It was indeed Swami rAmAnujA started the trend. He spread the branches of Sri Vaishnavism far and wide, accepting disciples from even the so-called lower castes. Never did he differentiate between two bhAgawathAs on the basis of caste. He brought people from all castes under the vase umbrella of Sri Vaishnavism. Those days, lakhs of people thronged Srirangam; it is unfortunate that this sight can be seen only in a place like puttaparthi- sign of degeneration of kali!!
The Brahmins in the SrivaishnavA fold are termed as ?sAthina SrivaishnavAs? and the bhaktAs from other backgrounds are referred to as, ?sAthadha SrivaishnavAs?. In a way, it is better to be a sAthAdha Srivaishnava as life can be totally dedicated to bhagawath-kainkaryam, and there won?t be any worries about performing SandhyAvandanam, tharpanam, etc.
Does Sri Ramanuja any where say that one need not perform sandhyavandanam etc.?
Once a group of vaishnavAs from Andhra approached Swami rAmAnuja; they had immense desire to perform bhagawath kainkaryam. rAmAnujA accepted them into the fold. When the naysayer started questioning their castes, Swami rAmAnuja answered that they belong to the same caste of the nityasUrIs of vaikuntha!! Swami rAmAnuja honored even the smarthAs (for e.g. the traditional veena-artistes) in Srirangam, MAdhwAs are given temple responsibilities, even barbers, cobblers, washer men were all honored in Srirangam, and such is the greatness of Swami rAmAnujA!!During Ramanuja's time, there were no Madhwas. How could he have given position to Madhwas?
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