Page 4 - Sri Ramanujacharya Sahasrabdhi - 1000th year anniversary of Ramanujacarya

two other Vaisnava disciplics successions, the Kumar and Rudra tradi-
ons, are bona fide and similar in philosophical correspondence.

The following quotes from discussions of Srila Prabhupada will reveal
the extent of similarity between the Sri Vaisnavas and the Gaudiya
Vaisnavas.
Srila Prabhupada’s instructs Professor Hopkins about accep ng
Sri Vaisnavism

Srila Prabhupada was specifically asked by Professor Hopkins if the Sri
Vaisnavas represented by Ramanujacarya “fit into your, the Caitanya
tradi on…” He wanted to know if Prabhupada accepted the philosophi-

cal understanding of the Sri Vaisnavas as compa ble to Lord Caitanya’s
understanding. Prabhupada answered the following in a “Conversa on
with Professor Hopkins -- July 13, 1975, Philadelphia”:
Prabhupada: Just like in the Bhagavad-gita you'll find, ma ah parata-
ram nanyat kincid as dhananjaya (BG 7.7), "Nobody or no principle is
greater than Me." Then who can be God? God is great. Here the great
says, "There is no more greater principle than Me." Then who can be
God? People generally know God is great. Krishna says, ma ah parata-
ram nanyat (BG 7.7). Not only He says but it is confirmed by great au-

thori es like Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Vishnu Svami, all the big,
big acaryas, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Vyasadeva, authori es. krishnas tu
bhagavan svayam (SB 1.3.28). So how you can deny?
Prof. Hopkins: You refer to Ramanujacarya as an important person.
Where does he... Where does he fit into your, the Caitanya tradi on?
He's accepted as an authority. His, the Sri Bhashya is studied, accept-
ed…
Prabhupada: Ramanujacarya has wri en comment on Bhagavad-gita.
You know that?
Prof. Hopkins: No.

Prabhupada: Eh?
Prof. Hopkins: No.

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