Ramanuja, the profoundly influential 11th-12th century Vaishnava saint, was himself influenced by the 8th century girl-saint Andal, sharing her creed of intimate personal devotion to Vishnu. It marked a popular shift from Adi Shankara's ancient philosophy of Advaita or non-dualism, which held that 'every living soul or jivatma is part of the supersoul, the all-pervading impersonal Paramatma'. But the human need to love a 'face' proved overpowering and Ramanuja modified Shankara's Advaita to Visishtadvaita or qualified dualism-that while a devoted human soul can attain the supersoul, it is subservient to it, who is Vishnu. To know more, we must go back to a morning in 11th-century Tamil Nadu.
The temple of Srirangam rose monumentally in the early dawn on its island between the Kaveri and Kollidam. A chorus of young girls entered, singing songs composed by Andal. A group of Vaishnava ascetics listened in deep spiritual pleasure as the girls sang Andal's vivid poems of her longing to merge her soul in Vishnu.
Tears began to flow down the cheeks of their leader, Ramanuja. He had made his own bold journey of love for Vishnu. Born in the temple town of Sriperumbudur, he was taught the powerful eight-syllable mahamantra 'Om Namo Narayanaya' by his guru. The spell merely appeared to state, 'I praise Lord Vishnu'. But its vibrations had an immensely empowering effect.
Only a spiritually evolved guru could impart this mystic mantra, and only to a pupil who was worthy.
This story is from the August 12, 2024 edition of The Morning Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 12, 2024 edition of The Morning Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Trump's Attacker Had Planned To Recruit Afghans To Fight For Ukraine
Wesley Routh has criminal record, posted on politics, donated to Democratic party
Worst Typhoon In 75 Years Brings Shanghai To A Halt
BEBINCA, the strongest typhoon to have hit China's Shanghai city in 75 years, on Monday left a trail of destruction, bringing the megacity with a 25 million population to a grinding halt.
Shah Reaffirms Govt's Fight Against Terrorism
HOME Minister Amit Shah, while addressing poll rallies in Jammu on Monday, said the Assembly polls in J&K is a fight between those who abrogated Article 370 (BJP) and those who are claiming to bring it back (NC, PDP and Congress) and asserted that the Modi government will bury the terrorism so deep that it cannot rise again.
Returning Rishabh Under Spotlight
After missing out on Test cricket for almost two years, wicketkeeper-batter likely to make a return in the first Test vs Bangladesh
Nobel Laureate Slams UN For Silence, Inaction
JAILED Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi on Monday urged the international community to act to end the "oppression" of women in Iran, two years after the start of a women-led protest movement.
7 members enter race to become next IOC prez
THE International Olympic Committee published a list Monday of seven would-be candidates who are set to run for election in March to succeed outgoing president Thomas Bach for the next eight years.
City hearing a chance to clear name or taint their dominance
THE biggest challenge to Manchester City's Premier League dominance was due to start on Monday at a hearing into a slew alleged financial breaches.
ACT hockey: Harmanpreet's twin goals sink Korea; take India to final
SKIPPER Harmanpreet Singh's sublime form resulted in twin strikes as defending champions India entered the final of the Asian Champions Trophy with a clinical 4-1 win against South Korea in the semi-final here on Monday.
From tennis ball to pace sensation: Rana's journey
HE had not held a cricket ball in his hand until he turned 17 but only four years later Nahid Rana started hurrying world-class batters with his raw pace.
UNRAVELLING CHRONIC MIGRAINE IN TEENAGERS
DOES your teenage son or daughter often complain of persistent, throbbing headaches? Parents might easily attribute these headaches to stress, exhaustion, or lack of sleep.