Worship Saint Ramanuja-Philosopher and social reformer –on his birthday

Worship Saint Ramanuja-Philosopher and social reformer –on his birthday
(Ashtothara namavali)

On  the 1000th birthday celebrations of saint Ramanuja , the great exponent of Visishtadvaitha philosophy starts . When we think about this great saint we tend to remember the definition of a true Vaishnava by Narasi Mehtha(my translation of Vaishnava Janatho) :-

He and he alone is the Vaishnava,
Who knows the pain and misery of others,
Who tries to help others in distress,
And who does not have pride in his mind.

He and he alone is the Vaishnava,
Who respects and salutes all,
Who does not talk ill of others,
Who keeps his mind pure in words and action,
And whose mother is considered blessed by all.

He and he alone is the Vaishnava,
Who views everybody as equal,
Who considers other women as his mother,
Who never tells lies all his life,
And who never yearns for other’s wealth.

He and he alone is the Vaishnava,
Who never has any attachments,
Who is strongly detached to worldly pleasures,
Who is addicted to remembering his God,
And in whose mind are all the holy places of the world.

He and he alone is the Vaishnava,
Who has no greed and deceit in his mind,
Who has forsaken all pleasures and anger,
And whose sight is thirsted for by Narasi the poet,
For the entire family gets salvation on seeing him.

Saint Ramanuja being a very true Vaishnava was the perfect personification of all these great qualities.The saint who was born in Tamil Nadu merged himself with the Vaishnava tradition of Tamil Nadu .Even before his birth , attempts were made to collect the writings of the twelve Azhvar saints and a book called Nalayira Divya prabandham containing all the writings of those twelve great saints , by another great Vaishnva saint called Nathamuni . These saints were men of God and were much beyond the divisions of casteism that existed during that period. Saint Ramanuja not only fell in love with this tradition but lead the philosophic interpretations of these great assets of this divine literature .Among the these great works he had very special liking to THiruppavai , a collection of 30 songs written by Andal Nachiyar praising lord Vishnu .
Though he did not produce vast amount of written literature like Adhi Sankara , he did undertake writing commentary of Bhagawad Gita as well as Brahma Suthra , authoured independent works called Vedartha sangraha , Sri Bhashya and the three great books called Gadhya Thraya . He differed with the view of Adhi SAnkara that the Antharathma(individual soul) is a part of the Paramathma(The God principle) but believed that the Antharathma is different but can by efforts like devotion and self surrender get merged with the Paramathma . Because of this he made his followers attach great importance to devotion as well as the self surrender to God .
But Saint Ramanuja was much greater as a first social reformer . He believed that among the true Vaishnavas there is no difference in status created due to caste.(Possibly the first Hindu saint to tell like this). He also felt that the tamil writings of Azhvar saints is in no way inferior to Vedic writings and introduced them in the Agama worship in Vaishnava temples . In most of the Vaishnava temples(In Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Karnataka) during the ritualistic worship of God the devotional works of Azhvar saints in Tamil are sung . He called the works of Azhvars as Tamizh marai (Tamil Veda). He also tried to a very large extent try to remove the differences created by castes among the Vaishnavas .
When we remember that it took several centuries for other people in India to follow this great social reform process of removing disparities among human beings , we would be able to understand that great thinker .Even after 1000 years after him , all the population of India have not found ways to remove these disparities among human beings . I wish many Ramanujas should be born to carry forward his message , I am giving below the Ashtothara to worship this great saint :-
Saint Ramanuja Ashtotharam

By
Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri SadagOpan

(Saint Ramanuja was a great philosopher , a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and a very great social reformer.He was also endearing referred to as “Yathi rajar” and Udayavar (Conferred to him by Lord Ranganatha of Sri rangam temple) by his devotees.His poorvasrama name was Lakshmana Though there were many Vaishnavite saints before him who mainly were exponents of Bhakthi , It was saint Ramanuja who apart from following their path also systematized the Vaishnava philosophy by writing commentary to the Prasthana Thraya .He also was a great social reformer. He could not find the need to differentiate between a devotee and another devotee. The author of the Ashtotharam writes in his introduction :-

Dear Bhagavath RaamAnuja SiddhAnthins and abhimAnis:

On this SvabhAnu SrI RaamAnuja Jayanthi , adiyEn would
like to attempt the assembly of an AshtOtthara Satha NaamAvaLi
for our most revered AchAryan , YathirAja Saarvabhouman ,
SrI BhaashyakArar. adiyEn seeks the anugraham of asmath
AchAryan , SrI NaarAyaNa yathIndhra MahA Desikan
in this sthOthra maala construction Kaimkaryam.

adiyEn will assemble the NaamAvaLi from the various
tributes of PoorvAchAryAs like Swamy Desikan (Sri YathirAja
Sapthathi ) and others who preceded him or ascended acharya
peetams after him (Swamy Desikan) .

