Page 10 - Sri Ramanujacharya Sahasrabdhi - 1000th year anniversary of Ramanujacarya

s ll retains his iden ty as an individual soul. In this connec on Sripada
Ramanujacarya gives the example that when a green bird enters a
green tree it does not become one with the tree: it retains its iden ty as

a bird, although it appears to merge with the greenness of the tree. To
give another example, an animal that enters a forest keeps its individu-
ality, although apparently the beast merges with the forest. Similarly, in
material existence, both the material energy and the living en es of
the marginal potency maintain their individuality. Thus although the
energies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead interact within the cos-
mic manifesta on, each keeps its separate individual existence. Merg-
ing with the material or spiritual energies, therefore, does not involve
loss of individuality. According to SriRamanujapada’s theory of
Visishtadvaita, although all the energies of the Lord are one, each keeps

its individuality (vaisishtya).”
Prabhupada described Ramanujacarya as one of the most learned Ve-
dic scholars and an actual follower of the Bhak path on the level of a
Mahajana, a great authority of Krishna consciousness.
“One should not think that the person who takes to Bhak is one who
cannot perform the ritualis c ceremonies recommended in the karma-
kanda sec on of the Vedas or is not sufficiently educated to speculate
on spiritual subjects. Mayavadis generally allege that the Bhak path is
for women and illiterates. This is a groundless accusa on. The Bhak

path is followed by the most learned scholars, such as the Gosvamis,
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramanujacarya. These are the actual
followers of the Bhak path. Regardless of whether or not one is edu-
cated or aristocra c, one must follow in their footsteps. Mahajano
yena gatah sa panthah; one must follow the path of the mahajanas.
The mahajanas are those who have taken to the path of devo onal ser-
vice (susilah sadhavo yatra narayana-parayanah), for these great per-
sonali es are the perfect persons.” (SB 6.1.17)

Understanding the real iden ty of absolute truth

Srila Prabhupada uses a quote from Ramanujacarya’s Vedartha-

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