ANSWER : Ans (3)

ANSWER : "Ans (2)
Lord Varadara:ja: of Kanchipuram bestows the title Yathira:ja to swami Ra:ma:nuja"

ANSWER : Sriperumbu:du:r

ANSWER : Ans (1)

ANSWER : Thirunarayanapuram / Me:lkote

ANSWER : Sri Perumbu:du:r (Adi Kesava Perumal Temple)

ANSWER : Sri Perumbudur

ANSWER : Melkote

ANSWER : Jumbled word - related to Swami Ramanuja

Anantazhvan
Kongil Piratti
Dhanurdasa
Dasarathi
Kuresa
Embar

ANSWER : Unjumble (Acharyas of Swami Ramanuja)

Mahapurna
Srisailapurna
Goshtipurna
Maaladara
Thiruarangaperumal Araiyar

ANSWER : Unjumble (Sishyas of Swami Ramanuja)

Kurataazhvaan
Anantaazhvaan
Mudaliyaandaan
Embaar
Vaduga Nambi

ANSWER : Arula:lap perumal emperumanarn / De:varaja muni / De:varat

ANSWER : Kida:mbi a:cha:n

ANSWER : Periya Thirumalai Nambi (Sri Saila Purna)

ANSWER : Thiruma:lai a:nda:n (Ma:ladara)

ANSWER : Hearing Ramanuja's selfless act for the greater good Go:shtipu:rNa hugged Swami Ramanuja and addressed him by the name Emperuma:na:r (the one who lords over me)

ANSWER : Ans (1,2)

ANSWER : Ans (2,3)

ANSWER : Ans (2)

ANSWER : Kuresa and Dasarathi (Ku:rathazhva:n and Mudaliya:nda:n)

ANSWER : 18 times

ANSWER : Thiruko:shtiyu:r/Go:shtipuram

ANSWER : Go:shtipu:rNa / Thirukos:shtiyur nambi

ANSWER : True

ANSWER : Ans (1,2,3)

ANSWER : Udaiyavar

ANSWER : Lord Varadaraja, Kanchipuram

ANSWER : Ans (1)

ANSWER : Swami Ramanuja considered Da:sarati / Mudalia:nda:n as Tridandam (Triple staff) and Ku:re:sa (ku:rata:zhva:n) as his pavithram (pennant - the cloth on top of his staff)

ANSWER : Ans (1, 2,3)

ANSWER : Ans (2)

ANSWER : Lord Varadaraja called him Swami Ramanuja

ANSWER : Madhurantakam

ANSWER : Sri Maha Pu:rna swami (Periya Nambi)

ANSWER : Swami Mahapu:rNa (Periya Nambi)

ANSWER : Match the 6 words & meaning - from Lord Varadaraja to Swami Ramanuja's questions conveyed through Thirukacchi nambi

1) aham eva paratattvam (d) I am the supreme truth
2) Darshana bheda eva cha (c) Ji:va:tma and parama:tma are different entitites
3) upa:ye:su prapatti sya:t (e) Prapatti (Surrender ) (to Me) is the means (to liberation)
4) antima smriti varjanam (f) Thought of me at death bed is not required
5) dEha:vasa:ne: muktisya:t (a) Release from bondage happens (liberation) immediately after the death of the body
6) pu:rna:cha:rya sam:shraya (b) Choose Mahapurna as your acharya

ANSWER : Thiruk-kacchi nambi

ANSWER : Ans (3)

ANSWER : Ans (2). The Bramhara:kshas refused to listen to Yadavaprakasha and that he will leave only if Ramanuja placed his feet on his head.

ANSWER : "What are the three wishes of Swami Alavandar that needed to be completed. Fill int he blanks appropriately
(1) To write the commentary of Bramha Sutras by Veda Vyasa according to Bodhyayana Vritta
(2) To propogate the divine works of Azhva:rs (Nammazhvar in specific but Ramanuja spread the works of all Azhvars)
(3) To preserve/commemorate the memory fo two great sages Veda Vyasa & Parasara"

ANSWER : No. (By the time he reaches SirRangam, Swami Alavandar attains the lotus feet of his acha:ryan)

ANSWER : Srirangam

ANSWER : Lord Varadaraja and Perundevi tha:ya:r

ANSWER : Ans (2)

