Sri Ramanuja's Chathussoothri in Sri Bhaashya

The three great acharyas who took upon themselves the most difficult task of proving conclusively as to who the controller of this Universe and the final goal to attain for all jeevaathmas through the medium of Brahma Suthras were Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhva, the trinity of our philosophy. There have been many interpreters / commentators before and after them. The works of these acharyas have stood the test of time. Interestingly leaving aside Nimbhaarka, all the other bhashyakaaras are from South India!

Adi Shankara, respectfully referred to as 'Shankara-Bhagavathpaadha in Karnataka, must be considered precocious, as he brought out the first full-fledged 'commentary (Suthra bhashya) at a very young age. Yes! there was some lacuna in his postulation, but all the same a great and substantial contribution. He indeed, shall we say, pioneered handling of the subtle, laconic and baffling Brahma suthras!

Very worthy and the most capable one to follow him was Ramanuja who researched comprehensively before he undertook the work of writing a commentary and was highly successful in explaining issues which had been left without thorough analysis. Extremely satisfied with his wonderful commentary, goddess Saraswathi called his commentary 'Sri Bhashya'. Foreign scholars lauded Sri Bhashya as the most balanced commentary. not over reaching the author, Sri Veda Vyaasa.

A) Ramanuja's hard work in developing the philosophy of Vishistadvaitha should be recognised by his followers and also his wish in his 6-fold gospel which points to the fact that all of us have a duty towards this system. We should make more people aware of the shareera-shareeri concept. In whatever way we can, we should contribute to spread the message contained in Ramaanuja's works.

Sri Bhashya is a commentary on Brahma Suthras which are based on upanishads popularly known as Vedantha; it comprises Ramaanuja's concept of Vishistädvaitha. He worked hard to resolve some difficult concepts with his ingenuity and dialectic skill. He harmonised the upanishadhic texts which on the face of them appeared to convey conflicting messages. He has also trodden the traditional way (poorvaachaarya sampradhaya) in his interpretive task.

There is a general feeling that the great philosophic thought advanced by Ramanuja has not received the same reception and publicity as some other faiths outside India and it is our duty to propagate this philosophy at least among our people first in the manner considered best by our friends living abroad.

It gives me great pleasure to see when a non-Srivaishnavite buys my books. In the recent past there have been quite a few instances of this happening to convey the message that if proper literature could be made available, the message can be spread.

Adiyen feels that our Acharya Saarvabhaumas also have a role here considering their large 'shishya-koti' spread all over the world.

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