Ideal guru and sishya
Tiruvalluvar says, 'The crown of wealth is one's compassion; all other wealth is found among even the meanest of men.' One may say it is very difficult to show kindness to one's persecutor in the Kali Yuga, but when one decides to overlook faults in others who set out to injure one, then one is walking in God's way, as shown by our acharyas, said Damal S. Ramakrishnan.
Saint Ramanuja had a harrowing experience when his guru himself orchestrated an attempt to cause injury to Ramanuja, while they had crossed the forests of the Vindhyas. Sensing the mood in the camp, Ramanuja slipped away and made his escape through the forests, keen on returning to Kancheepuram. However, he did not know the direction to travel and lay down exhausted under a tree. A hunter and his spouse appeared forthwith and enquired about his travails. Out of respect and regard for his guru and impelled by his inherent compassion, he refrained from naming anyone; instead, he merely says he has to reach Kanchi and whether they can guide him. The hunter couple readily offers to take him to Kanchi as they were also headed there. Ramanuja says, 'Ramaya Ramabhadraya' (You appear like Rama and Sita to me). The couple asks, in feigned innocence, 'Who is this Rama and Sita that you speak of?'
Ramanuja, stunned by their 'ignorance' , immediately narrates the Ramayana in great detail, which ends as they reach Kanchi. Here, the couple disappears as soon as they enter the town and that is when Ramanuja realises that the hunter couple was none but Varadaraja Perumal and Perundevi Thayar, the deities of Kancheepuram temple.
In another incident, that took place years later, when his guru Tirukoshtiyur Nambi arrives in Srirangam, Ramanuja goes forward to receive him and as is the practice, prostrates before Nambi. In sampradaya, a sishya, prostrating to the guru, will continue to do so until the guru calls a halt to the prostration. When Nambi did not give the stop signal for a long time, Kidambi Acharya, Ramnuja's sishya, took matters into his own hand and ending Ramanuja's prostration in the hot sands, lifted him up, defying Nambi. However, Nambi smiled and said, 'This was a test to identify Ramanuja's true sishya and you have done very well.'
Acharyas not only possess great knowledge that they pass on, but they also identify the most sincere sishya, like Ramanuja.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Ideal guru and sishya
Tiruvalluvar says, 'The crown of wealth is one's compassion; all other wealth is found among even the meanest of men.' One may say it is very difficult to show kindness to one's persecutor in the Kali Yuga, but when one decides to overlook faults in others who set out to injure one, then one is walking in God's way, as shown by our acharyas, said Damal S. Ramakrishnan. Saint Ramanuja had a harrowing experience when his guru himself orchestrated an attempt to cause injury to Ramanuja, while they had crossed the forests of the Vindhyas. Sensing the mood in the camp, Ramanuja slipped away and made his escape through the forests, keen on returning to Kancheepuram. However, he did not know the direction to travel and lay down exhausted under a tree. A hunter and his spouse appeared forthwith and enquired about his travails. Out of respect and regard for his guru and impelled by his inherent compassion, he refrained from naming anyone; instead, he merely says he has to reach Kanchi and whether they can guide him. The hunter couple readily offers to take him to Kanchi as they were also headed there. Ramanuja says, 'Ramaya Ramabhadraya' (You appear like Rama and Sita to me). The couple asks, in feigned innocence, 'Who is this Rama and Sita that you speak of?' Ramanuja, stunned by their 'ignorance' , immediately narrates the Ramayana in great detail, which ends as they reach Kanchi. Here, the couple disappears as soon as they enter the town and that is when Ramanuja realises that the hunter couple was none but Varadaraja Perumal and Perundevi Thayar, the deities of Kancheepuram temple. In another incident, that took place years later, when his guru Tirukoshtiyur Nambi arrives in Srirangam, Ramanuja goes forward to receive him and as is the practice, prostrates before Nambi. In sampradaya, a sishya, prostrating to the guru, will continue to do so until the guru calls a halt to the prostration. When Nambi did not give the stop signal for a long time, Kidambi Acharya, Ramnuja's sishya, took matters into his own hand and ending Ramanuja's prostration in the hot sands, lifted him up, defying Nambi. However, Nambi smiled and said, 'This was a test to identify Ramanuja's true sishya and you have done very well.' Acharyas not only possess great knowledge that they pass on, but they also identify the most sincere sishya, like Ramanuja.
News18
2 days ago
- News18
If Even Krishna Faced Karma, What Hope Do We Have?
