Ramanuja and the Revival of Bhakti

Abstract

During the early part of the eleventh century, there appeared a bright star in the Indian philosophical scenario in the form of Bhagavad Rāmānuja. It was a time when Indian Philosophy was at cross roads, because of raging battles among rival schools of philosophy. Buddhism had just started receding from India after having fought brave battles for a long time – a few centuries – with schools like Nyaya-Vaiśeṣika, Mimamsa, etc. Though Buddhism disappeared from the scene, it yet had made deep impact on the orthodox schools. The influence was so much that though particular philosophical schools refuted any allegiance to Buddhism, rival schools did make bitter accusations against them as being Buddhistic, based on their formulating their theories on the lines of Buddhism. For instance the Nyaya-Vaiśesika was accused as ardha-vaināśika (half Buddhist) by Śri Śankara and he himself in turn was accused as pracchanna-bauddha (a concealed Buddhist) which was beyond the head of the common man. Though numerous scholars were appearing and composing works under every philosophical school, yet the common laity could not find anything for themselves in any of these schools.