Ramanujacharya – Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

seemed that an effulgent person appeared before him andbegan to give him instructions. Again and again he toldYadavaprakasa that he should become the disciple ofYatiraja.When Yadavaprakasa awoke, the effects of the dreamwere still with him, and he was struck with wonder. However,he was never a man to act solely on the basis of hisemotions, and in his mind there still lingered doubts aboutRamanuja's philosophy.That afternoon he went to the asrama and, as soon ashe saw Yatiraja, he was struck by the young acaryas purityand effulgence. Ramanuja received his former teacher withcourtesy, offering him an elevated sitting place. After theyhad exchanged greetings, Yadavaprakasa began to express hisdoubts about the Vaisnava philosophy that Ramanuja was soexpertly presenting. "My child," he said gently, "I am verypleased by your scholarship and humble behavior. I can seefrom the markings of tilaka and the emblems of the lotus andcakra on your body that you are a devotee of Lord Visnu andconsider the path of bhakti alone to be proper. But whatevidence can be found in the scriptures to support such apoint of view?"To this inquiry Yatiraja replied, "Here is Kuresa,who is most learned in all of the revealed scriptures. Placeyour question before him."Thereupon, as Yadavaprakasa looked towards Kuresa,the young disciple of Ramanuja began to speak. He citednumerous verses from many different scriptures - the Vedas,Upanisads, Puranas, etc. - which confirmed that lovingdevotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead isthe perfection of spiritual life.On hearing this torrent of evidence from thescriptures, Yadavaprakasa was dumbfounded and fell silent.Different thoughts passed quickly through his mind - hisprevious outrageous behavior, the words of his mother, andthe advice that had been given to him by Kancipurna.Suddenly he threw himself down at the feet of his formerdisciple, crying out, "0 Ramanuja, blinded by pride, I couldnot see your true qualities. Please forgive all my offensesand become my guide to deliver me from the miseries of thismaterial world. I take shelter of you alone."Yatiraja then raised Yadavaprakasa to his feet andembraced him with warm affection. With his mother'sblessings, that same day Yadavaprakasa accepted sannyasafrom Ramanuja and considered himself greatly fortunate. Hewas given the name Govinda dasa, and from that day on he waslike a different person. He now fully embraced the Vaisnavaphilosophy and gave up all pride in his scholarship. Tearsof humility now decorated his eyes as he engaged in acts ofdevotion to the Supreme Lord. On hearing of thisextraordinary transformation, everyone praised the influenceof Ramanuja, and his fame spread far and wide.47