Srirangam Ramanuja's Eighteen Journeys for a Sacred Mantra at Thirukostiyur

Imagine the gentle sway of palm trees in Srirangam, the air thick with devotion. In this peaceful setting, a young Ramanuja from Srirangam felt a deep stirring within, a yearning for the Divine that echoed in his very soul. He heard whispers of a radiant wisdom residing in Thirukostiyur, held by a revered soul named Thirukostiyur Nambi.

Without a second thought, Ramanuja embarked on a quest to quench his spiritual thirst.

But this wasn't a simple visit. The path to enlightenment, it seemed, was paved with perseverance. Ramanuja walked the dusty miles from Srirangam to Thirukostiyur not once, not twice, but an astounding seventeen times! Each time, he stood with unwavering humility at the doorstep of Thirukostiyur Nambi. And each time, the answer remained the same: "Release the worldly thoughts of anger, jealousy, and selfishness that dwell in your heart. Only when you fully surrender to me and attain that inner maturity can I impart the sacred mantra."

Imagine the long walks back, the sun beating down, the thoughts swirling in Ramanuja's mind. He couldn't help but notice the way people treated each other on his journeys. Some showed respect, others recoiled in fear. A question began to form, sharp and insistent: "Why this discrimination? Are we not all human beings? Why this exclusion?" His heart ached at the deep-seated segregation he witnessed. "Is there such inequality in the creation of Narayana? This isn't right!" A revolutionary spirit began to simmer within him.

Then came the eighteenth journey. Weary in body but resolute in spirit, Ramanuja stood once more at Nambi's door. "This humble servant Ramanuja has come," he announced, his voice filled with humility. This time, the Guru's gaze softened. The moment of grace had arrived. But even in bestowing the sacred mantra, Thirukostiyur Nambi held a doubt. "Why such relentless persistence?" he wondered. "Could there be some hidden self-interest?" So, after imparting the precious words, he issued a stern warning: "This mantra belongs to you alone. You must not teach it to anyone. If you do, hell awaits you."

Yet, behind this seemingly harsh command lay a profound understanding. Nambi knew Ramanuja's unwavering determination hinted at a purpose far greater than personal salvation. The "curse" was a strategic move, a test to ensure that grand purpose would be fulfilled. Though unspoken, Guru and disciple shared a silent understanding – the glory of the sacred mantra was meant to spread.

Nambi's vision was like a small, carefully tended stream – knowledge passed down to one worthy soul per generation. But Ramanuja's vision was a mighty banyan tree, its branches reaching out to shelter and nourish countless thousands.

Jai Srimannarayana Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha: