Ramanujacharya

Ramanujacharya (c. 1017–1137 CE) was one of India’s most influential philosophers, theologians, and social reformers, renowned as the principal proponent of the Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) school of Vedanta. He was a key figure in the Bhakti movement and a spiritual leader who advocated for equality, devotion, and universal access to God’s grace.
His teachings blended rigorous philosophy with deep devotionalism, laying the foundation for major Vaishnava traditions and reforming Hindu society by challenging caste barriers and promoting the ideal of service (seva) to humanity as service to God.

Early Life and Background

Ramanujacharya was born in Sri Perumbudur, near Chennai in Tamil Nadu, around 1017 CE into a Brahmin family. His father, Kesava Somayaji, and mother, Kantimathi, were devout followers of the Vaishnava tradition. From an early age, Ramanuja displayed exceptional intelligence and spiritual inclination.
He studied under Yadavaprakasha, a scholar of Advaita Vedanta (non-dualism), propounded by Adi Shankaracharya. However, Ramanuja disagreed with the strict monistic interpretation of the Upanishads, which viewed the individual soul (jivatma) and supreme reality (Brahman) as identical. His philosophical differences with his teacher marked the beginning of his journey towards establishing Vishishtadvaita philosophy.
Later, he was initiated into the Sri Vaishnava tradition by his guru Periya Nambi and became a disciple of the great saint Yamunacharya (also known as Alavandar), whose works profoundly influenced Ramanuja’s spiritual development.

Philosophical Contributions

Ramanujacharya’s Vishishtadvaita Vedanta (qualified non-dualism) stands as one of the three major schools of Vedanta philosophy, alongside Advaita (non-dualism) of Adi Shankara and Dvaita (dualism) of Madhvacharya.
Core Principles of Vishishtadvaita:

1. Unity in Diversity:
   • The ultimate reality (Brahman) is one, but it manifests through an infinite variety of individual souls (jivas) and matter (prakriti).
   • God, souls, and the universe are distinct yet inseparable — much like body and soul.
2. God as a Personal Deity:
   • Ramanuja identified Brahman with Narayana or Vishnu, possessing infinite auspicious qualities (kalyana gunas).
   • Devotion (bhakti) and surrender (prapatti) to God lead to liberation (moksha).
3. Path to Liberation:
   • Liberation is achieved not through mere intellectual knowledge but through devotion, faith, and divine grace.
   • The relationship between God and soul is one of master and servant, characterised by love and service.
4. Reality of the World:
   • Unlike Advaita, which views the material world as illusion (maya), Ramanuja affirmed that the world is real, as it is a manifestation of Brahman.
5. Equality and Universal Salvation:
   • Every soul, regardless of caste, gender, or background, has the potential to attain salvation through devotion and surrender to God.

Major Works

Ramanujacharya’s scholarly contributions include profound commentaries and treatises that articulate his philosophical vision. His principal works are:

1. Sri Bhashya:
   • His magnum opus — a detailed commentary on Brahma Sutras (Vedanta Sutras).
   • Establishes the doctrine of Vishishtadvaita and refutes Advaita interpretations.
2. Vedarthasangraha:
   • A synthesis of the philosophical teachings of the Upanishads from the standpoint of qualified non-dualism.
3. Bhagavad Gita Bhashya:
   • Commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, highlighting devotion (bhakti yoga) and total surrender (prapatti) as paths to liberation.
4. Vedanta Sara and Vedanta Deepa:
   • Concise expositions of his philosophy and Vedantic principles.

Through these works, Ramanujacharya systematised the philosophical foundation of Vaishnavism and established it as a comprehensive spiritual and intellectual tradition.

Religious and Social Reform

Ramanujacharya was not only a philosopher but also a visionary reformer who sought to democratise spiritual life and eliminate social inequalities.
1. Advocacy for Equality:

• He opposed caste-based restrictions on temple entry and participation in religious worship.
• He emphasised that true devotion and purity of heart were more important than birth-based privileges.

2. Temple Reforms:

• As the head of the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, he reorganised temple administration, standardised rituals, and made worship inclusive of all devotees.

3. Integration of Alvar Saints’ Teachings:

• He elevated the devotional hymns of the Alvars (Tamil Vaishnava saints) to canonical status, integrating Tamil devotional literature (Divya Prabandham) into mainstream temple worship alongside Sanskrit scriptures.

4. Emphasis on Prapatti (Surrender):

• He propagated total surrender to God’s will (sharanagati) as the simplest and most accessible path to salvation, particularly for those unable to follow rigorous ascetic practices.

5. Unifying Religion and Service:

• Ramanuja equated service to humanity with service to God, promoting the ideal of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world as one family.

Legacy and Influence

Ramanujacharya’s influence extends far beyond philosophy; he is regarded as a spiritual reformer, theologian, and unifier of Bhakti traditions.
1. Sri Vaishnavism:

• Ramanuja is considered the founder of the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya, which combines devotion (bhakti) with intellectual understanding (jnana).
• The tradition flourished in South India and later spread to other parts of the country.

2. Bhakti Movement:

• His teachings inspired later saints such as Ramanuja’s successors Pillai Lokacharya, Vedanta Desika, and Manavala Mamuni, and influenced northern Bhakti leaders like Ramananda, Kabir, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

3. Integration of Philosophy and Devotion:

• Ramanuja bridged the gap between rational philosophy and emotional devotion, making spirituality accessible to common people.

4. Socio-Religious Harmony:

• His emphasis on inclusivity and compassion laid the groundwork for social harmony and religious tolerance within Hinduism.

5. Global Recognition:

• In 2017, India celebrated Ramanuja’s 1000th birth anniversary (Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi), unveiling the “Statue of Equality” in Hyderabad — a 216-foot-tall statue dedicated to his ideals of equality and devotion.

Philosophical Comparison

Teachings and Philosophy in Practice

Ramanujacharya’s life embodied humility, compassion, and devotion. He preached that knowledge, devotion, and ethical living were inseparable. Some of his enduring messages include:

• “Serve all beings as service to God.”
• “Salvation is open to everyone, not restricted by caste or birth.”
• “True knowledge leads to devotion; true devotion leads to liberation.”