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Sri Bhagavad-Ramanuja’s
SARANAAGATI GADYA with English Translation of the Commentary by Sri Srutaprakasika Acharya and of the Text

Prepared under the guidance of Abhinava Desika
SRI UTTAMUR VIRARAGHAVACHARYA SWAMI
BY K. BHASHYAM

Price: 0-50 nP
Ubhaya Vedanta Granthamala Series
न मम श्रीपतेरेव
Not Mine/only Thine
PRINTED AT THE LIBERTY PRESS, MADRAS-1

INTRODUCTION

I am glad that I am able to edit and publish English Translations of some very useful Religious and Philosophical works in my Ubhaya Vedanta Grantha Mala Series. The public know that the first volume of Vedanta Deepa by Sri Bhagavad Ramanuja has been published with translations. The second Volume is getting ready and will be published soon. Meanwhile, an English Translation of Saranaagati Gadya, one of the three Gadyas by the same Sri Ramanuja, is being published. The translations are by Sri K. Bhashyam who has found the leisure not only to study these works but also undertake the task of translating them.

The ultimate goal of life is Moksha, the release of one’s soul from the cycle of Samsaara. To attain this, there are two ways indicated by the Saastras, one Bhakti Yoga and the other Prapatti. By etiher of these means the Redemptive Grace of God can be secured. Bhakti Yoga is difficult to perform for ordinary mortals, for, it means constant one-pointed meditation of Brahmam to be practised by the Devotee during his whole life time, accompanied at the same time by the performance of the usual rites, sacrifices, etc. On the other hand, Prapatti is the absolute surrender of the Self to the Lord; it is comparatively more easy and can be performed by any person who has learnt about it from his Aacharya and is desirous of Moksha. In ancient times, as stated in Taittireeya Upanishad, “Etadvai Mahopanishadam Devaanaam Guhyam”, Prapatti was kept as a close secret. Hence, in Brahmasutra, Prapatti is mentioned but not [[iv]] clearly. For the same reason, Sri Ramanuja also did not wish to refer to it explicitly in his Sri Bhashya and Geeta Bhashya. Whatever controversy there may be as to whether Sri Ramanuja advocated Prapatti in his other works, there is no doubt that he has unmistakably indicated in his Gadya Traya the path of Prapatti as a sure direct means to salvation. So, while other works of Sri Ramanuja are to be studied to learn from them exactly what are the Tatwa, and Purushaarta, but to know what is Hita it is necessary to complete the study by studying the Gadya Traya, for, it is only then we can understand Hita, (Prapatti) its nature and how it is to be performed.

Saranaagati Gadya is in the form of a dialogue between Sri Ramanuja and Sri (Lakshmi) in the first instance, then between Sri Ramanuja and Naraayana. Tradition is that Sri Ramanuja performed Saranaagati in Srirangam before Lord Ranganatha and His Consort Sri (Lakshmi) when they were seated on an Aasthanam and that Sri (Lakshmi) and the Lord actually spoke to him and granted him his prayers as seen from the Saranaagati Gadya.

To Sri Ramanuja, Iswara is a Personal God who has the Universe, Chit and Achit as His Body and is full of all and various beneficient qualities. It is appropriets therefore that, as is usual with him, Sri Ramanuja should in his Saranaagati Gadya, sing the glory or the beauty of His divine Personality, the brilliance of His wonderful ornaments, and the Mighty powers of His weapons.

He is also adored as the Consort of Sri (Lakshmi), Bhoo Devi and Neela Devi. He has also for His attendants Nityas, like Garuda and Vishvaksena, and the Muktas, in Vaikunta, the Blissful Abode of Sri Naraayana.

Saranaagati Gadya is the exposition of Dvaya Mantra which has come to us traditionally. This is the major Gadya, the other two Gadyas being supplementary. This work is one of great religious importance to the followers of Sri Ramanuja who believe in his philosophy of Visishtadvaita.

There are more than one Commentary on this Gadya. The Commentary of Sri Sruta Prakasika Acharya (Sudarsana Bhatta) is taken for translation as it is a short one and is by an author respected equally by all sects of Sri Vaishnavas.

Thanks are due to Sri Srinivasachariar, the Proprietor of the Liberty Press for the neat printing of the work and bringing it out in quick time.

25, Nathamuni St.,
T. Nagar. 6-1-59
Uttamur T. Veeraraghavachariar.