2ND PART OF SHREE YAMUNACHARYA BIOGRAPHY, THE 1ST PART CAN BE FOUND HERE - http://vishnudut1926.blogspot.com/2017/12/yamunacharya-part-001.html
YAMUNACHARYA'S CONVERSION
However Alavandara(Yamunacharya) could not understand the real meaning of Rama Misra's words, and, being anxious to acquire the treasure, he said,
"I am ready to go there immediately along with four divisions of my army. Please be our guide."
"It is better if we go alone," replied Rama Misra, "for it is not advisable for many people to assemble there."
The king accepted this proposal, and, having made arrangements for the management of the kingdom in his absence, he prepared to set out with the sadhu. Leaving the city of Madurai behind them, they traveled in a northerly direction.
RAMA MISHRA CHANTS "SHREE BHAGAVAD-GITA".
At noon, while they were resting from the heat of the sun, Rama Misra began to chant the verses of the Bhagavad-gita.
It was many years since Yamunacarya had read and studied this great scripture, and while he had ruled as a king the sublime teachings of the Gita had been far from his heart.
But now, as he listened to Rama Misra's sweet voice bringing forth the words of Lord Shree Krishna, he began to realize the illusory nature of his position as a king and to see how he was neglecting the real goal of life.
When Rama Misra had finished chanting all the eighteen chapters, Yamunacarya fell down at his feet and begged: "Please accept me as your servant, so that I may be able to continually relish the sweet nectar of Sri Krishna's words. Now, as I hear from you, all the pleasures of my worldly lives seem pale and insignificant".
At this Rama Misra smiled and said, "If you have the time to spare, then why not stay here for a few days and study the Gita with me".
Now that a taste of the real value of life had begun to reawaken in the heart of the king, his concern over material affairs was diminished.
"Whatever duties I may have in this world," he replied, "certainly the most important duty for every man is to understand the true meaning of the Bhagavad-gita."
Thus, the two of them remained in that solitary place for almost a week, and every day Rama Misra spoke on the sublime teachings of the Gita, while Yamunacarya listened with rapt attention.
With every word that the sadhu spoke, the king's attachment for his material opulence was diminished. This is natural, for once one becomes truly aware of the glory and sweetness of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krsna, and the pleasures of this world seem worthless in comparison.
When Rama Misra reached the eighth verse of the twelfth chapter, he sang in a voice choked with tears:
मय्य् एव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय
निवसिष्यसि मय्य् एव अत ऊर्ध्वं न संशयः
"Therefore, just focus your mind on Me Alone and establish your intellect in Me. Thus you will live in Me solely; there is no doubt about it". ["Shree Bhagavad-Gita", 12.8 - translation of the Verse is from "A condensed rendering of Sri Ramanuja's Gita Bhashya" by K.R. KrishnaSwami]
When he heard this wonderful verse, Yamunacarya was filled with remorse and cried out, "Alas! Alas! All these years I have wasted my life, with my mind and intelligence absorbed only in thoughts of lust and wealth. When will that day come when I will be able to remove such useless things from my heart and fix my mind completely on the lotus feet of Sri Krishna?"
Hearing this pure sentiment, Rama Misra consoled the king, saying, "Your majesty, your pure mind rests always on the lotus feet of the Lord. Just for a short time it has been captivated by worldly desires, as a small cloud obscures the Sun's rays for a short time. Now that cloud has almost gone, and the sun will shine again to dispel the darkness from your heart!"
At this point Alavandara (Yamunacharya) decided that he wanted no more to do with material life, and so he told Rama Misra, "Now, all I desire is to become your disciple and so I have no need of the wealth left by my grandfather."
"But I gave my word to Nathamuni," replied Rama Misra, "and so I must deliver the treasure to you to keep my vow intact. Now let us continue our journey together".
YAMUNACHARYA AND RAMA MISHRA REACH SHREE RANGANATHA TEMPLE.
After walking for four days, they reached the banks of the Kaveri River and the next day crossed over to the island on which stands the Sacred Temple of Sri Ranganatha. Rama Misra led Yamunacarya through the six outer gates, until they stood before the doors of the temple room itself.
Then Rama Misra said, "In front of us lying on the bed of Ananta-Sesa is the treasure that was your grandfather's only property - Ranganatha, the Lord of LakshmiDevi, the most beautiful of all personalities."
Hearing these words, Yamunacarya ran forward and fell unconscious at the feet of the Deity. From that day he had no desire to resume his royal position. He took initiation from Rama Misra and spent the rest of his days totally absorbed in service to Sri Ranganatha.
Part of his kingdom was returned to the Pandya kings, and a part of it he gave for the service of Lord Ranganatha.
He received from his Guru the Mantra of Eight Syllables (Shree Ashtakshara-Narayana-Mantra) - Om Namo Narayanaya and by chanting this Mantra he attained the topmost platform of loving devotion to the Lord.
On the order of Rama Misra he learned the art of mystic yoga and meditation from Kurakanatha, who had been instructed in that science by Nathamuni himself.
After the disappearance of his Guru, Alavandara was accepted as the head of the Vaishnava community. Whilst he was the acarya at Sri Rangam, he wrote 4 books of Vaishnava philosophy, as well as many prayers in glorification of the Supreme Lord Shree Narayana.
In particular he was devoted to the writings of his ancestor Nammalvara, which he recited constantly and taught to all of his disciples.
Eventually the king of the Cholas and his queen were also converted, and they dedicated themselves to the worship of Lord Vishnu.
All the devotees in South India adored Yamunacarya for his renunciation, learning, humility, and steadfast devotion".
Cited from
"Lexicography of Ramanujacharya"
by T. Rengarajan 2013 edition
OCR by Vishnudut1926, Moscow, December 2017
