From Hagiographies to Biographies: Ramanuja in Tradition and History

Based upon a number of historical sources, the volume examines long-term trends that have enabled situating Ramanuja, who is associated with the Vaisnava tradition, within the tradition of the Srivaisnava community as well as in the empirical historical situation. It studies the actions of Ramanuja, his image as an acharya and the manner in which Srivaisnava beliefs came to be projected in relation to him. It elucidates the deep interplay between religious convictions, social processes and historical situations and how this contributed to the processes of writing about and projecting Ramanuja to his followers and others with specific reference to the hagiographical narratives. It discusses the nature of Srivaisnava hagiographies for the purpose, the notion of a canon and its relation to community identity. It explores the themes in the guruparampara that evolved the image of Ramanuja as an exemplar acharya of the community.