As the years passed, Rāmānuja’s influence in Kañcīpuram grew stronger. His teachings of devotion and surrender to the Supreme Lord were transforming hearts everywhere. The simple and the learned alike found peace in his words, and the temple of Lord Varadarāja became a center of living bhakti.
Yet, deep within Rāmānuja’s heart, he felt an unfulfilled calling—the voice of his departed master, Śrī Yamunācārya, still echoing within him: “Come to Śrī Raṅgam and continue my work.”
One night, as Rāmānuja sat before the altar of Lord Varadarāja, absorbed in meditation, a soft radiance filled the sanctum. The voice of the Lord spoke gently, “My beloved Rāmānuja, the time has come for you to go to Śrī Raṅgam. There, before Lord Ranganātha, the current of devotion shall flow again through your hands. My devotee Mahāpūrṇa awaits you. Do not delay.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Rāmānuja bowed down, tears streaming from his eyes. “O my Lord,” he said, “Your command is my life. I shall go wherever You send me. May my words, thoughts, and deeds serve only You.”
The next morning, he gathered his disciples—Kūrattāzhvān, Dāśarathi, and a few others—and announced, “We are leaving for Śrī Raṅgam. The Lord has called us there. His will is our guide.”
Before departing, he went to the temple of Lord Varadarāja for one last darśana. Standing before the Deity, he prayed, “O Varadarāja, You are my witness. Whatever I do from this day forward shall be only for Your pleasure and the deliverance of Your children.”
He then turned to the priests and devotees, blessing them with folded hands. “Remain united in devotion,” he said. “Do not quarrel over rituals or words. The Lord is known by love, not by argument.”
As he began his journey south, crowds gathered along the road to bid him farewell. Women threw flowers, children chanted “Govinda! Govinda!”, and elders bowed in reverence. Rāmānuja walked barefoot, his head bowed, chanting the holy names with every step.
After days of travel through forests and fields, the spires of the great temple of Lord Ranganātha appeared in the distance. The Yamunā and Kāverī rivers flowed like silver threads under the morning sun. Seeing the holy city of Śrī Raṅgam before him, Rāmānuja felt an overwhelming surge of emotion.
At that moment, he remembered his vow before Yamunācārya’s body and whispered, “O master, I have come. The seed of your desire will now bear fruit.”
When he entered the temple, the sight of Lord Ranganātha reclining upon Ananta Śeṣa took his breath away. The Lord’s face glowed with divine beauty, His eyes half-closed in bliss, and a gentle smile curved upon His lips. Falling to the ground, Rāmānuja offered his full prostrated obeisances and prayed, “O Lord of the Universe, grant me the strength to carry out the mission of Your servant Yamunācārya. Let this heart beat only for Your service.”
That day marked the beginning of Rāmānuja’s new life—not merely as a scholar or reformer, but as a world teacher, chosen by the Lord Himself to restore the path of bhakti and open its gates to all souls, regardless of birth or status.
Lessons to Be Learned
- The Lord personally guides His true servants.
Rāmānuja’s move to Śrī Raṅgam was not ambition—it was obedience to divine will. The Lord Himself directs those who surrender fully to Him. - A saint’s journey begins with surrender.
By leaving his comforts in Kañcīpuram, Rāmānuja showed that true service means letting go of security and following faith wherever it leads. - Bhakti unites all souls.
Rāmānuja’s farewell words remind us that love of God transcends rituals and arguments—it is the golden thread that binds every heart to the Divine.
Reflections
Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote that “the Lord’s servant moves according to the divine plan, not personal desire.” In Rāmānuja’s journey to Śrī Raṅgam, we see how surrender opens the path to destiny. The call of the Lord may come quietly—through a dream, a feeling, or the words of a saint—but when it comes, the devotee responds with trust, not hesitation.
For us, the lesson is clear: when the Lord calls, we must move forward, even if it means leaving comfort behind. Every step taken in service becomes sacred ground.
Source:
The Life of Ramanujacarya by Naimisaranya Dāsa, Chapter Five: “The Call to Śrī Raṅgam.” Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1986.
