Mahapurna was born in a Vaishnava family and lived in the eleventh or twelfth century CE. He was a disciple of
Yamunacharya, whom he helped with the management of the
Ranganathasamy temple at
Srirangam. He was instrumental in bringing Ramanuja into the Sri Vaishnava fold. According to tradition, Ramanuja is described to have heard the chanting of the
Stotra Ratna of Yamunacharya by Mahapurna. He learned about Yamunacharya from Mahapurna, and travelled to Srirangam to meet him. Mahapurna initiated Ramanuja with the performance the Pancha Samskara ceremony at
Madurantakam, a place located 40 km from present day
Chennai. Yamunacharya passed away before they met each other. Mahapurna is described to have been blinded under the orders of the
Chola king [kirumikanda chola], who adhered to
Shaivism. ==References==