The great Apostle Bhagavad Rāmānujācārya who flourished in the eleventh century, postulated Bhakti as universal medium through which one could, not only liberate himself from wordly tribulations but also attain the supremely blissful abode of the Lord Srimannārāyaṇa.
Among the stupendous works of Ācārya Rāmānuja, Gadya-traya, an encomium of infinite virtues and attributes of the Lord, sung in prose- poetry. This Magmum Opus of the great Ācārya has all prose-lyrical nuances.
As the name suggests ‘Gadya-traya-triad of Gadyas’ (Proses) is comprising three gadyas such as śaraṇāgati Gadya, Śrī Ranga Gadya and Vaikunṭha Gadya.
In the first of the Gadyas, Śaraṇāgati, there is the conversation between Acārya and the Lord Srimannārāyaṇa Himself, wherein ‘Prapatti’- Utter dependence on the Lord, appreciated as the only way to ‘release’ to be with the Supreme Lord, proffering service unto Him in ‘paramapada’, abode. Ācārya Rāmānuja has detailed here about the ways the supreme of utter devotion unto the Lord.
In second of the Gadyas, Śri Ranga Gadya furthering the thought of the first, Rāmānuja has put forth elaborately and deeply the desire to serve the Lord, begs of Him to bestow unflappable devotion to the Lord.
In the last of the Gadyas Vaikuṇṭha Gadya, Ācārya Rāmānuja presents the discription of supremely beautiful abode of the Lord, which as a ultimate Goal attainable, if the sceker of ultimate joy, adopting the path of devotion to Lord, to reach it. The crux of this work emphasizes the complete self - surrender to the Lord, as the cause of ultimate bliss.
This edition is presented with two beautiful elucidations in Sanskrit ‘Rahasyarakṣā” of Vedāntācārya and Śrutaprakāśikā Bhāṣya of Sudarśanasūri.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to Vidwan S. Narayana, the Research Officer, Vidwan S.N. Anandlwar, Junior Research Assistant, and Vidwan K.N. Rangapriya Junior Research Assistant for their rich contribution by bringing this critical edition in a record time.
I would like to thank the team of Mr. Lokesh - the Artist designer including Vidwan H.S. Hanumantha Rao, the Granthapala of the Academy for having brought out unique and effective cover page designs for this edition. Appreciations are also due to the team of DTP & in- house print division consisting of M/s Javare Gowda, Smt. D.N. Sowbhagya, K.S. Betta Swamy Gowda & G.N. Bette Gowda.
I will be failing in my duty if I don’t thank our President, Sri G. Kumar Naik, I.A.S., the former Secretary cum Treasurer, Sri Chakravarthi Mohan, I.A.S., and Present Secretary cum Treasurer Sri P. Maheswar Rao I.A.S., for their source of inspiration and support and also beloved colleagues - the Registrar Sri B.S. Krishna Prasad & the Asst. Registrar Sri S. Kumar and all the staff who have directly or indirectly contributed in this endeavor. Thanks are also due to the Binder - Mr. Prasanna of Mysore.
My special thanks are due to the members of the Managing Committee for their support and the Government of Karnataka for their timely financial aid without which the Academy could not have undertaken such monumental works.
I am sure the edition will be well received by the Sanskrit Scholarly World and would be used as a useful guide in any of their related research activities.
Ist March 2009
Melkote
Dr. Bhashyam Swamy
Director & Joint Secretary