IMPACT OF SRI RAMANUJACHARYA ON TEMPLE WORSHIP

IMPACT OF SRI RAMANUJACHARYA ON TEMPLE WORSHIP
Product Code: ISBN 81-7081-288-7
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The Bhakti movement emerging in the 6th century India, challenged the xisting Vedic religion and Brahmins led it by giving more importance to Bhakti than to knlwledge which was domian of a select few. The idea was to realize a direct relationship with God. This thought remains enshrined in the sacred 'for thousand' of the Alvars. The ighly theistic movement finally found a temple centered expression.

Ramanuja after succeeding to his ponitifical seat in Srirangam, laid down monumental reforms in temple administration. After his return from Mysore, he set out to propagate Srivaisnavism. His magnum opus, the Sribhashya gave birth to many commnetaries and glosses, which comprise almost half of the entire body of work pertaining to the system. Although his writings indicate a shade of Brahminical exclusiveness, Ramanuja introduced liberal practices. The lower varnas were given great opportunities, which fostered the democritization of Vashnavism- without compromising on Vedic Puritanism. he organised the existing temples and arranged for the worship of the deity mainly according to the Pancarata Agama. he also incorporated the hymns of Alvars, giving these songs a status at par with the Vedas.

Being conscious of the limitations of Bhakti-yoga or complete submission to God, he achieved a perfect synthesis of gyaan of the scriptures and the Bhakti of Alvars. His philosophy and teachings were a direct response to the needs of the times. Ramanuja made temple a a center of learning as well as worship giving importance to arcavatara. He was responsible of the hectic temple building activity, subsequently. By way of munificent donations, the temple became rich and its income was diverted to promote agriculture and trade. Slowly, the temple evolved into a socio-religious center. The Brahmins were greater beneficiries, as they were the custodians of Vedic traditions. Although, after Ramanuja's time, a violent sectarian splittore the srivaisanavas into two sects, the essential principles remain immutable and to this day, Srivaisnavism performs its role in stabilizing the society.   

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