R05. Guru Yadavaprakasa Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

SRIRAMANUJA

In his 16th year, Ramanuja married,
But his father, Kesava Diksita died
Just after a month of their happiness,
That kept them all in unhappiness.

To keep up their busy routine,
Also for his higher education,
They moved to Kanchipuram,
A famous town known to them.

As Ramanuja learnt the Vedas
And many other Sanskrit lessons
From his late father earlier.
His found higher studies easier.

To learn the advanced philosophy,
And also the Vedanta particularly,
He then became a student under
Yadavaprakasa, a famous teacher.

He served his teacher obediently,
And studied more attentively,
What the teacher taught daily,
That he learnt everything easily.

His Guru was also pleased well,
With his extraordinary skill,
Of mastering every subject,
By next minute, it was taught.

On the one side Guru was happy
On the other side he was unhappy
For the reason his student went,
Ahead of Guru beyond his limit.

While Yadhava taught Advaita,
Ramanuja argued on Dvaita,
Which irritated the Guru then,
Against the latter's opinion.

Advaita, it means, all Souls
Form part of the Divine Soul
While Dvaita says all Souls
Differ from the Divine soul.

This difference of opinion,
Widened as days went on,
And the Guru began to hate
Ramanuja for his argument.