The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?

Answer: A. The best means of salvation was DEVOTION (BHAKTI). RAMANUJACHARYA (traditionally ~1017-1137 CE) was the foundational philosopher of VISHISHTADVAITA VEDANTA (qualified non-dualism) and a central acharya of the SRI VAISHNAVA tradition. His doctrines: (A) CORRECT. Ramanuja taught BHAKTI (loving devotion to a personal God, Vishnu/Narayana with Lakshmi) as the highest means of salvation (moksha). He developed the doctrine of PRAPATTI (total self-surrender) as accessible to all, including women and 'lower' castes, in contrast to the elite Vedic ritualism. This devotional emphasis became central to the Sri Vaishnava and later Bhakti traditions. Why other options are LESS specifically attributable: (B) 'Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative' is more strongly associated with PURVA MIMAMSA philosophy (Kumarila Bhatta, Prabhakara). Ramanuja accepted Vedic authority but situated it within his Vishishtadvaita framework, not as his distinguishing teaching. (C) 'Logical arguments as essential means for highest bliss' aligns more with NYAYA philosophy, not Ramanuja's bhakti-prapatti path. (D) 'Salvation through meditation' fits YOGA and ADVAITA (Shankara) traditions more squarely. Ramanuja distinguished himself by elevating bhakti above jnana/dhyana as the surest path. The Ramanuja statue at Hyderabad (Statue of Equality, 2022, inaugurated by PM Modi) is 216 ft tall and was at the time the second tallest statue in sitting pose globally. Source: NCERT Class 12 Themes in Indian History Part II (Bhakti-Sufi chapter).