After the divine passing of Yamunācārya, Rāmānuja returned to Kañcīpuram deeply transformed. The sacred encounter with his departed ācārya had left a permanent mark on his heart. His life now had a clear purpose—to dedicate himself completely to the service of Lord Nārāyaṇa and to fulfill the three vows he had made before the saint’s body.
One morning, as he was engaged in service at the temple of Lord Varadarāja, a group of pilgrims arrived from Śrī Raṅgam. Among them was a venerable Vaiṣṇava named Mahāpūrṇa, a direct disciple of Yamunācārya. His demeanor was serene, his eyes full of compassion, and his speech soaked with the nectar of devotion.
After offering obeisances to Lord Varadarāja, Mahāpūrṇa noticed a young brāhmaṇa performing temple service with extraordinary humility and grace. His heart recognized immediately that this was the very soul Yamunācārya had long awaited.
Approaching him, Mahāpūrṇa said gently, “Are you Rāmānuja, the learned disciple of Yādavaprakāśa?”
Rāmānuja, bowing respectfully, replied, “Yes, I am he. But who are you, noble sir, whose presence fills this temple with peace?”
Mahāpūrṇa smiled. “I am Mahāpūrṇa, servant of Śrī Yamunācārya. Before departing this world, our master spoke often of a brilliant soul who would fulfill his mission. When I see you, I know that person is you.”
Hearing the name of Yamunācārya, Rāmānuja’s eyes filled with tears. He clasped Mahāpūrṇa’s feet and said, “Alas! I could not receive the darśana of that great saint before he departed. Yet I have made three vows at his feet—to establish devotion to Lord Nārāyaṇa, to honor Parāśara Muni’s teachings, and to spread the Lord’s mercy to all. Please teach me how I may serve his mission.”
Mahāpūrṇa lifted him with affection. “Your humility alone is proof that you are chosen by the Lord. I shall teach you all that our master entrusted to me—the truths of the Vedas, the meanings of the Upaniṣads, and the essence of surrender to the Supreme.”
For several months, Rāmānuja sat at the feet of Mahāpūrṇa, receiving instructions on the Ālvar saints, the principles of bhakti, and the mysteries of the Lord’s divine form. Their conversations were soaked with sweetness, as if each word came from the lips of Yamunācārya himself.
One evening, after hearing the Tiruvāymoḻi—the devotional hymns of Nammāḻvār—Rāmānuja’s heart melted completely. He fell at Mahāpūrṇa’s feet and said, “I have studied all the scriptures and learned all the philosophies, but only now have I understood that love of God is the highest truth.”
Mahāpūrṇa blessed him, saying, “May your life become a river of devotion that flows through the hearts of all living beings.”
From that day, Rāmānuja’s life took a new turn. His scholarship became service, his words became prayers, and his mission became clear: to awaken the sleeping souls of Kali-yuga with the message of surrender to the Lord’s lotus feet.
Lessons to Be Learned
- The true teacher appears when the disciple is ready.
Rāmānuja’s meeting with Mahāpūrṇa was divinely arranged. When the heart is ripe with sincerity, the Lord sends His representative to guide the soul forward. - Knowledge becomes wisdom through love.
Though Rāmānuja already knew the scriptures, through Mahāpūrṇa he realized their inner meaning—devotion and surrender. - A saint’s mercy flows through his disciples.
Yamunācārya’s spirit continued to act through Mahāpūrṇa, proving that spiritual inheritance is carried by love, not lineage.
Reflections
Śrīla Prabhupāda taught that “the disciple must approach the spiritual master with humility, inquiry, and service.” In this story, we see how Rāmānuja’s humility attracted Mahāpūrṇa’s mercy and opened the doors of realization.
The meeting between them symbolizes the sacred transmission of living truth—how divine love is handed down from heart to heart, not merely from book to book. When a sincere seeker meets a pure devotee, the scriptures come alive, and life itself becomes an offering to God.
Let us also seek the company of such souls—those who, like Mahāpūrṇa, remind us that the essence of all learning is love and surrender.
Source:
The Life of Ramanujacarya by Naimisaranya Dāsa, Chapter Three: “Meeting with Mahāpūrṇa.” Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1986.