ANSWER : This verse from Chandogya Upanishad "... kapyasam pundarikamevamakshini ..." - Ramanuja explained to Yadavaprakasha that the Lords eyes resembles that (of the petals )of a lotus flower

ANSWER : Thirupputkuzhi (a few kms from Kanchipuram)

ANSWER : Ya:davaprakAsha:

ANSWER : Ilaiya:zhva:r (Other name for Lakshmana )

ANSWER : 1017 AD (Chithra month A:rdra - star)

ANSWER : Sri Perumbudu:r

ANSWER : Tirumala temple. Lord Venkate:swara treats Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja as his a:charya since he got Sankhu and Chakram (conch and discus) from Ra:ma:nuja:cha:rya. The statue will be at a slightly elevated position when compared to main deity - the fee to A:charya Ra:ma:nuja will be in line with the heart level of main deity.

Note : Jai Sriman Narayana

Jewel of the day

At the time when Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja visited Tirumala, there were confusions among the local people about the deity that is there in the temple. Some people believed that the deity was Siva, some thought skanda, some thought shakti, some thought Vishnu, etc. Ra:ma:nuja:charya proved the existence of this temple from ancient texts references. When he was challenged why the deity is not having conch and discus, he showed the references from recent history of Swami giving them off to Tondama:n King. When the people were still not convinced, he said we can leave the choice of revealing the correct form to the deity himself and proposed that they leave the symbols / a:yudhams of all deities before the main deity and let the God himself choose what he wants to take by tomorrow morning. When the doors were opened next morning, Lord was seen decorated with the conch and discus. Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja thus firmly established that the deity is Srimannarayana's form of Lord Venkateswara.

ANSWER : Works on Swami Ramanuja

Bhashyakara Mangalam
Ramanuja Chatusshloki
Yathiraja Sapthathi
Thiruppavai Jeeyar
Yathiraja Vimshathi
Ramanuja Nutrandhadhi

ANSWER : Dhanurdasa aka Pillai Urangavalli dasar. Dhanurdasa,a gymnast was a slave to his lovers eyes Kanakamba but when Swami Ramanuja showed him the beautiful lotus eyes of Lord Ranganatha he became mesmerised and stood rooted. From then on Dhanurdasa became a dasa of Swami Ramanuja . He also married Kanakamba who also willingly became a disciple of Swami Ramanuja.

ANSWER : Works written by Swami Ramanuja
Vedartha Sangraha
Vedanta Sara
Sri Bhashya
Vedanta Deepa
Gita Bhashya

ANSWER : Swami Ramanuja is referred to as the elder brother of the Azhvar Godha devi or Andal. Godha devi in a verse of her composition talks of presenting 100 pots of sweet rice and 100 pots of butter to Lord Sundar Raja of Thirumaliruncholai Andal after she sings the Nachiyar Thirumozhi verses attains paramapada and Swami Ramanuja fufills her wishes. Hence hes fondly referred to as her elder brother.

ANSWER : The Naalayira Divya Prabhandam (4000 divine verses) composed by the Azhvars are referred to as Tamil Vedas. They are referred to as the VEdas as all of these talk about Supreme Being directly and lucidly and how one can reach Him. This is stated in Acharya Hrudayam, a Manipravalam work written by Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Nayanar.

ANSWER : The first divine vigraha (idol) of Swami Ramanuja was gifted by Swami Nammazhvar himself to Sri Nathamunuigal after teaching him the treasure of Naalayira Divya Prabhandam. This was then passed onto Yaamunachaarya who then identified Swami Ramanuja as Bhavishyat Acharya (the acharya of future). Its currently worshipped in ThirukOshtiyur (or Goshtipuram)

ANSWER : Match the following (divine vigrahas of Swami Ramanuja and the temples where they are worshipped)
Thaan Unarthiya thirumeni (Divine vigraha that showed Swami Ramanuja is the Future Acharya) Thirukoshtiyur
Thamar Uganda Thirumeni (Divine vigraha adored by his holy devotees) Melkote
Thaan Uganda Thirumeni (Divine vigraha that swami himself embraced and gave his powers) SriPerumbudur
Thaanana thirumeni (Divine vigraha that preserves his earthly body) SriRangam

