RAMANUJA, styled Sri Ithruthyskar. a philo sopher, the founder of the Sri l'alalinava sect of Ilyulue, is sometimes suppoaed to be identical with Yeinbara 31aiimar, the last of the Alvh. His philosophy is the so - called Visislasdwalts system. Ile was born at Stripennatur, 25 tones west of Madras, about the early part. of thc 12th century, and was educated at Kanclii or Con jerveram, where also he taught his aystern of the tuslinava faith. Ile afterwards welded at Ranga (near Trichinoixily), wonihipping Vishnu as. Sn. Itanga Natha, and there composed his principal works. He then visited various parts of India, disputing with the professors of different creeds, overcoming thein of course, and reclaiming various shrines then in possession of the Saivas for the worshippers of Vishnu, particularly the celebrated temple of Triputty. On one occusion, Ramanuja was compelled by persecution to flee to Mysore, where he converted Vitala Deva, the Jaina sovereign, and others to Vaislinavisin: After twelve years' absence, on the death of the Chola king, his persecutor, Ilatrianuja returned to Sri Itanga, where he spent the remainder of his life. Ile was a voluminous writer. lie is said to have been
able to introduce tho worship of Vishnu into Triputty in N. Arcot ; to have founded 700 =dim or religion's monasteries, one of which still exists at Mail Cottah in Mysore ; he also established 74 hereditary offices of guru, the representatives of which still exist at Conjeveram. The followers of Ramanuja in 31ysore still are to be seen as a separate class, speaking Tamil in their families and Carnatica in public. His followers are known as the Ramanuja or Sri Sarnpradayi sect Their worship is addressed to Vishnu or to Lakshmi and their incarnations, and they assert that Vishnu is the supreme cause. They draw their doctrines from Vedanta works, the Vishnu, and other Puranas. They aro scrupulously secret in the preparation and consumption of their meaLs.
RA3fASANTIRA KAVIRAYAR WLS born at Rajanellur, but lived at Madras, where he died in the middle of the 19th century. lie wrote the dramas Sakantati Vilasatn, Parata l'ilasam, Tarnka Vilasam, Iraniya Vasakappar, and Intukum Szindai Nadakatn.
liA31ASAW3IY, a Hindu name very common in the south of India ; a silver cigar-lighter.