Teachings Of Sri Ramanujacharya

By- Khushi Bisht

Sri Ramanujacharya was one of the most prominent philosophers and saints of Sri Viashnavam Sampradaya. He was one of those visionaries who illuminated the way to justice and devotion. Therefore, he is regarded as one of Hinduism's most revered saints.

He revived Indian philosophical thinking to such an extent that his work has impacted almost every area of Hinduism. His work reveals a genuinely wonderful character, one that combines meditative depth, analytical acumen, charisma, and selfless devotion to God.

In this article, we will look at Sri Ramanujacharya's teachings that are still very relevant today.

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Sri Ramanuja's teachings incorporate both intellectual and religious elements. His ideas bridge the gap between academics and basic religious people. The core of Ramanuja's teachings is to surrender oneself to God and let go of fear. He emphasized that people's current circumstances are the result of their previous Karma (actions). However, the suffering would pass, and a life lived in accordance with Dharma (cosmic order) might change their future.

Bhakti Marga (the path of devotion) was a major focus of Ramanuja's teachings. He acknowledged the value of ritual adherence, but only under limited circumstances. Devotion, he believed, was the most effective method of salvation, and bhakti-yoga is the greatest practice.

The Holy icon of Sri Ramanuja inside the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, India.Wikimedia Commons

Ramanuja considered the Upanishads to be the greatest treasure of all religious source material. The Upanishads are Veda's last section, which focuses only on Ultimate Reality as well as how to achieve it. Srimad Bhagavad Gita is the core of the Upanishads, presented by God for humankind's sake.

The Gita and Upanishads, according to Ramanuja, embodies the very same concept expressed in various syntax. The Gita may place a greater emphasis on "compassion," while the Upanishads place a greater emphasis on "meditation," but even a cursory examination reveals that the two must work together.

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The ultimate existence of three separate orders, matter, soul, and God, is accepted in Ramanuja's ideology. The comparison of body and soul is fundamental to his viewpoint of the universe, just as the body transforms the soul, has really no independent identity from it, but is distinct from it, so the categories of matter and soul compose God's "body," altering it but possessing no independent identity from it. As our bodies serve the soul, the individual soul's aim should be to serve the supreme God.

The Vedic religion is plagued by caste prejudice. The explanation of rich and poor births as the result of karma was even more absurd. Ramanujar was a staunch opponent of caste prejudice. Ramanujar claimed that Vaishnavism belongs to everybody in order to eliminate caste prejudice.