Ramanuja Vaibhavam : 16 : Swami Ramanujar's return to Sri Rangam and attaining Paramapadam

  After Kulotunga Chola died in 1118, Swami Ramanujar decided to return to Sri Rangam. The people of Yadugiri could not bear to part with Swami Ramanujar. Thus, Swami Ramanujar instilled his qualities into a panchaloham idol. Swami Ramanujar and his disciples first made a stop at Tirumaliruncholai, where he fulfilled his vow to Sri Andal and presented the Lord with 100 gangalams of butter, and sweet rice. After meeting his promise, he visited Srivilliputur, where Sri Andal is said to have appeared before him and given him the title of Godaagraja. Swami Ramanujar then safely returned to Sri Rangam. When Kurathazhwan received the news of Swami Ramanujar's return, he rushed to see his Acharya. When Swami Ramanuja saw the plight of Kurathazhwan, he told Kurathazhwan to visit Varadaraja Perumal to regain his lost eyes. Kurthazhwan followed his Acharya's instruction and restored his sight through the grace of Varadaraja Perumal. Kurathazhwan then served Swami Ramanujar for a period of two more years before attaining Paramapadam. Seventeen years after Kurathazhwan's demise, a time came when Swami Ramanujar sensed that his time on bhu-lokam was coming close to the end. It was at this time that Swami Ramanujar appointed Kurathazhwan's son Parashara Bhattar as the successor to propagate the Visishta Advaita Philosophy and made his final journey towards Paramapadam. The gist of his last teachings is as follows:

Worship all holy men precisely as you would do in the case of your spiritual preceptor. Have sincere faith in the teachings of the previous acharyas and Azhwars. Never become enslaved by your senses. Be not satisfied with the acquisition of worldly knowledge; spend your time reading literature which deals with the greatness of God and the wonders of His creation. By the Guru's grace, the attraction of the senses will cease to torment you. Learn to maintain composure in feelings of joy and sorrow, charm, and aversion. Enjoy the chanting of the names and glories of God's devotees with as much relish as the chanting of God's names and glories. Never forget that service to the devotees of God is more significant than service to God Himself. He who renders service to God's devotees speedily attains God Himself. Do not take to the life of a devotee as a means for acquiring any selfish advantage.

I would like to end this journey by paying obeisance to Swami Ramanujar.

" Acharyan Tiruvadigale Sharanam "