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CH. XXXVri. RAMANUJA'S GREATNKSS. 245
among the Holy places ; St. NamraAzhvar among the Saints ;
so is R8,mauuja among the Acharyas (Apostles), such as Nithaniani.
31. The importance of i{S.ni-Avatai'a. consists in Rama's
declaring the Divine Gift of Free Grace to all who may approach
Him, irrespoclive of caste or creed, color or condition ;
in seeking friendship of liumb'e folk like Giiha : in performing
the obsequies of a Hrahraana for Jatayn ; in iiccepting food
frona the hands of a Sabari ; in eating in the company of
Hanum9,n ; and so forth.'
The importance of Kvislin-.4vatara consists in Krishna's
delivering the Apocalypse of Bliagavad-gita, with its Cliara,ma-
Sloka -j^ in rejecting the hospitality of Bbishma and Drona
for that of Vidura ;" and so forth.
The reputation of Srirangam comes of Lord Ranga's
having mixed with the (Pariali) Saint Tiruppanar, as intimately
as body and soul ; that of Tiiupati comes of Lord
Srinivasa's having spoken to and moved freely with such souls
asBhima, (Kurnmb-arutta-nambi), the pottei', and Tondaman;
that of Kanclii (PerumM-koil) comes of Lord Varada's having
that of Melukote, of Lord
been so intimate with KA,riclii-purna ;
Karayana's having eaten of tlie food offered by Sucharita's
son ; and of His having deigned to become the .son of Rarnanuja
—hence called Yatiraia-sauipar-kumara.'
Tlie distinction earned by Veda-Vya.ca is becnu.se of his
Vedftnta-Sutras an