Varttamalaim

 The Varttamalai is a significant Tamil work that captures the teachings and quotes of Sri Ramanujacharya, the revered 11th-century philosopher and founder of the Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) tradition. While the exact quotes may vary depending on the compilation, some key themes and quotes attributed to Ramanujacharya include his emphasis on surrender (prapatti), devotion (bhakti), and service to God and fellow beings.

Here are some notable teachings or quotes associated with Ramanujacharya that appear in Varttamalai:

Key Teachings and Quotes

1. On Surrender to Lord Narayana:

"Surrender to the Lord with total faith and accept His grace, for He is the ultimate refuge of all beings."

This emphasizes the concept of prapatti, which is central to Ramanuja's philosophy.

2. On Devotion and Service:

"True devotion is to see the Lord in all beings and serve them as you would serve Him."

Ramanuja believed in bhakti as both love for God and compassionate service to humanity.

3. On the Guru's Role:

"The grace of the Acharya (spiritual teacher) is the most important path to liberation, for the Guru shows the way to the Divine."

4. On Equality:

"The Lord's grace is for everyone, irrespective of caste, creed, or status."

Ramanuja broke social barriers by advocating equality in spiritual practice.

5. On the Importance of Scriptures:

"The Vedas and Divya Prabandham are the guiding lights to understanding the Lord's will and living a life of righteousness."

6. On Moksha (Liberation):

"Liberation is not about merging with the Lord but reaching His eternal abode to serve Him joyfully."

This is a cornerstone of the Vishishtadvaita philosophy.

These quotes highlight Ramanuja's emphasis on humility, surrender, and universal compassion.