Ramanuja – Best Student
The best student will withstand any difficult tests put forth by the teacher. Sri Ramanuja heard from Mahapurna (Peria Nambi) that Goshti Purna (Thirukoshtiyur Nambi) of Goshtipuram (Thirukoshtiyur) has the valuable meanings of the last sloka of Lord Krishna (“sarva-dharmân parityajya”).
Sri Ramanuja went to Thirukoshtiyur to hear the inner meaning of Charama Sloka. However, Nambi, sent him back 18 times.
Despite this, He returned to Thirukoshtiyur each time with confidence and ultimately learned the valuable meaning of Charama Sloka. This is an indication that He was the BEST STUDENT.
Ramanuja – Best Teacher
The greatest virtue of the Best Teacher is to transfer his knowledge completely to his disciples. While Thirukoshitiyur Nambi explained the inner meaning of Charama Sloka to Sri Ramanuja, he got a promise from Sri Ramanuja that this would not be revealed to the underserved.
However, Sri Ramanuja requested that his disciples Kooresa and Dasarathi to whom he wished to transfer the meaning. Thirukoshitiyur Nambi granted the permission for the same.
Kidambiachan (Atherya Ramanujacharya), is one of the disciples of Him once during the Bhagavatha discourse, Achan was serving drinking water to the participants, and he observed that the Achan was recklessly serving the water.
Sri Ramanuja went to Achan slightly hitting on his back mildly with his stick and instructed him to serve with care. This way, He proved that attribute of “BEST TEACHER” by correcting the mistakes of his disciples.
Several such incidents prove that He was the “BEST TEACHER”.
