Page 22 - Ramanuja and Equality Book.pmd

Swami Ramanuja, and he held in high regard those who displayed
compassion and kindness to everyone.

Equality of Social Status

Accept people from any social background: Once Ramanuja
and his devotees were going west, in a forested area. They were
all tired and looking for a place to stay and rest. They came across
a group of tribal people, one of whom recognized Ramanuja. That
lady became incredibly happy to see Ramanuja and requested
him and his group to stay in their village and accept their
services. Ramanuja, without any hesitation, and with immense
joy, accepted the request. He stayed in the tribal village and
accepted their services and blessed them. Ramanuja treated all
devotees the same, regardless of whether they were tribals, or
people from other sections of society.

Fully accept people who are differently abled: Once, Kuresa,
the most prominent disciple and partner of Ramanuja, and a great
leader, saw Ramanuja in his room, showering his blessings to a deaf
and dumb person, with great compassion. Kuresa was very moved at
the sight of Ramanuja treating him with great affection and making
him eligible to receive the grace of God equal to others, by blessing
him and intervening with the Lord on his behalf.It is said that Kuresa
remarked that it is his misfortune that he was learned and scholarly,
and that if he were deaf/dumb like the other person, he would have
received greater blessings and affection of Ramanuja. Thus, Ramanuja
displayed compassion and equality towards the differently abled.

These instances from Ramanuja’s life show us that that sincerity is the
only requirement. Being highly learned, being physically healthy, being
wealthy, being born in a high class - none of those provide superiority.
Ramanuja’s life is filled with such incidents, inspiring us, and showing
what equality really means. His life teaches us to live in sync with
nature and the supreme controller, along with fellow human beings
with mutual respect and equality. Equality in its true sense, has been
taught, and practiced by Ramanuja constantly in his life. The learnings
from his life are timeless.

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