PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES SRI RAMANUJA SAHASRABDI SAMAROHAM AND UNVEILS THE GOLD DEITY OF SRI RAMANUJACHARYAJI IN HYDERABAD

Rashtrapati Bhavan : 13.02.2022

Saint-poets and philosophers like Sri Ramanujacharya have created and nurtured India's cultural identity, cultural continuity and cultural unity, said the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind while addressing the Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi Samaroham after unveiling the gold deity of Sri Ramanujacharyaji in Hyderabad today (February 13, 2022).

The President said that Saint-poets and philosophers like Sri Ramanujacharya built the concept of a nation based on cultural values. This culture-based concept of nation is different from that defined in the western thought. References to the Bhakti tradition that united India in a single-thread centuries ago are found in the Puranas. This tradition can be seen in the form of the Bhakti sects inspired by Sri Ramanujacharya, which had spread from Srirangam and Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Thus, the emotional unity of Indians is centuries old.

The President said that during his life-span of more than a hundred years, Sri Ramanujacharyaji brought glory to India's spiritual and social character. In order to spread the message of devotion and equality among the people, he travelled across the country. Sri Ramanuja’s ‘Vishishtadvaita’ is not only a singular contribution to philosophy, but he also showed the relevance of philosophy in day-to-day life. What is called philosophy in the West has been reduced to a subject of only scholarly study. But what we call ‘Darshan’ is not a matter of dry analysis; it is a way of looking at the world and also a way of life.

The President said that Sri Ramanujacharyaji provided an intellectual base to the rich Bhakti tradition of the South, especially the tradition of the Alvar saint poets. He opened the doors of Vaishnavism for the members of so called backward castes. He explained that Bhakti is beyond distinction of castes and laid emphasis on everyone’s right to worship God. He introduced the concept of equality in the contemporary social system. He combined the essence of devotion with the intellectualism of Vedanta, and connected the intellect with the heart and the intangible with the tangible. He tried to instill the concept of surrendering all material pleasures to come to the shelter of God. He showed the path of salvation through devotion.

The President said that Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the main architect of our Constitution, who stood for social justice, had clearly stated that the fundamental constitutional ideals of our modern republic are based on the cultural heritage of India. Babasaheb had also mentioned with great respect, the egalitarian ideals of Sri Ramanujacharya. Thus, our concept of equality is not derived from western countries. It has developed on the cultural soil of India. Our eternal vision of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” is based on equality. Equality is the cornerstone of our democracy. Equality before law, prohibition of all forms of discrimination, equality of opportunity, abolition of untouchability - all these Fundamental Rights have been enshrined in our Constitution. To achieve the constitutional objective of establishing an equitable society, many programs of public welfare are run by the government.

The President said that working for the welfare of all beings has been an important part of our value system. This ideal of 'benefit of all' is also visible in the path of devotion based on the Vishishtadvaita of Sri Ramanujacharya. Today our Constitution is the basis of the system of our country. But centuries ago, temples and monasteries were the main centers of cultural and social activities. In order to establish equality in that environment, Sri Ramanujacharya made the backward sections of the society participants in the arrangement of temples and monasteries. Thus, the egalitarian ideals of our Constitution are visible in the thoughts and methodology of Sri Ramanujacharya.

The President greeted all citizens, especially the devotees of Sri Ramanujacharyaji on the auspicious occasion of the sahasrabdi (one thousand year) celebrations the greatest flag-bearer of devotion (Bhakti) and equality. He said that during this visit, today, he got an opportunity to connect with a great chapter in the spiritual and social tradition of our country.

Referring to the prayers by saints in Vedas 'your body should be visible so that we can easily see you', the President said that the feeling of seeing the divine qualities in concrete shape has been the inspiration for the construction of the statue of Sri Ramanujacharya. He appreciated Jeeyar Swamiji and all associated with the construction of Statue of Equality. He said that the devotion and spirit with which they have built this statue, they should also work for the service and welfare of the people. Such initiatives would strengthen our efforts towards building an egalitarian society.