As Rāmānuja wandered alone through the dense forest, the sun burned fiercely above him. Days passed without food or rest. Wild sounds echoed from the dark woods—rustling leaves, distant cries, and the rush of unseen rivers. His body grew thin, but his heart was filled with unwavering faith. “O Lord Varadarāja,” he prayed, “You are my only shelter. Please guide me where You wish me to go.”
By evening, he reached the bank of a wide river. Exhausted, he sat beneath a tree and closed his eyes in meditation. When he opened them, he saw a simple tribal couple standing before him—a strong hunter carrying a bow, and his gentle wife holding a pot of water. Their eyes were kind and radiant.
“O holy one,” the woman said softly, “you seem weary and hungry. Please, accept this water and rest for the night in our humble hut nearby.”
Their hospitality seemed so genuine that Rāmānuja felt comfort in their presence. “You are most merciful,” he said. “I accept your shelter.”
The couple led him through the forest to a small clearing where a thatched hut stood. Inside, they gave him water and a few wild fruits. The hunter then spoke humbly, “O brāhmaṇa, the Ganges lies beyond these woods. Tomorrow morning, I will guide you safely to her banks.”
Grateful, Rāmānuja slept soundly that night. At dawn, the hunter woke him gently. “Come, my lord, the path is ready.” They walked for hours through thick forests, crossing streams and thorny bushes. Rāmānuja was astonished that his guides knew every turn and trail.
Finally, they stopped near a wide, glistening river. “Here, holy one,” said the hunter, “is Mother Gaṅgā. Bathe here and purify yourself.”
Rāmānuja folded his hands in reverence, tears in his eyes. “How can I repay your kindness? You have guided me like my own parents.”
The hunter smiled and replied, “It is the duty of every soul to serve the Lord’s devotee.” Then, to Rāmānuja’s astonishment, the couple began to rise into the air. Their forms shone with divine light—they were none other than Lord Varadarāja and His eternal consort, Goddess Perundevi herself.
Overwhelmed, Rāmānuja fell flat on the ground, tears streaming from his eyes. “My Lord! You have personally come to protect this unworthy servant. How can I ever describe Your mercy?”
The divine Lord spoke gently, “My dear Rāmānuja, I am always with you. Your life’s mission is to awaken devotion in all hearts. Fear nothing. Return to Kañcīpuram and continue your service.”
With those words, the Lord and His consort vanished into a brilliant light, leaving the forest calm and fragrant. The river that had appeared before Rāmānuja soon faded away, revealing that he was again standing near the outskirts of Kañcīpuram. He realized that by the Lord’s will, he had been carried home through divine illusion.
Falling to the ground, he offered prayers of gratitude. “O Lord Varadarāja, I am Yours eternally. May my every breath be used in Your service.”
Lessons to Be Learned
- The Lord personally protects His devotees.
When the devotee surrenders completely, the Lord Himself arranges every circumstance—even appearing in disguise to guide and guard His servant. - True service attracts divine mercy.
Rāmānuja’s humility and devotion invited the Lord’s personal intervention. The Lord reveals Himself to those who serve without pride or expectation. - Faith turns fear into divine experience.
Alone and in danger, Rāmānuja depended only on God—and found that the Lord was closer than he had ever imagined.
Reflections
Śrīla Prabhupāda often said that the Lord’s devotee never walks alone; the Supreme always protects those who serve Him with sincerity. In this story, the hunter couple represent the mysterious ways in which God accompanies the soul through life’s wilderness.
Rāmānuja’s rescue reminds us that when we surrender our path to the Lord, even confusion becomes direction, and danger becomes grace. The Lord may appear in unexpected forms—a friend, a stranger, or a test—to remind us that love, not logic, leads us home.
Let us learn to walk through our own forests of uncertainty with the same trust, knowing that the Lord’s unseen hand always guides the heart of His devotee.
Source:
The Life of Ramanujacarya by Naimisaranya Dāsa, Chapter Two: “Rāmānuja’s Student Life – The Hunter Couple.” Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1986.
