Pillai Lokacharya

The Story

Pillai Lokacharya belonged to the lineage of teachers descended from Ramanuja at Srirangam, and he rose to lead the tradition in the thirteenth century. He is credited with the formulation of the doctrine of prapatti — that salvation comes not through one's own effort but through complete surrender to God's grace, like a kitten carried by its mother rather than a monkey clinging on its own.

His major work, the Shodasa Ayudha Stotram and more importantly his Tiruvaimoli commentaries and the Ashtadhyayi of the tradition, developed the philosophy of the Tenkalai school — the cat school — which emphasises God's sovereign grace and the utter dependence of the soul.

He lived in turbulent times, and the tradition tells of his miraculous protection during the invasions that threatened Srirangam. He is honoured as one of the greatest acharyas of the south, whose teaching of surrender has guided millions to a simple, confident faith.