History of Classical Sanskrit Literature c19.s1.21

c19.s1.21

**206. Rāmānuja** was Āḻavandār’s son’s daughter’s son. He was born in Kali 4119 (1017 A.D.) at Śrīperumbudūr.¹ His father was Āsūri Keśava Bhattar of Hārītagotra. Rāmānuja was first named Lakṣmaṇa and to this day he is called Lakṣmaṇamuni and an incarnation of Ādiśeṣa. He studied under Yādavaprakāśa at Kāñcī, but became estranged from him on account of his jealousy. After escaping an attempt at assassination, he lived at Kāñcī, until he was called to Śrīraṅgam to take the place of Āḻavandār. He reached Śrīraṅgam barely to see the remains of Āḻavandār about to be consigned to the funeral pile.² At Madhurāntakam, he was initiated into Vedānta by Perianambi and soon he became an ascetic.