a. By whose teachings were Ramanujacharya influenced?

Question

Read the following passage. 

Ramanujacharya born in South India in the eleventh century was deeply influenced by the Alvars. According to him the best means of attaining salvation was through intense devotion of Vishnu. Vishnu in His grace helps the devotee to attain the bliss of union with Him. Ramanuja also ensured a place for people of lower castes in temple worship. He propounded the doctrine of Vishishtadvaita or qualified oneness according to which the soul even when united with the Supreme God remained distinct. Ramanuja’s doctrine greatly inspired the new strand of bhakti, which developed in north India subsequently. 

Now answer the following questions. 

a. By whose teachings were Ramanujacharya influenced?

b. What was the best means of attaining salvation according to Ramanujacharya?

c. What was the doctrine propounded by Ramanujacharya?

d. What does Visishtadvaita means?

e. What is the other name of Visishtadvaita?

Answer 1

a. Ramanujacharya was influenced by Alvar’s teachings.

b. Intense devotion to Vishnu was the best means of attaining salvation according to Ramanujacharya.

c. Visishtadvaita.

d. Visishtadvaita means the soul even when united with the Supreme God remained distinct.

e. Qualified oneness.