There is a growing tendency to dismiss the events around historical figures of the past as myths that fail the test of modern research. This thread focuses on such criticisms in the life of Ramanujacharya and proves why they are wrong. jayasreesaranathan.blogspot.com/2018/07/ramanu…
More iconic is a figure of the Indian past, the more are the doubts raised about the narrated-story. This was seen in Andal’s story by a Tamil lyricist and in the dismissal of Ramanuja’s life as a myth by a renowned archaeologist. Rama and Tyagaraja Swamy were also not spared. 
The iconic stature of Ramanuja attracts history-researchers who tend to dismiss the two events in Ramanuja’s life: The recovery of murthy of Melkote from Delhi sultan and persecution of Ramanuja by the Chola king.
Does Ramanuja’s life fail the test of modern historical methods? Modern methods are about primary and secondary sources of evidence which are nothing but Pratyaksha (perception) both direct and indirect, in traditional Indian method.
It is here traditional Indian methodology of research comes to our rescue. 2 techniques of research among a group of 6 are relevant for modern historical research also. They are Shabda and Anupalabdhi.
In the historical research on Ramanuja the pramāna texts are those composed by ancient ācharyas on the life history of Ramanuja. “Yatiraja Vaibhavam” (YV) written by Vaduga Nambi, a contemporary of Ramanuja is the primary source to know his life.
As a test of reliability, the birth details of Ramanuja given in this text are checked and found to be true.
YV tells about Ramanuja’s visit to Delhi in two verses and refers to ‘Dilleesha’ – the Lord / ruler of Delhi as one from whom he got the Utsava murthy of Melkote. Dilleesha is referred as ‘Turushka’ – a reference to Turks in the texts that came up after Ramanuja’s times.
Who was he? Were there Turks or people of Islamic faith living in Delhi at that time? Did any Turkish ruler come up to Melkote and take away the riches of the temple including the Murthy? (continued in part 2)
The current thread can be read at jayasreesaranathan.blogspot.com/2018/07/ramanu… Ramanuja is a history -1 (Modern vs Traditional research methods)
