Telangana: Ramanujacharya's 216-Foot Tall 'Statue of Equality' To Be Unveiled; Know About His Teachings

On the occassion of 1000th birth anniversary of Ramanujacharya, a 216-foot tall 'Statue of Equality' to be unveiled by PM Modi in Hyderabad on Saturday

Sri Ramanujacharya Statue(Image:ABP Desam)

Hyderabad: On the occassion of 1000th birth anniversary of Ramanujacharya, a 216-foot tall 'Statue of Equality' to be unveiled by PM Modi in Hyderabad on Saturday (February 5). In this context, a Maha Yajna was started on Wednesday aiming at world peace and equality.

Ramanujacharya was a 11th century Indian Philosopher, Hindu theologian, social reformer, and one of the most important exponents of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism. His philosophical foundations for devotionals were influential to the Bhakti movement.

Teachings of Ramanujacharya blend philosophical discussions along with devotional worship. His teachings bring together the intellectuals and the simple religious matters.

Ramanuja taught people that the best means of attaining salvation was through intense devotion to Vishnu. Vishnu in his grace helps the devotee to attain the bliss of union with Him.

He propounded the doctrine of Vishishtadvaita or qualified oneness in that the soul, even when united with the Supreme God, remained distinct.

He taught people that their present situation is due to past Karma. This would go away, and the future can be shaped by a life sticking to Dharma. One should avoid the company of worldly people. 

Finally, he taught that God's grace is accessible to anyone irrespective of caste, so long as they devote themselves to Lord. Self-surrender is the key to spiritual liberation. He insisted that humans cannot be saved by their efforts, and the grace of God is required. God’s grace is available to those who surrender themselves to God, thereby admitting their complete dependence on him.

The birthplace of Ramanuja near Chennai hosts a temple and is an active Vishishtadvaita school. His doctrines inspire a lively intellectual tradition in India's southern, northern and eastern states. His monastery and temple traditions are carried on in the most important and significant Vaishnava centres – the Ranganatha temple in  Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, and the Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.

The Statue of Equality in Hyderabad, planned by Chinna Jeeyar swamy, is dedicated to Ramanuja.