Page 21 - Ramanuja and Equality Book.pmd

However, Ramanuja believed that every language is equally
good when it can spread the message of the Vedas to people
who understand that language. He systematized the usage of the
Dravida Veda in temples (daily, and on special occasions when
they were recited, dance dramas etc.), in homes (daily) and in
gatherings. Ramanuja also ensured that everyone is eligible to
learn the Tamil Veda and made it an essential part of spiritual
practice for the Sri Vaishnava sampradaya. Ramanuja did not stop
there. He utilized these great works and the meanings of them
passed down from Nathamuni onwards, to form his thoughts on
interpreting difficult portions of the Sanskrit Vedanta. He also
recited and enjoyed the meanings every day with his disciples
and commanded that a commentary be written on one of the
works - Thiruvaimozhi.
Equality of Economic Status

Once Ramanuja and his disciples were going on a pilgrimage and
were passing through an area with a lot of villages and fields. A
few disciples went ahead by a day, to arrange for stay and food
in advance of the whole group. There were two devotees in that
village. One of them was rich, and the other was poor financially.
The poor one was a cotton field farmer living with his wife. When
the disciples went there, the farmer couple received them with
great reverence, enquired about their well-being and offered
them refreshments. They inquired about Swami Ramanuja and
felt elated that he was visiting the village. The disciples then
visited the rich Sri Vaishnava’s house. The wealthy Sri Vaishnava
assumed that Swami Ramanuja would visit and stay in his house
and in that enthusiasm, his mind did not care for the disciples
who came in enquiring for the arrangement of amenities.

The disciples then narrated everything to Swami Ramanuja who
decided to go to the poor Sri Vaishnavas house because they
respected and took care of every devotee regardless of their
status. Knowing they did not have the means to support their
stay, Ramanuja made sure they could get the material and things
needed to support their stay, and then blessed them by staying
with them. Thus, economic status was never a criterion for

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