After the Lord Varadarāja and His consort vanished from sight, Rāmānuja continued to walk through the forest, his heart overflowing with gratitude and devotion. The scent of divine flowers lingered in the air, and the forest itself seemed to sing of the Lord’s mercy.
As he approached the outskirts of Kañcīpuram, the sun was setting, painting the sky with gold and crimson hues. Bells rang from distant temples, and the fragrance of incense drifted through the wind. Exhausted but filled with bliss, Rāmānuja entered the holy city once more, heading straight toward the great temple of Lord Varadarāja.
Upon reaching the temple gates, he fell flat upon the ground, his eyes overflowing with tears. “O my Lord,” he prayed, “You have shown me such mercy. You descended to protect me from danger and guided me back to Your abode. Let my life be spent in serving You and Your devotees.”
That night, after offering obeisances, Rāmānuja fell asleep in the temple courtyard. In his dream, Lord Varadarāja appeared before him, glowing with divine radiance. The Lord said, “My dear Rāmānuja, I have brought you safely back. Now your true work shall begin. Go to the feet of Yamunācārya in Śrī Raṅgam. There you will receive the teachings of bhakti that will transform the world.”
The next morning, filled with divine determination, Rāmānuja went to his teacher Yādavaprakāśa’s house to offer respects. Seeing his disciple alive, Yādavaprakāśa was struck with awe and guilt. The shame of his envy burned in his heart.
“Rāmānuja,” he said softly, “you have returned safely by the grace of the Lord. I see now that you are no ordinary soul. Forgive me, for I was blinded by pride.”
Rāmānuja bowed humbly. “My master,” he replied, “whatever has happened was by the will of the Lord. I hold no ill feeling toward you. May the Lord bless you with peace.”
Overcome by Rāmānuja’s compassion, Yādavaprakāśa embraced him, tears streaming down his face. In that moment, his hardened heart softened, and he began to see the beauty of devotion beyond the cold limits of argument and logic.
In the months that followed, Rāmānuja continued his service at the temple of Lord Varadarāja, where he spent hours decorating the Deity, arranging flowers, and reciting the verses of the Vedas. His humility and devotion drew the attention of everyone in Kañcīpuram. Even the most learned scholars began to revere him, and the common people found peace and joy in his presence.
His fame spread throughout the land, but Rāmānuja remained untouched by pride. He saw himself only as the servant of the servant of the Lord. His mother, Kantimati, rejoiced to see her son’s divine transformation, realizing that he had been chosen by the Lord to spread the light of bhakti to the world.
The time was soon coming when the Lord would send him to Śrī Raṅgam to meet Yamunācārya—the next great step in his divine mission.
Lessons to Be Learned
- The Lord’s plans unfold in perfect time.
Rāmānuja’s return to Kañcīpuram was not just survival—it was the beginning of his true service. Divine destiny always guides those who surrender fully. - Forgiveness purifies both hearts.
By forgiving his envious teacher, Rāmānuja liberated not only himself from resentment but also his teacher from pride. - Service is greater than scholarship.
Rāmānuja’s greatness lay not in his intellect but in his humility and devotion. The Lord chooses such servants to carry His message.
Reflections
This story marks the turning point from trial to triumph in the life of Rāmānuja. Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote that “a devotee’s only strength is his faith in Kṛṣṇa’s protection.” Rāmānuja’s deliverance from danger, his forgiveness toward his teacher, and his rededication to the Lord’s service all exemplify the power of surrender.
We, too, can follow this path—seeing obstacles as invitations to grow, betrayals as opportunities to forgive, and every return to the Lord’s presence as a new beginning. When we serve with pure hearts, even the trials of the forest become steps toward divine destiny.
Source:
The Life of Ramanujacarya by Naimisaranya Dāsa, Chapter Two: “Rāmānuja’s Student Life – Return to Kañcīpuram and the Vision of the Lord.” Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1986.
