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Bhagavad Ramanujacharya Millennium Celebrations, April 25‐30, 2017 Temple, Livermore, CA

Significance of Bhagavad Ramanujacharya

Let’s concede that only a small segment of , say 15%, mostly South Indians, consider Ramanujacharya as their paramacharya. So why is HCCC celebrating his Millennial birthday in such a grand fashion?

Bhagavad Ramanujacharya is one of the most influential philosophers from and one of a handful of reformers of over the millennia. Although he was born in a traditional Tamil family and his early instruction was in Advaita philosophy, he discovered the Alwars (who preceded him, by perhaps, two millennia) and their works and pulled them out of obscurity. Alwars’ are poet‐saints of South India who composed 4000 verses in Tamil, advocating devotional of Maha and Lord Vishnu. This is referred to as Sri . It is a monotheistic that regards Sriman as the creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe. Nevertheless, Maha Lakshmi’s intervention and mercy is necessary for jivatmas, or living , to seek and achieve . Looking back, Bhagavad Ramanujacharya is feted for an abiding to his fellowmen and the following accomplishments: Bhagavad Ramanujacharya Millennium Celebrations, April 25‐30, 2017 Shiva Vishnu Temple, Livermore, CA

 Ramanujacharya resurrected the Sri Vaishnava faith of the Alwars and provided the theological underpinning for it in the form of Vishista Advaita or Qualified philosophy, as propounded in his Magnum Opus, “Sri Bashyam.” travelled the length and breadth of India to propogate the faith and establish acharya‐shishya parampara centers to carry it on for generations.  Through his philosophical works and debates, he successfully challenged , , and Materialism that were widely practiced in India during his time. He is the first thinker to dispute Bhagavad Shankaracharya's Advaita philosophy and offer an alternate interpretation of Upanishadic scriptures.  Alwar worship: Ramanujacharya elevated the compositions of Alwars, called Divya Prabandham in , to be on par with . This is no mean accomplishment, given that, in his time, all religious works, by definition, had to be in Sanskrit. He set worship practices in all 108 Sri Vaishnava Divya Desams and made Alwar worship an integral part of the Sri Vaishanava tradition.

 Played a major role in knocking down widely prevalent caste prejudices during his time:

a) He gave the name of “thirukulathars” (meaning "people of ”) to people who were regarded as untouchables and directed temple authorities to allow them access to temples. b) Celebrated the Alwars even though only four of them were of Brahmin caste. Several were of low caste, including the greatest Alwar of then all, Nammalwar. c) Advocated that merit is earned through spiritual knowledge and practice and not caste affiliation. “Divinity is present in all mankind; Everyone is eligible for Lord Narayana’s grace”. d) Notwithstanding a specific injunction from his to keep the Narayana astAkshari mantra a rahasya or secret, he climbed the Thirukottiyur temple gopuram and broadcasted it to one and all. When confronted by his guru, he explained that the Lord Vishnu is impartial and that the astAkshari mantra should be available to all aspirants. He averred that he is ready to go to hell so long as other seekers may benefit from the astAkshari mantra. e) Young Ramanuja came under the influence of Thirukatchi nambi, a low‐caste Hindu, while serving in Kancheepuram. As a mark of self‐subordination to such a pious man, Ramanuja wanted to eat out of the same banana leaf, after Thirukatchi nambi had finished his meal. Aware that Thirukatchi nambi was of low caste, Ramanuja’s orthodox wife protested. Ramanujacharya gave up grahastashrama, and took up sanyas.

Shiva Vishnu Temple, Livermore, CA will celebrate Bhagavad Ramanuja Millennium from Tuesday, April 25 through Sunday, April 30. All Hindus, regardless of affiliation, are invited. Program highlights are:

 A grand Astakshari Yaagam ‐ Chanting of the Narayana Astakshari Thiru Mantra, made famous by Ramanujacharya, eight lakh times over 5 days. All bhaktas are invited to join the chanting  Alwar Samprokshana – Procuring utsava moorthies of the 12 alwars and performing samprokshana  Divya Prabandha parayanam ‐ Chanting 4000 verses, so dear to Lord Narayana’s heart, over 5 days  Sriman Narayana Vratam Sequence – Worshipping four Vishnu for different worldly goals  Cultural program: Telling the storied lives of Ramanuja and the Alwars through song, music & dance