Some time later, Yādavaprakāśa decided to make a pilgrimage to the sacred river Ganges. He announced to his disciples, “I will lead you all to the North to bathe in the holy waters of Gaṅgā. Such a journey purifies sins and deepens our understanding of the scriptures.”
Among the students was Rāmānuja, eager to serve his teacher and to see the sacred places glorified in the Vedas. His mother, Kantimati, however, was anxious. “My son,” she said, “the journey is long and dangerous. You are still young. How will you endure the hardships?”
But Rāmānuja bowed and said, “Mother, to serve my guru and bathe in the holy Gaṅgā is the greatest fortune. The Lord Himself will protect me.” With a heavy heart, she blessed him and watched him depart with the group of scholars and disciples.
As they traveled through forests and villages, the company of pilgrims chanted Vedic hymns and offered prayers along the way. Rāmānuja served his teacher with love and humility—fetching water, gathering firewood, and preparing meals for the group. All the other disciples admired his devotion and simplicity.
But within Yādavaprakāśa, envy grew deeper. His pride as a scholar was wounded by the silent brilliance of his student. Every time Rāmānuja explained a verse or offered an insight, the teacher felt overshadowed. The other disciples, inspired by Rāmānuja’s purity, began to honor him more than their master.
At last, Yādavaprakāśa’s envy turned to fear. He began to think, This boy will eclipse my fame. If he lives, I shall lose all honor. His heart, clouded by jealousy, gave rise to a terrible idea.
One evening, as they camped by a forest stream, he secretly gathered a few loyal disciples and whispered, “During our next stop, we shall take the path through the dense jungle. There, when no one is near, we will push Rāmānuja into the river. The current is strong and deep—no one will ever find him.”
The conspirators agreed in silence. But one among them, a student named Govinda, who loved Rāmānuja dearly, was horrified. Late that night, when all were asleep, he quietly approached Rāmānuja and whispered, “Brother, you must flee at once! The guru intends to take your life tomorrow. Please, go before dawn!”
Rāmānuja, shocked and pained, asked, “What wrong have I done that my teacher should wish to kill me?”
Govinda replied, “You have done no wrong, but your wisdom has provoked his pride. Please, leave now—your life is precious. The Lord has great plans for you.”
Hearing this, Rāmānuja’s eyes filled with tears—not of fear, but of compassion. “May the Lord forgive him,” he said softly. “I hold no anger in my heart.”
Before dawn, he quietly offered obeisances to his sleeping teacher and departed into the forest, guided only by faith in the Lord’s protection. For many days, he wandered through unfamiliar paths, suffering hunger and exhaustion. But the Lord of Kañcī, Varadarāja, unseen yet ever watchful, guided His devotee home.
When Rāmānuja finally reached Kañcīpuram, his mother wept with relief. “The Lord has saved you!” she cried. And Rāmānuja, falling at the feet of Lord Varadarāja, prayed, “O my Lord, I am Yours alone. Let me live and die in Your service.”
From that day, his heart turned completely toward the path of bhakti. The false glare of impersonal philosophy lost all attraction for him. He had seen how pride can poison even knowledge, and he vowed to dedicate his life to the Lord’s loving service and the upliftment of all souls.
Lessons to Be Learned
- Envy is the greatest enemy of wisdom.
Yādavaprakāśa’s jealousy destroyed the peace of his heart and nearly cost an innocent life. True knowledge purifies the heart, but pride turns it dark. - The Lord protects His devotee.
Though alone and helpless, Rāmānuja was never abandoned. The unseen hand of Varadarāja guided him safely home. - Forgiveness is the mark of a saint.
Rāmānuja bore no resentment toward his teacher. His compassion was greater than his fear—a sign of divine consciousness.
Reflections
This episode reveals that the path of spiritual growth is not free from obstacles; it is often tested by betrayal, jealousy, and danger. Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote that “a devotee sees even adversity as the Lord’s mercy.” Rāmānuja’s escape was not just a rescue—it was his purification. Through danger, his dependence on the Lord became absolute.
In our own lives, envy and pride are the true enemies, more harmful than any external danger. The story of Rāmānuja’s journey reminds us that the Lord’s protection is not always visible, but it is always present. When the world seems against us, faith and forgiveness become our armor.
Source:
The Life of Ramanujacarya by Naimisaranya Dāsa, Chapter Two: “Rāmānuja’s Student Life – The Journey to the Ganges.” Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1986.
