A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c20.23

c20.23

The Cholas were ardent Śaivas and evidently did not view the growing influence of Rāmānuja with favour. We may not trust the legends of the persecution to which Rāmānuja and his followers were subjected in all their details, but the fact remains that he had to withdraw into Mysore about 1098 and could not return to Śrīrangam till 1122. During this time Rāmānuja won over the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana from Jainism and established a well-organized matha at Melkote. After his return to Śrīrangam, Rāmānuja continued his work there till he died in 1137. He is worshipped as an avatar in all Vaishnava temples.