The world's second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja ?

Correct Option

Ramanuja, a prominent philosopher of the Vishishtadvaita school of Vedanta, taught that Bhakti (devotion) is the most effective and supreme means for attaining salvation (moksha). His philosophy emphasized a qualified non-dualism where the individual soul (jiva) is distinct from but inseparable from Brahman (God), and devotion to a personal God (Vishnu/Narayana) is the path to liberation.

Incorrect Options

Option 2: While Ramanuja accepted the authority of the Vedas as eternal and self-existent, this statement alone does not fully represent his primary teaching on the means to salvation. He integrated Vedic philosophy with the path of devotion, giving precedence to Bhakti as the practical means for liberation.

Option 3: Logical arguments (Jnana Yoga or rational inquiry) were more central to the Advaita Vedanta school, particularly championed by Shankaracharya, as a means to realize the non-dual nature of Brahman. Ramanuja's system, while not rejecting reason, primarily advocated devotion as the essential means for ultimate bliss.

Option 4: Meditation (dhyana) is indeed a significant spiritual practice in various Hindu traditions, including Yoga and certain Vaishnava practices. However, Ramanuja's central teaching for achieving salvation was Bhakti, which encompasses devotion, surrender, and service, rather than meditation being the sole or primary means.