Sri Ramanuja was dear to Lord Varadaraja of Kanchipuram but his association with Srirangam and Tirumala is of great significance. What if there was a debate on which of them had the first right over the preceptor? Presenting an imaginary argument.
Honourable Justice Lord Narayana (Chief Justice).
Honourable Justice Sree Devi.
Honourable Justice Bhooma Devi.
Plaintiffs: Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam and Lord Srinivasa of Tirumala represented by counsel Parasara Bhatta.
Defendant: Lord Varadaraja of Kanchipuram, represented by counsel Kidambi Achan. When the judges took their seats, silence descended on the room. Arguments began.
PB (Parasara Bhatta): It has come to the notice of the plaintiffs, that the defendant Lord Varadaraja of Kanchi has been saying that He has first claim over Ramanuja. My clients Ranganatha and Srinivasa are the ones who should by all rights have first claim over Ramanuja. Ramanuja is remembered as a brilliant administrator today, mainly because of the work he did in Srirangam. We also have to remember that it was Vibhishana who brought Ranganatha to Srirangam.
KA (Kidambi Achan): Why is Vibhishana being brought in now? What is the connection?
PB: If my learned friend will allow me to continue, I can explain. Saranagati is the crux of Visishtadvaita, and whenever Saranagati is explained, the example of Vibhishana Saranagati is quoted. So Ranganatha claiming a unique connection with Ramanuja is justified from whichever angle you look at it.
CJ (Chief Justice): Let counsel for the plaintiffs proceed with his arguments.
PB: It was in Srirangam that Ramanuja wrote ‘Saranagati Gadyam’. The Ramanuja idol in Srirangam is not a likeness of the Acharya, but is the Acharya himself. On behalf of the second plaintiff — Srinivasa of Tirumala, I would like to point out that when Srinivasa’s identity itself was disputed, it was Ramanuja who re-established it. His first Vedantic treatise ‘Vedartha Sangraha’ was presented by him in Tirumala. Tirumala is the only temple where Andal’s Tiruppavai is recited throughout the year. This is due to the influence of Ramanuja. My clients, therefore, pray for a declaration that they have first right over Ramanuja, and also pray that the defendant be restrained from claiming first right.
KA: This is an emotive issue, and goes beyond just facts, and my arguments, while being grounded in facts, will also go beyond factual statements. Who is most important in a child’s life in its early years? Is it not the parents? It is the parents, who shed the first tears of joy when the child is born, watch its first steps as a toddler and see it grow to maturity. Divine parents Kanchi Varadaraja and Perundevi are the ones who can have such a claim in the case of Ramanuja. For one thing, Kanchipuram is closer geographically to Sriperumbudur where Ramanuja was born, than either Srirangam or Tirumala are.
PB: Geographical proximity does not confer any special rights on the defendant.
KA: Geographical proximity is not the only reason for my client’s claim. When Yadavaprakasa tried to kill Ramanuja, it was Varadaraja and Perundevi who, in the guise of hunters, guided him to Kanchipuram. They threw a protective mantle around him, much the same way that parents shield their children from harm. When they saved Ramanuja, the Divine Couple asked him for water, and Ramanuja, like a dutiful son who fulfils his parents’ wishes, fetched water everyday from the Salai Kinaru for Lord Varadaraja. Thus it was Varadaraja who initiated Ramanuja into temple service. Ranganatha and Srinivasa benefited from this later. It was in the Varadaraja temple that Alavandar first saw Ramanuja, identified him as the one who had the potential to be a spiritual leader, and declared ‘Aam mudalvan.” It was to Varadaraja that Alavandar submitted his prayer that Ramanuja should spread the message of Sri Vaishnavism. This is a translation of Alavandar’s prayer:
“O Varada giver of boons! I offer my surrender to you, my sole refuge. By your grace the speechless speak, the sightless see, the childless are blessed with progeny. I submit my prayer to you. Bless Ramanuja and enable him to become the preceptor who will spread the message of Sri Vaishnavism.”
CJ: You may continue with your arguments, when the court resumes after lunch.
(To be concluded)