Note : Jai Sriman Narayana

1.The Divine vigraha that is adored by his devotees (Thamar Uganda Thirumeni ) - The people of Melkote became very sad when Swami Ramanuja decided to go back to SriRangam. So he asked to create a bronze statue of him and said he would bless them everyday through this thirumeni (divine body)

2. Divine vigraha that Swami embraced and gave his powers loved( Thaan Uganda Thirumeni ) - (Sri Perumbudur ) Just a few days before leaving the mortal coil in earth, Swami Ramanuja's disciple Kandadai Annan (Son of Mudaliandan swami) got a vigraham of Swami made and presented it to Swami Ramanuja. Swami Ramanuja embraced the vigraham and passed his powers to the same. He then asked it to be installed in Sri Perumbudur his birth place.

3. The divine body that preserves his earthly body(Thaan Aana Thiurmeni ) - (SriRangam) Swami Ramanuja's was the only personage whose mortal remains were interred within the great temple precincts. The main deity of Swami Ramanuja is on top of his relics and hence its stated as the divine body of swami himself.

Our next question will be on the one we have not explained here.

ANSWER : 18 times (such is the greatness and depth of Ramayana)
Srisailapurna of Tirumala

ANSWER : Swami Ramanuja created 20 categories of service at the temple. He saw that all sections of the society were not invovled in the service of the Lord. He wanted to establish equality from this temple. 10 out of the 20 categories of service was given to people who were not previously included. This way Swami Ramanuja created systems for promoting equality among people in service to God.

ANSWER : Brahma Su:tras (written by Ve:da Vyasa)

ANSWER : Ya:davapraka:sar. Later known as Govinda Jeeyar

Note : Did you know ? Yadavaprakasar became Ramanujas sishya on the instructions of his own mother. He wrote a book called yathi dharma samuchaya which is about the code of conduct for sanyasis

ANSWER : Lord Ranganatha bestows the name Udaiyavar to Swami Ramanuja when he moves to Srirangam from Kanchipuram. The Lord grants him all the riches of His Kingdom on earth and upper regions to Ramanuja and his followers and calls him Udaiyavar. Udaiyavar means the one who owns everything.

Note : Swami Ramanuja moves from Kanchipuram to Srirangam after Lord Varadaraja asks him to moce. When Swami Ramanuja prostrates before Lord Ranganatha and sings Thirup pallandu and verses composed by Yamunacharya, the Lord is enchanted and was pleased to place His foot on Ramanujas head. And Lord Ranga says that "from now on all the riches of our Kingdom here and Upper regions are given to you and your followers. I confer the title Udaiyavar on you. " Lord Ranga also asks him to take charge of the temple here and appoints Swami Ramanuja as the trustee and guardian and asked him to manage all the temple affairs.

ANSWER : Lord Varadara:ja: of Kanchipuram bestows the title Yathiraja to swami Ramanuja

Note : Tiruvaranga perumal Araiyar from Srirangam comes to Kanchipuram to request Lord Varadaraja to send Swami Ramanuja to Srirangam on behest of Lord Ranganatha. He pleases Lord Varada by singing the Azhvar verses and dancing tp the same. Being pleased with the Araiyar Lord Varadaraja asks him to ask for any boon except for Himself and hos consorts. Thus the Araiyar requests that Ramanuja move to Srirangam. Lord Varadaraja becomes sad but could not take back his word and says " Ok We will grant you Ramanuja. Take him. And we give him the tile Yathiraja, the king of saints.

ANSWER : Emperumanar Darshanam (The vision/Philosophy of Ramanuja)

ANSWER : Swa:mi Mudali a:Nda:n or Da:sarathi simply called Anda:n is referred to as Swami Ramanujas paaduka. Swami Ra:manuja refers to Anda:n as his tridandam (triple staff) and hence always accompanies him wherever he goes. Please refer to notes for more information

Note : Swami Ramanuja was very attached to Swami Mudaliandan which was told by Ramanuja himself many times. One day, while on his way to the river, Swami Ramanuja was asked why, when he donned the robes of a Sannyaasin (a Pontiff) he did not give up Dasarathi, as that order demanded that all kith and kin should be renounced. To this Ramanuja replied that Dasarathi was an exception as he was his triplestaff (tridandam) and added “Just as a Pontiff cannot do without his triplestaff, I cannot do without Andaan”. Thus Andaan is referred to as a Triplestaff which is always found with a pontiff.

