Glimpses of Great Saint – Sri Ramanujacharya:
In the running world, many notable personalities such as Spiritual masters, Philosophers, Religious reformers, Political leaders, Great thinkers, Revolutionaries & Social reformers emerge and depart. All of them strive in their own ways to bring positive change and betterment in society. However, only a few of them are remembered and very few of them are duly glorified and systematically followed by society.
Sri Ramanujacharya was one Great Saint who sanctified this earth during AD 1017 – 1137. Born to Sri Kesava Somayaji & Kanthimathi of the Asuri family in Sriperumbudur village, Tamil Nadu, Sri Ramanujacharya went on to become one of the greatest Philosopher, Social reformers, Spiritual gurus who brought Visishtadvaitha school of philosophy into the light.
His Qualities and Contributions – Positive Impact on society :
- He was instrumental in opening the temple doors for all castes including the downtrodden.
- He brought all sections of society into temple services and thus made them feel like one family of God.
- He established equality among all humans by revealing the `NARAYANA MAHA MANTRA’ to all seekers, irrespective of their social status.
- He spread the message of ‘Surrender to God’ to remove ego, pride, fear and anxiety among people.
- He established devotion towards Lord Srimannarayana by propagating the messages of great devotees of Lord Srimannarayana known as Alvar saints.
- He traveled extensively across India renovating, reviving and reforming temples by establishing time-tested Vedic practices.
- He was the first to recognize the ‘dignity of labor’ concept by preaching and practicing that all activities whether physical or intellectual are services to God.
- He provided Sankha and Chakra to Lord Sri Venkateswara of Tirumala and thus became Acharya (Preceptor) even to the Lord. A Great Matchless Honor!
- He was responsible to build a big reservoir at Thondanur, Karnataka for cattle, irrigation and drinking purposes.
- He was a remarkable administrator & visionary and the entire human race will live at peace if we learn to follow the path laid down by the Great Acharya…
- It would be very little in whatever we offer to such a Great Acharya who lived a noble life of 120 years.
- The Statute of Equality (Samatha Murthy Spoorthi Kendra) is a humble token of gratitude to the Great Guru.