There is a beautiful AshtOttharam by SrImadh Andhra PoorNar,
a direct disciple of AchArya RaamAnujA . adiyEn will include
special nAmAs from there as well along with those from
SrI RaamAnuja Vimsathi of Swamy MaNavALa MaamunigaL.
This garland of nAmAs is like a kadhambha mAlA with
the fragrance assoicated with the dhivya Saarasvatham of
our great AchAryAs eulogizing their ParamAchAryan.
My effort is limited to construct a garland with
the ever fragrant nAmAs chosen by SrI VaishNava AchAryAs
belonging to SrI Bhagavath RaamAnja SiddhAntham.

All of us can not sing enough the praise of our
greatest AchAryan, SrI Bhagavath RaamAnujar of
SrIperumbhUthur , who is enjoying His uthsavam
right now at His avathAra Sthalam and will conclude
it with Gandha Podi Uthsavam on May 7 , the day after
His Thirunakshathram of Chittirai ThiruvAdhirai. “

I do not have anything more to add to this to this great introduction .My translation may suffer by mistakes .Please correct them and inform me,.)

1. Om Srimathe Ramanujaya nama-Salutations to Saint Ramanuja
2. Om SrI Lakshmana Munaye nama-Salutations to sage Lakshmana(Saint Ramanuja’s Poorvasrama name)
3. Om SrI Rangaraja charanambhuja Raajahamsaya nama-Salutations to the royal swan which was at the lotus like feet of Lord Ranganatha
4. Om Nirapaya Yathi pathi sampradhaya sthapakaya nama-Salutations to the saint who established the non dangerous system of the lords of sages
5. Om Ranga Vrutthi rasikAya nama-Salutations to the saint who enjoyed the service to Lord Ranga natha
6. Om ChaithrArdhra Sambhavaaya nama-Salutations to the saint whotook is birth in the month of Chithra.
7. Om TuNDeera MaNDalOtthithAya nama –Salutations to the saint who rose in thundeera mandala of Tamil Nadu
8. Om Vishno: darsana sthApana mahunubhavaya nama–Salutations to the saint who established the philosophy of Lord Vishnu
9. Om Adhisesha-avatharaya nama–Salutations to the saint who is the incarnation of Adhi sesha
10. Om Saranagatha Saarthavaha Swamine nama–Salutations to the saint who is the God like person who conductor of the philosophy of surrender
11. Om Thrijagath punya phala dhayaka ThridhaNda hasthAya nama–Salutations to the saint who holds the Tridanda(sage’s staff) in his hand who gives blessed results to the three worlds.
12. Om Vishno Panchayudha svaroopaya nama–Salutations to the saint who has the form of the five weapons of lord Vishmu
13. Om upaveethi bhUmnA tapanAdhisAyinE nama–Salutations to the saint who is lying distressed on the floor with his sacred thread
14. Om Mahathee Guru pankthi haara yashtine nama –Salutations to the saint who defeated the assembly of the great Guru
15. Om Suddha suvruttha Svabhavine nama–Salutations to the saint who has the clean well behaved nature
16. Om anapaya Vishnu paadha sevakaya nama–Salutations to the saint who is the servant of the unattainable feet of Vishnu
17. Om akalanga yoga Yathiraja Chandhraya nama–Salutations to the saint who moon among king of Yathis who is stainless.
18. Om Yathi Bhupataye nama –Salutations to the saint who is the king of Yatis
19. Om YathIsvaraya nama –Salutations to the saint who is the God among Yathis
20. Om nigama padikacchayas sakhinE nama–Salutations to the saint who is branch which is the reflected shadow of the Vedas
21. Om Mahitha Vividhcchathra sreni manoradhaa Saarathaye nama–Salutations to the saint who is the esteemed driver of the chariot of the mind successive groups of students.
22. Om Sruthi Surabhaya:SrI Sookthi dhAyinE nama–Salutations to the saint who gave Sri Sookthi which has the scent of Vedas.
23. Om Yathi paribrudaya nama–Salutations to the saint who is a Yati who put a spell of charm
24. Om Hari Charana pankheruha-yuge aasaktha manasaya nama–Salutations to the saint who had a mind attacted by the twin lotus like feet by Lord Hari,