ANSWER : Ramanujacharya revealed the Tirumantra, the bestower of eternal bliss that he learnt from Swami Goshti Purna widely to the public. He did this inspite of the consequence of going to hell because of violating the vow he made to his acharya to keep this highly guarded secret to himself. To a seething Swami Goshtipurna he replies that he understands disobedience deserves hell. But if one sinner going to hell results in salvation of many he is prepared for that fate. Swami Goshtipurna is spellbound on hearing this and his heart melts and hugs Ramanujacharya addresses him as EMPERUMANARE meaning my Great Lord. Please refer to notes for more information.

Note : Jai Sriman Narayana

Swami learnt the Tirumantra from Sri Goshti Purna. This mantra is the bestower of eternal bliss and is the granter of every boon and promoter of devotion and dispassion. It was a highly guarded secret and it took 18 visits to Sri Goshti Purna before Swami Ramanuja could learn it. Learning the secret Ramanuja felt rejuvenated and saved . Compassion for all men burned in his heart and though the mantra was a highly guarded secret he decided to reveal the secret for everyone to receive its saving power regardless of consequences. He had learnt from Sri Goshti Purna under the vow of secrecy and breaking of it meant naraka or hell for Ramanuja. When Swami Ramanuja called the public and revealed the secret in public a seething Goshti Purna confronted him and reminded him of the consequences. Swami Ramanuja replied that it is but one little sacrifice of a sinner to go to naraka for revealing it when it will bring salvation to many others. Swami also added that the merits of the wholesale salvation goes to Swami Goshti Purna as he’s the one who taught Ramanuja. Compassion for mankind prompted him to do this and that he was ready to accept any form of punishment from his teacher Goshti Purna. Sri Goshti Purna heart melts on hearing this reasoning and was deeply moved and spell bound. Ramanujacharya does a sashtanga namaskaram. Goshtipurna hugs Swami Ramanuja ""Oh Ramanuja! I did not have the courage to understand this deep. This is what my Acharya Yamunacharya must have meant when he said that there will be a great mentor to the world in the future. You are that Bhavishyad Acharya! "" And then hails him as EMPERUMANAARE - meaning my great Lord. Indeed Swami Ramanuja is the greatest achaarya who has only the good of all people in his mind always and does not think about himself or the consequences he needs to face. Let’s imagine a 1000 years back where things were more conservative and Swami Ramanuja courageously took the right decision for the good of mankind. Lets follow his teachings and pray to him for his blessings.

ANSWER : emperuma:na:r - My great Lord
Yatira:ja - king of all the saints
Bhashyaka:rar - Creator of the commentary after interpretation of Brahma Sutras

ANSWER : Bhagavad Sri Ra:ma:nuja's birth details
Place of birth = Sri Perumbudur Year (number) = 1017 AD Year (name) = Pingala Na:ma Samvatsaram Month = Chittirai Paksham (Moon phase) = Sukla (Waxing phase) Nakshatram = A:rdra

Note : This is the 1001th birth year of Swami Ramanuja and we have his thiru nakshattiram falling on April 21st, 2018. Let us all pray to Swami Ramanuja to guide us to follow the right path in life and attain eternal bliss.

ANSWER : Bhagavad Sri Ra:ma:nuja is considered as the avatara of Adi Se:sha, the giant serpent on which Lord Narayana reclines

Note : Jai Sriman Narayana

Srimanna:ra:yana reclines on the giant serpent Adi Se:sha in milky ocean. True to his name, ""Sesha"" modifies himself as per the need of his ""Seshi"" / master, Srimannarayana. When the lord reclines, he becomes bed; when the lord sits, he becomes a:sana; when He chooses to walk, Se:sha gives shelter as umbrella; when the Lord stands, he manifests himself as footstool. He teaches us how we should be useful to God in whatever way He deems fit - ""yathe:shta viniyo:ga:rham"". He was born to sage Kashyapa and Kadruva. It is as if he just cannot exist without his lord. When Lord came down as Ra:ma, he came as Lakshmana and shadowed him throughout his life right from the days of cradle - 'ba:lya:t prabhruti susnigdhaH"". Similarly, in Krishna Avata:ra, he came down as Balara:ma. In Kaliyuga, he came down as Bhagavad Ramanuja to establish the supremacy of vedic teachings.