Last Updated: Even Krishna couldn't escape karma — a divine reminder that no one is above the law of cause and effect. In the intricate philosophy of Hinduism, karma isn't just a law — it's the law. A cosmic scale of action and consequence, karma governs the fate of all beings, mortal and divine. And yet, the paradox remains: even Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, the very teacher of dharma in the Bhagavad Gita could not escape it. If he couldn't, can anyone? Why Krishna's Death Was Not Just a Death Krishna's life, though divine in essence, unfolded like that of a mortal – filled with duty, compassion, war, and teachings. His death, however, is where the deeper symbolism of karma strikes hardest. Shot by a hunter named Jara, Krishna left his earthly form not in battle or grand sacrifice, but through what seems like an accident. But mythology hints at something far more complex. This moment is often traced back to a karmic thread from the Ramayana, where Lord Rama (an earlier incarnation of Vishnu) killed Bali from behind — a controversial act, criticized even then. Bali was reborn as Jara, who unknowingly returned the debt. Thus, karma completed its cycle, revealing its impartial nature: not even divine avatars are exempt. Another layer adds depth — the curse of Gandhari. After the Kurukshetra war claimed the lives of her sons, Gandhari, in grief and fury, cursed Krishna for allowing the destruction. Coupled with the downfall of the Yadavas due to arrogance and internal conflict, Krishna's passing becomes not just the end of a life, but the natural unfolding of karmic law. Krishna Never Escaped Karma — He Embraced It Krishna wasn't punished by karma. He honoured it. Throughout the Mahabharata, he operated within human limitations, choosing to be a guide rather than a controller. In the Bhagavad Gita, he teaches Arjuna the essence of karma yoga — to act without attachment, to perform one's duties without clinging to the fruits of the effort. 'You have a right to perform your duties, but not to the fruits thereof." — Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 47 This teaching underscores a powerful truth: it's not about escaping karma, but aligning with its rhythm. What It Means for Us Krishna's life and death offer a humbling, yet liberating lesson: karma is neutral, exact, and universal. Whether one is a king, a commoner, or a god in human form — no one bypasses the effects of their actions. So what does that mean for us? Every action counts. Karma doesn't skip anyone. What we do today shapes our tomorrow — tangibly or subtly. Intent matters, but outcome matters too. A good heart cannot always erase a harmful effect. Both action and awareness must walk hand in hand. Spiritual detachment is key. As Krishna taught, freedom lies not in control, but in surrender — acting rightly and letting go of reward or blame. Karma Is Not Punishment — It's Reflection Krishna's story isn't about divine failure; it's about divine responsibility. Karma is not a weapon, but a mirror — reflecting what we choose, revealing who we are. His life invites us to see karma not as a force to fear, but a path to walk with awareness, grace, and integrity. In the end, Krishna didn't fall to karma. He fulfilled it — with full knowledge, full acceptance, and complete mastery. And perhaps, that is the real liberation: not escaping karma, but embracing it so fully that it no longer binds us.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
BHU faculty, alumni win Naimisharanya logo, tagline contest
Varanasi: Assistant professor of the department of Applied Arts, faculty of Visual Arts, Banaras Hindu University, and two alumni secured the top three positions in the logo and tagline design competition for Naimisharanya, Sitapur organised by the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation. Under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 initiative, the UP State Tourism Development Corporation organised a national-level logo and tagline design competition for Naimisharanya, Sitapur. The department of Applied Arts, BHU made history by securing the first, second, and third positions in the contest. Alumnus Nikhil Kumar Rai secured the first position, assistant professor of the department Ashish Kumar Gupta secured the second position, and alumnus Uday Prakash secured the third position. Located in Sitapur district, about 90km from Lucknow, Naimisharanya is mentioned in Ramayana, Mahabharata and puranas. It is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu's Sudarshan Chakra fell on the earth, and where 88,000 sages led by Shaunak Rishi performed the great yagya. The place remains to be a centre of faith for spiritual seekers, pilgrims, and cultural lovers. "It is a matter of great pride for the entire faculty that alumni and an assistant professor dominated the top three positions in this national-level competition, in which entries were received from all over the country, including Uttar Pradesh. This is the first time that Guru and Shishya of the same department have won all the top prizes in a national competition," said the dean of the faculty of visual arts, prof Uttam Dixit, congratulating all the winning participants. Head of the department of Applied Arts, prof Manish Arora said that it was a matter of joy for the department for winning all the positions in the national competition of logo design. The competition was organised under the guidance of the chief development officer of Sitapur, and the winners were selected by the district evaluation committee. The objective of the competition was to develop a strong and culturally relevant visual identity for one of the holiest spiritual places in India, Naimisharanya. The logo design and tagline prepared by the winners will be used by Naimisharanya, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh State Tourism.