25. Om Sudha samdhoha abhdhi roopa SrI Sookthaye nama–Salutations to the saint who is the author of Sri Sooktha which is like the nectar which came from ocean of milk.
26. Om nirupadhi para sneha bharitha Yathi kshmaabhruthe nama–Salutations to the saint who is absolutely filled with love for the divine and had great patience
27. Om Yathikshoni bharthre nama–Salutations to the saint who is the lord of the earth
28. Om Yaminam dhurandharaya nama–Salutations to the saint who helps those who restrain themselves ,when they are in need
29. Om Kaashayena gruhItha peetha vasanaya nama–Salutations to the saint who undertook SAnyasa and wore yellow garment
30. Om Lakshmana yogine nama–Salutations to the saint who is a yogi whose name was Lakshmana
31. Om Samyaminaam pathaye nama–Salutations to the saint who is lord of those who practice self control
32. Om Aajnna Suddhaya nama–Salutations to the saint who is pure and honest in the orders given by him
33. Om avyaja madhura Saarasvatha vachase nama –Salutations to the saint who spoke learned words which were naturally sweet
34. Om Yathi Chakravarthine nama –Salutations to the saint who is the emperor of saints
35. Om Chala chittha vrutthi nivarthana Oushadhaya nama –Salutations to the saint who is a medicine that cures vacillating mind
36. Om Sva sookthina avadhUtha paravadhi vaibhavaya nama–Salutations to the saint who by his own words had the greatness of talking to others as a saint who has given up the world
37. Om Yathi Saarvabhoumaya nama –Salutations to the saint who was the great emperor among sages
38. Om Sruthi saara sanmanthravidhe nama –Salutations to the saint who formulated Manthras which gave the essence of Vedas
39. Om Yaminam Naataya nama–Salutations to the saint who was one acted among those who were self restrained
40. Om unnidhra padhma subhaga upadesa madhrAya nama–Salutations to the saint who gives sweet advices and looks like a shining lotus flower.
41. Om Ghora Bhava samjvara peeditha jana samrakshakaya nama–Salutations to the saint who protected the people who were affected by terrible heat
42. Om Daya Moorthine nama–Salutations to the saint who was kindness personified
43. Om Kesava Somayaji Puthrakaya nama–Salutations to the saint who was son of Kesava Somayaji
44. Om Bhumi piratti suprajAya nama–Salutations to the saint who was good child of the mother earth
45. Om SrI Saila Poornarya BhaginI suthaya nama–Salutations to the saint who was the son of sister of Sri Saila poorna (Periya thirumalai Nambi)
46. Om SrI Bhuthapura Naayakena anugruheethaya nama nama–Salutations to the saint who was blessed by the Lord of Sri Bhoothapura(Present day Srivilliputhur)
47. Om SrI Varardaraja krupa labdha sadvakyarta bhagyasaline nama –Salutations to the saint who due to the grace of Lord Varadaraja was lucky enough to know the meaning of divine words
48. Om GhoshtipoorNa KrupA labdha manthra rAja prakAsakAya nama –Salutations to the saint who due to the grace of Thirukoshtiyur nambi got hold of the Manthra raja(Learnt from him the Ashtakshara Manthra)
49. Om Panchacharya padhasrayaya nama –Salutations to the saint who followed the foot steps of the five Acharyas
50. Om Sarva-sasthrarta tatthvajnayai nama –Salutations to the saint who is the philosopher familiar with meaning of all Sastras.
51. Om Kaanchi Poorna priya Sakhaya nama –Salutations to the saint who was very dear friend of Kanchipurna(One of the Gurus of Ramanuja)
52. Om SrI SailapoorNa karuNA labdha RaamayanArtakaya nama–Salutations to the saint who due to the grace of Sri Saila poorna(Periya Thirumalai nimbi) knew meaning of Ramayana
53. Om SrI VenkatachaladhIsa Sankha Chakra pradhayakaya nama–Salutations to the saint who gave SAnkha and Chakra to the Lord of Venkatachala
