Among the many souls who found refuge in Rāmānuja’s compassion was a man named Dhanurdāsa—a proud, handsome wrestler from Śrī Raṅgam, known for his immense strength and deep attachment to worldly pleasures. Though powerful and admired, his life was ruled by vanity and sensuality, especially his infatuation with his beautiful wife, Hemāmbhā.
One day, while walking through the streets of Śrī Raṅgam, Rāmānuja saw Dhanurdāsa following his wife, shading her face from the sun with a cloth so that its rays would not dull her beauty. The sight saddened Rāmānuja, not with contempt but with compassion. He thought, If this man can show such devotion to a mortal form, how much more glorious his heart would become if turned toward the eternal beauty of the Lord!
Approaching him kindly, Rāmānuja said, “My son, you are truly loyal to your beloved. But tell me—have you ever seen a face more beautiful than hers?”
Dhanurdāsa, slightly startled by the question, replied, “Never, holy sir. Her beauty outshines all others. Even the moon hides in shame beside her face.”
Rāmānuja smiled gently. “Would you like to see a face more radiant than hers—a beauty that never fades, a perfection that shines beyond the sun and moon?”
Intrigued, Dhanurdāsa said, “If such a beauty exists, show me, and I will believe you.”
Rāmānuja took him to the temple of Lord Ranganātha. The moment the curtain before the Deity was drawn, the golden glow of the Lord’s form filled the hall. The Lord reclined upon Ananta Śeṣa, His eyes half-closed in mercy, His smile radiant with compassion.
The sight struck Dhanurdāsa like lightning. He fell to the ground, tears streaming from his eyes. “This beauty!” he cried. “It pierces my heart! My eyes have seen perfection—there is none like You, O Lord!”
Rāmānuja placed his hand upon the young man’s shoulder. “Now you understand, my son. The beauty of this world fades, but the beauty of the Lord is eternal. Offer your strength, your life, and your love to Him, and you shall know true joy.”
From that day forward, Dhanurdāsa became Rāmānuja’s devoted follower. He gave up his pride, his wealth, and his worldly habits, and dedicated his life to serving the Vaiṣṇavas. His wife Hemāmbhā, inspired by his transformation, also became a saintly devotee, known for her deep humility and unwavering faith.
Together, they served the devotees of Śrī Raṅgam, cleaning the temple floors, carrying water, and offering food to pilgrims. Their love, once centered on each other, now bloomed into a shared love for the Lord.
Years later, Rāmānuja said to his disciples, “Dhanurdāsa was once bound by illusion, but now he is bound by love. This is the true victory of devotion—to turn the heart from temporary affection to eternal service.”
Lessons to Be Learned
- Divine beauty awakens divine love.
When the soul glimpses the Lord’s eternal beauty, material attraction fades. The eyes of devotion see what the eyes of desire cannot. - Compassion, not condemnation, transforms hearts.
Rāmānuja did not judge Dhanurdāsa but redirected his love toward the Lord, showing that true preaching begins with kindness. - Love purified becomes service.
Dhanurdāsa’s worldly love became spiritual through surrender. In bhakti, even attachment can be turned into devotion.
Reflections
Śrīla Prabhupāda once said, “Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to redirect our love from matter to Kṛṣṇa.” This story is a perfect illustration. Rāmānuja did not destroy Dhanurdāsa’s love—he transformed it.
In our own hearts, worldly attachments often bind us, but devotion transforms those same emotions into steps toward liberation. The love that binds us to illusion can, through the grace of a saint, bind us to God.
May we, like Dhanurdāsa, allow the beauty of the Lord to conquer our hearts, replacing fleeting fascination with eternal love.
Source:
The Life of Ramanujacarya by Naimisaranya Dāsa, Chapter Eight: “The Conversion of Dhanurdāsa.” Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1986.
