Page 15 - Ramanuja and Equality Book.pmd
P. 15

Ramanuja was extremely moved by this young girl’s devotion. He
       considered her devotion to be like the devotion of Goda Devi and
       installed a vigraha of her. To this day, this vigraha is present, and
       she is called ‘Bibi Nachiyar’. He once more showed that devotion
       transcends anything else and, in this case, it was religion of birth,
       as the princess was born in a Muslim family. A similar vigraha
       is present in Sri Rangam temple also, and there is a practice of
       offering chapati (roti) to Lord Ranganatha, as during the Lords’s
       stay with the princess, she offered the food she is used to, chapati
       (roti) every day.
        ALL have equal right to receive secrets of Vedas


       The esoteric mantra, known as Thirumantra, and its meaning,
       provides the foundation for coming out of the sorrows of life.
       It was only taught to a handful of deserving people, that too,
       only in person. Even Ramanuja had to pass a great test to receive the
       Thirumantra, and its meaning.

       As instructed by his acharya, Ramanuja approached Goshtipurna,
       the acharya entrusted with  this  sacred mantra, to learn it.
       Goshtipurna lived in Goshtipuram which was 100 km away from
       Sri Rangam. Ramanuja walked all the way to Goshtipuram, and
       with  veneration  and  devotion,  submitted  to  Goshtipurna  his
       desire to learn this esoteric mantra. However, Goshtipurna said
       “The time is not right, come back later”, and Ramanuja, without
       saying anything went back. Goshtipurna was testing Ramanuja’s
       resolve and qualifications as a student, as was the practice in
       that time. This happened seventeen times! Each time, Ramanuja
       came back disappointed but never gave up.


       The 18th time Goshtipurna told him “Ok I will teach you, but
       promise me that you will not reveal this to the undeserving! This
       is only for a select  few. Never  break  this  promise.” Ramanuja
       agreed and learned the mantra. Soon afterwards, He climbed on
       top of the temple tower and revealed the mantra to everyone
       who wanted to know! Goshtipurna became upset and asked -
       “Ramanuja do you know the consequences of breaking a promise
       to  your  acharya?”  Ramanuja  replied  “O  great  one!  indeed

                                       14
   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20