54. Om SrI Vaishnava priyaya nama–Salutations to the saint who liked Vaishnavism
55. Om Godhagrajaya nama–Salutations to the saint who is the elder brother of Godha (RAmanuja was called KOil Annar /elder brother of Godha, because he fulfilled her prayer on her behalf))
56. Om Chathussapthathi Sishya varga samethaya nama–Salutations to the saint who was with his seventy four disciples
57. Om SrIbhashyadhi nava mahagrantha karakaya nama–Salutations to the saint who composed nine great books like Sri Bhashya.
58. Om Sarva manthra mahodhadhayE nama–Salutations to the saint who is the great ocean of all manthras
59. Om SrImath Parankusa padhambhuja Bhrunga rajAya nama–Salutations to the saint who was the king of bees frequenting the lotus feet of Sage Parahnkusa(Nammazhvar)
60. Om Aathma padha aasrithAnAm kAmAdhi dhOsha dhvamsinE nama–Salutations to the saint who destroyed the blemishes like passion from those who surrendered to his feet
61. Om SrI Bhattanatha-Parakala mukhabhja Mithraya nama–Salutations to the saint who was the friend of lotus like words of BHattanatha(Periyazhvar) and Parakala(Thirumangai aazhwar)
62. Om Kooradhi nata KurukesAdhi aarAdhitha padhAmbhujAya nama–Salutations to the saint whose lotus feet was worshipped by Koorathazhwar and Kurukesa((THirukurugai Piran Pillan)
63. Om nithya dhivya vapushe nama–Salutations to the saint who is the perennial divine luster
64. Om Sishtagra ganya jana sevyamana dhivya charanaya nama–Salutations to the saint whose divine feet was served by highly disciplined honest people
65. Om Svakeeya Jana paapa vimOchakAya nama–Salutations to the saint who feerd his own people from their sins
66. Om Varadaraja Theertha-kaimkarya vaibhavaya nama–Salutations to the saint who is famous for his service in bringing water to the Varadarahja temple of Kanchi.
67. Om Karnatake Saalagrama agrahara stapakaya nama–Salutations to the saint who established the Salagrama Agrahara(collection of Brahmin homes) in Karnataka
68. Om KarnatakE Vishnu Vardhana devarayena poojithaya nama–Salutations to the saint who was worshipped by Vishnu Vardhana DEvaraya in Karnataka
69. Om Yadhugiri Naayaka visesha anugraha paatra bhUthAya nama–Salutations to the saint who got the special blessings of of the lord of Yadhugiri
70. Om Sampath Kumara dhivya sakhaya nama–Salutations to the saint who was divine friend of SAmpathkumara Swami(Chelva Pillai)
71. Om SrI Naarayana pure dhvAdasa samvathsara vaasinE nama–Salutations to the saint who lived in Narayanapura (Modern Mannargudi) for 12 years
72. Om Charaaagathy gadhya sruje nama–Salutations to the saint who composed the Charanagathi Gadhya
73. Om SrIranga gadhya vidhayakaya nama–Salutations to the saint who wrote the Sri Ranga Gadhyam
74. Om SrI Vaikunta gadhya kruthe nama–Salutations to the saint who composed the Sri Vaikunta gadhyam
75. Om SrI Geetha Bhashya kovithAya nama–Salutations to the saint who was the expert who wrote commentary to BHagawad Gita
76. Om Nithya grantha SrI sookthi dhyyinE nama–Salutations to the saint who gave the perennial Sri Sookthi
77. Om SrI SaarIraka MeemAmsa Saasthra mAmsalaaya nama–Salutations to the saint who wrote the Commentry called Sarerika Bhashya to the Brahma suthras
78. Om Godhopanishad nithya parayanaya nama–Salutations to the saint who daily read the GOdopanishad (Thiruppavai of Aandal)
79. Om Sarva Sadhathmagua sampannaya nama–Salutations to the saint who is completely filled with all good qualities
80. Om Madha Maatsaryadhiakila dhuruthma Guna varjithAya nama –Salutations to the saint who has excluded all bad qualities like pride , jealousy etc.
