Ramanujan, the equality crusader

Ramanujan is held to be the reincarnation of Adi Sesha, the celestial serpent, closest to Vishnu at all times. He was born as Ramanujan, after Vishnu sent him to earth to establish equality, piety and dharma. Many saints and preceptors may have come before him, but there has been none who came after him and bettered his contribution. 

He is the pontiff who established 74 simhasana adhipathies in the country, all of which continue to function as per the guidelines laid down by him. Not only was he the greatest of preceptors, but also an excellent administrator—a very rare combination. He charted the work flow of a temple’s administration in a holistic manner. From the priest to the man who plays the mridangam, to the flower seller, everyone’s role in the running of the temple was factored in. To this day, the Vaishnavite temples adhere to his vision. 

His unparalleled contribution to humanity is the creation of Thirukulathar. When he discovered that certain categories of people were barred from entering the temple, he bunched them all together as Thirukulathar and admitted them into the folds of the temple. 

In those days, gurus held the key to understanding God and the ways of attaining Him. Sishyas learnt from them and spread the word. Ramanujan’s first guru was Thirumalai Nambi, followed by Alavandhar, Periya Nambi and Thirukoshtiyur Nambi. The ways of attaining Him were closely guarded and administered only to a select few. When his guru Thiorukoshtiyur Nambi administered the secret mantra to reach God, and forbade him from share it with anyone, as it could consign him to hell, Ramanujan went to the terrace of the Thorukoshtioyur temple in Karaikudi and shouted out the mantra, Om Namo Narayanya. 

He also asked everyone, from the potters and flower sellers and others on the street to chant the mantra. This is the recorded history of a great preceptor breaking all barriers to spread the message of God. “It is alright if I go to hell, if thousands more can get to heaven,” Ramanujan informed his guru. 

Ramanujan embraced sanyasam at 32 years. A year later, he was conferred the title of Udaiyavar at the Srirangam temple. Legend has it that, upon hearing news of his arrival in Srirangam, Namperumal (Utsava deity) escorted him to the sanctum sanctorum of the Moolavar—a rare honour when God receives a devotee—after which, the title was conferred upon Ramanujan. 

When he was 84 years, Ramanujan undertook a trip to Delhi to retrieve the idol taken from Melkote by invaders from the North. When he sought the return of the idol, the ruler, aware that his daughter played with the idol everyday and treasured it dearly, told Ramanujan to call the idol to come to him. “There are thousands of idols lying in the palace”, he added, for good measure. On nearing the quarters, Ramanujan loudly said, Chella pil lai, va, va ennidam va (dear boy, come to me). The idol walked to Ramanujan, much to the surprise of the ruler. 

Ramanujan started on his return journey immediately, with the idol in his possession. The princess, upon hearing the news, rode after him. She caught up with the cavalcade and demanded that he return the idol. Moved by her plight, Ramanujan asked her to journey with them. Half- way through the journey, he realised she was God’s consort. He restored the idol of Chella Pillai, along with the newly created idol of Bibi Nachchiyar at Melkote, also known as Thirunarayanapuram in Karnataka. 

Upon turning 120, Ramanujan beseeched Lord Ranganatha to grant him moksha. However, Rangannatha wanted him to stay in Srirangam till the end of Kali Yugam. It is strongly believed that Ramanujan remains as thanana thirumeni at the Vasantha Mandapam in Ranganatha temple in Srirangam, even today.