Ramanujacharya – Biography - ebooks - ISKCON desire tree

with ecstasy. Eventually Lord Varadaraja became so pleasedwith Vararanga that He offered him a benediction in returnfor his services. Of course, Vararanga requested the Lord'spermission for Ramanuja to come to Sri Rangam to be theacarya of the Vaisnavas there.Ramanuja was sorry to leave Kancipuram, particularlyas this meant losing the association of Kancipurna. But, atthe same time, he was pleased at the prospect of being withthe disciples of Alabandara. Thus it was with mixed feelingsthat he set off with Vararanga a few days later to make thejourney from Kancipuram to Sri Rangam.All the people of Rangaksetra were delighted whenYatiraja arrived in their city, and the assembly ofVaisnavas immediately installed him as the acarya. LordRanganatha was also very pleased to see this pure-hearteddevotee in His temple, and He bestowed upon him two mysticpowers - the ability to cure the sick and the strength toprotect the devotees from illusion. On hearing the news ofRamanujacarya's coming to Sri Rangam, many Vaisnavas fromthe surrounding area came to see him; all were thrilled tohear his wonderful explanations of Vaisnava philosophy.DELIVERANCE OF GOVINDAA short time after his coming to Sri Rangam, Ramanujabegan to consider the position of his dear cousin, Govinda,who years before had saved him from Yadavaprakasa'smurderous plot. He recalled Govinda's simplicity andaffection and how he had always been a dear friend to allliving entities. While thinking of these things, a desirearose in Ramanuja's heart to bring Govinda to the shelter ofLord Visnu’s lotus feet.As we have heard, ever since the fateful pilgrimageto Varanasi, Govinda had been a devout follower of LordSiva, residing at the holy place known as Kalahasti, whichis a place of pilgrimage for all Saivites. Ramanuja's uncle,Sailapurna, a disciple of Yamunacarya, was now living at SriSaila, just a short distance from Kalahasti. Therefore,Yatiraja decided to write him a letter, requesting him tosomehow or other make Govinda into a devotee of Lord Visnu.When he received this letter, Sailapurna went to Kalahastiwith his disciples and made his camp near a large lakethere.Every morning Govinda would come to that lake tobathe and gather flowers for his worship. When he came onemorning and found a venerable Vaisnava acarya seated nearbydiscussing the scriptures with his disciples, he wasintrigued. Being desirous of hearing all that was said,Govinda climbed up a nearby patali tree to pick someflowers. As he listened to Sailapurna's words of devotion,Govinda's mind became more and more attracted to thatsaintly Vaisnava.49