81. Om SrI Saila Poorna krutha SrImad RamanujAbhidhanakaya nama–Salutations to the saint who was called Ramanuja by Sri Saila Poorna(Periya thirumalai nambi)
82. Om Sva-sva-kala-Kesava Somayaji krutha Jaathakriyadhikaya nama: –Salutations to the saint to whom Jatha Karma and other rituals were done by Kesava Somayaji at proper times
83. Om Visva Mangaala Moorthaye nama–Salutations to the saint who was the auspiciousness ogf the worls.
84. Om Thrijagath Punya Phalaya nama–Salutations to the saint who gave blessed results to all the three worlds
85. Om Maha Poornarya krutha thapadhi Samskruthaye nama–Salutations to the saint who was instructed in penance and other aspects by Maha Poorna(Periya Nambi)
86. Om Sathsampradhaya Area nirdharana Swamine nama–Salutations to the saint who determined and established the good traditions
87. Om SrIvatsangamisrena poojitha paadha kamalAya nama–Salutations to the saint whose lotus feet were worshipped by Sri Vathsanga Misra(Also known as Kuresan)
88. Om Daasaratina nithya Sevithaya Nama–Salutations to the saint who was daily served by Dasarathi (Mudaliandan Nambi)
89. Om Kuresa-DaasaratyAdhi CharamArTa prakAsakAya nama–Salutations to the saint who brought to light Charma Slokam to Kuresa, Dasararathi and others.
90. Om Kuresa Pavithra dharine nama–Salutations to the saint who purified Kuresa
91. Om Bhagineya thridhanda-paadhuka bhUshanaya nama–Salutations to the saint who considered his sister’s son Mudali Andan Nambi as a his staff on which he need to lean
92. Om Sarasvathi dhattha SrI HayagrIva AaradhAkaya nama–Salutations to the saint who worshipped the Hayagreva given to him by Goddess Saraswathi
93. Om SrI Rangesa Uthsava Sampradhaya samvardhine nama–Salutations to the saint who systematized the system fdor celebrating festivals to Ranganatha
94. Om SrI RangaEsvara nithyArAdhana krama nirNayithAya nama–Salutations to the saint who laid down the syatem for daily worship of Lord Ranganatha
95. Om Pranatha YaadhavaprakAsa arti vinasakaya nama–Salutations to the saint who destroyed the pain of Yadavaprakasa on his praying to him.
96. Om VibhUdhi dhvaya Naayaka kainkarya rathinE nama–Salutations to the saint who enjoyed the service of the two awakened Nayakas
97. Om Sarva ajnana nirmochana vichakshaNAya nama–Salutations to the saint who was clear sighted to remove all ignorant practices
98. Om Sruthi apArTa vrukshacchEdha kutArakAya nama
99. Om MaalA dharArya gruhItha DhrAvidAmnAya tatthva dhiyE nama–Salutations to the saint who is the light the upheld the principle of Dravida people
100. Om Brahma Raakshasa mOchakAya nama–Salutations to the saint who freed the Brahma Rakshas
101. Om Brahma dhyAna ParAyaNAya nama–Salutations to the saint perused about meditation on Brahman
102. Om SrI Venkatesa vaibhava prakatIkrutha VaibhavAya nama–Salutations to the saint who had the fame of bringing out the greatness of Lord Venkatesa
103. Om Suprathishtitha SrI Govindarajena anugruheethAya nama–Salutations to the saint who was blessed by well consecrated Govindaraja
104. Om Jagath Gurave nama–Salutations to the saint who is the Guru of the earth
105. Om GodhAbhIshta prapoorakaya nama–Salutations to the saint who fulkfilled the desires of Godha
106. Om SrI Vaishnava Saadhu loka sikhamanaye nama–Salutations to the saint who is the head gem among the the vaishnavite saints
107. Om Avyahatha mahath varthmane nama–Salutations to the saint who is the unobstructed great presence
108. Om Moksha-pradha ashtAnga Bhakthi dhiye nama–Salutations to the saint who is the light of devotion of eight parts which leads to salvation

Srimathe RaamAnujAya nama-Salutations to the blessed Ramanuja
SrI Devanatha Maha Purushaya Acharya Raamanujaya Namo nama-Salutations the great man who was lord of devas, Salutation and salutation to the great teacher Ramanuja