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Thousand years ago, in the Vaishnava Sampradãya, an Ãcharya Purusha named Ramanuja incarnated in the village of SriPerumpudur. Here is an anecdote from his life that depicts the immense compassion that he had.

Once, in order to receive upadesa of ‘Thiruvashtãkshara’(8 lettered) mantra, he went to the Nambi living in Thirukottiyur from Kancheepuram (place where Ramanuja was staying). Though the Nambi heeded the request of Ramanuja, he did not give upadesa. On some pretext, he sent him off asking him to come another day. Ramanuja made seventeen such attempts and had to return every time without receiving upadesa. Still, he did not lose heart. He visited the Nambi for the eighteenth time and requested him to give upadesa.

Pleased by Ramanuja’s absolute patience and real interest in receiving the Mantra upadesa, Thirukottiyur Nambi gave the upadesa at the right time. While giving the upadesa, Thirukottiyur Nambigal told Sri Ramanuja -“You must not give upadesa of this mantra to anybody. If you do, you will attain hell. If you incessantly do japa of Thiruvashtãkshara mantra, you will most certainly attain liberation without any hurdle. Later, Ramanuja took leave of Thirukottiyur Nambi after paying obeisance to him.

Ramanuja while coming out was in a state of ecstasy. He seemed relieved of all worries. But the purpose of his incarnation was not to attain the highest state and liberate himself! He was very sure about the fact that the mantra that he had received was capable of giving liberation. His intention was to give upadesa of this Thiruvashtãkshara mantra to everybody and help them attain liberation.

Soon after he received the mantra, Ramanuja climbed the top of the Gopura of the temple. He called all the people. Ramanuja’s desire was fulfilled. His mind was filled with boundless enthusiasm. His very mission gave him strength. Due to these reasons, his voice became mellifluous, compulsively inviting and attractive. He called on to the mass several times. Then, Ramanuja , in a loud tone, with a magnanimous heart, immense compassion and love gave upadesa of Thiruvashtãkshara mantra to one and all. He requested everybody to chant the mantra always.

Hearing this, Thirukottiyur Nambi sent for Ramanuja and reproached him. He said-“You have ignored my advice! You are sure to attain hell.” Unperturbed by these words and full of contentment, Ramanuja said-“There is no harm in it! I am prepared to go to hell if all these people can attain liberation.” Thirukottiyur Nambi was overwhelmed on seeing the compassion that Ramanuja had. He blessed Ramanuja and sent him.

In the year 1931 Shri Vaidyanatha Iyer, later, Mahatma Gandhi and E.V.R.Periyar led the so called untouchables into the temple. For the past few years, the caste system and caste restrictions are not rigorously followed. But, during the period of Ramanuja the caste restrictions were followed very stringently. But even under such circumstances, Ramanuja addressed the so called untouchables as ‘Thirukulatthor’(people belonging to the noble caste) and led them into temples. Thus we can see that Ramanuja was the pioneer in doing such a social revolution.

The life of great incarnations like Ramanuja inspires children like us to have an open mind and cultivate pure thinking.

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