Life of Sri Ramanuja - Part 11

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The devotees in Yadavadri requested Sri Ramanuja to present them with an image of his likeness so that they could remember him always after his departure to Srirangam. Accordingly, Sri Ramanuja got a stone image made and transmitted his powers into it. Following this, Sri Ramanuja's devotees in his birthplace Sriperumbudur, also got a similar image made and infused life into it according to Vedic rituals.

Sri Ramanuja returned to Srirangam and lived there continuously for sixty years, spreading the message of Sri Vaishnavism through his discourses and training his disciples in spiritual life. His discourses in Tamil helped in spreading the knowledge of Vedanta to the masses, down to the grass roots. Sri Ramanuja lived up to a ripe age of 120 yrs and finally decided to give up his mortal coil, having accomplished his earthly mission with grace.

On hearing of his resolve to give up the body, his devotees thronged to him and importuned him to extend his life span for they could not bear separation from him. In order to pacify them, Sri Ramanuja asked them to make another image of his likeness and once again infused his powers into it and told them that this image would be his second self and that his presence would be felt in it even after his passing away. These three images continue to be worshipped even today in the temples of Srirangam, Yadavadri and Sriperumbudur.

Sri Ramanuja extended his life span by three days to allay the sorrow of his devotees. He then gathered all his followers and delivered his last message to them, which is called as "the seventy-four gems of instructions." The gist of his parting message may be summarised thus:

1. Worship all Sri Vaishnavas just as you would worship your own Guru. Look upon all devotees of God as a class by themselves and make no distinction of caste between them.
2. Have faith in the teachings of the great Acharyas and the scriptures. Devote a portion of time everyday to the readings of sacred scriptures.
3. Always seek the company of those who follow the path of self-surrender to God (prapatti) and shun the company of worldly ones.
4. Perform all your duties as a service to God, not merely as means for achieving worldly ends.
5. Study the Sribhashya and teach it to others, this is the best possible service which is very pleasing to God.

After instructing his followers thus, Sri Ramanuja gave up his body on the tenth day of the bright half of the month of Magha in 1137 AD (1059 Saka era). His disciples continued to preserve Dharma and kept his message alive through preaching and practice.

(Concluded)