Kovind unveils golden statue of Ramanujacharya

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Last Updated14/02/2022

The President formally inaugurated the 120-kg statue of Sri Ramanujacharya made of gold as part of the Sriramanuja Sahasrabdi Samaroh, marking the 1,000 years of the birth of the saint poet at Muchintal on Sunday.
Srirama Nagaram, where 108 vaishnavaite shrines have been set up along with the Statue of Equality, is sure to be known as land of devotion and equality which is the corner-stone of our democracy as said by president.

Born in 1017 CE, at Sriperumbudur, India, Ramanujacharya, is revered worldwide as a Vedic philosopher, social reformer and one of the most important exponents of Sri Vaishnava tradition.
In his 120 year life, travelled across Bharat, understanding the way of life of all sections, at the same time,
Although Ramanuja’s contribution to Vedanta thought was highly significant, his influence on the course of Hinduism as a religion has been even greater.
After he became one of the most admired teachers of the era, the word acharya was added to his name.

Ramanuja is considered the most influential thinker of devotional Hinduism.
He spread devotion and discipline in society through his nine works known as Navaratnas.
In his three major commentaries, the Vedartha-Samgraha, the Sribhasya and the Bhagavadgita-bhasya, he provided an intellectual basis for devotional worship.
He gave new insight into southern Indian Vaishnavism and became known as its foremost saint.
Ramanuja formulated a Yoga that taught that the cultivation of bhakti is more important than mediation.
Ramanuja believed and taught his disciples that devotion was not merely the means to liberation but the goal of all spiritual endeavours.
Although Ramanuja’s contribution to Vedanta thought was highly significant, his influence on the course of Hinduism as a religion has been even greater.
By allowing the urge for devotional worship (bhakti) into his doctrine of salvation, he aligned the popular religion with the pursuits of philosophy and gave bhakti an intellectual basis.
This bhakti devotionalism, guided by Ramanuja, made its way into northern India, where its influence on religious thought and practice has been profound.focusing on individual needs.

Ramanuja was an advocate of social equality among all sections of people centuries ago, and encouraged temples to open their doors to everyone irrespective of caste or position in society at a time when people of many castes were forbidden from entering them.
He took education to those who were deprived of it.
His greatest contribution is the propagation of the concept of “vasudhaiva kutumbakam”, which translates as “all the universe is one family”.
He travelled across India for several decades, propagating his ideas of social equality and universal brotherhood from temple podiums.
He embraced the socially marginalised and condemned, and asked royal courts to treat them as equals.
He spoke of universal salvation through devotion to God, compassion, humility, equality, and mutual respect, which is known as Sri Vaishnavam Sampradaya.