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?

The correct option is: The best means of salvation was devotion.

Background and Context
Sri Ramanujacharya (1017 - 1137 CE) was a highly revered philosopher, theologian, and social reformer who propagated the Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) school of Vedanta. The world's second tallest sitting statue, the Statue of Equality in Hyderabad, was built to honor his contributions to philosophy and social equality.

Explanation of Ramanuja's Teachings
According to Ramanuja's philosophy:
1. Bhakti (Devotion) as the Primary Means to Moksha: Ramanuja strongly advocated that the best and most reliable path to salvation (Moksha) is intense, unwavering devotion (Bhakti) to the supreme personal god, Lord Vishnu (Narayana), and His consort, Lakshmi. He described Bhakti as a continuous, loving remembrance of the Divine that culminates in the soul's communion with God.
2. Auxiliary Role of Knowledge and Action: Unlike schools that focused solely on dry intellectual knowledge (Jnana) or ritualistic action (Karma), Ramanuja proposed a synthesis. He argued that scriptural study and moral duties are important because they purify the mind, but they are ultimately stepping stones to generate supreme devotion. Without loving devotion, dry logic or rituals cannot grant liberation.
3. Prapatti (Total Surrender): Ramanuja also taught the doctrine of Prapatti (self-surrender), which holds that anyone, regardless of caste, gender, or social background, can achieve salvation simply by surrendering completely to the grace of God, reinforcing the central role of devotion in his teachings.

Why Other Options are Incorrect
- Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative: While Ramanuja accepted the authority of the scriptures, this specific theological formulation is the core doctrine of the Purva Mimamsa school.
- Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss: Ramanuja held that intellectual arguments and dry logic cannot lead to the highest spiritual realization; only devotion and divine grace can.
- Salvation was to be obtained through meditation: Ramanuja did not advocate for abstract, objectless meditation as the direct path. Instead, he taught that spiritual practice must be centered around loving, devotional contemplation of a personal deity.