to them all.
18. When you rise from your bed
meditate upon your ancestral line of
aahaaryas.
19. In front of the sanctum of our Lord,
amongst sri vaishnavaas utter the words
of thiru manthiram and dvayam.
20. Praise the auspicious qualities of
our Lord and aachaaryaas.
21 and 22. Welcome sri vaishnavas with
open arms and praise. Do not praise
ordinary people for the sake of material
gain.
23. Pay respect when you see the gOpuram
of a temple.
24 - 25. Have undying faith in Lord
Vishnu.
26. Do not find fault with praise of the
Lord or devotees.
27 - 29. Pay at most respect to sri
vaishnavaas.
30 & 31. Among sri vaishnavaas do not
discriminate between poor and rich.
32. Ignore the faults and praise the
virtues of sri vasihnavaas.
33 - 35. Consume Sri paadha theertham
with respect.
36. Do not consider yourself as equal to
other devotees. Think of yourself as
their servant.
37 - 39. To purify your sins consume the
sri paatha theertham of great saints.
For this, do not consider the caste of
those saints.
40 & 41. Duties of families. (Not
described in the text)
42 - 44. Visiting temples and securing
prasaadam is important.
45. Do not boast about your virtues.
46. Do not scorn a devotee.
47. Do not ignore serving devotees.
48. Praise the auspicious qualities of
the Lord daily.
49. Recite prabhandams like thiruvaay
mozhi daily.
50 - 58. Do not associate with the ones
who only pretend to be sri vaihnvaas.
Do not associate with the ones who find
faults with others. Do not even look
upon those who belittle devotees.
Associate with those who wish to
surrender to the Lord.
59 & 60. Ignore the harsh words of other
sri vaishnvaas. Always do good to them.
Re: Ramanuja's Golden Rules
Sri Ramanujacharya Life History
Ramanuja