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Venkatachala at Tirupati, Tirumala
|| Om namo Venkateshaaya Sriniasaaya Mangalam ||
Venataadri samam sthaanam brahmande naasti kinchana, Ventatesha samo Devo na bhuti na bhavishyati
( There indeed is no God like Lord Venkateshwara on Earth and none else like the self- manifested singular Deity worthy of faith and total dedication for now and for ever)
Crossing the Seven Hills of Vrishabhadri named after Nandi the Shiva Vahana, Anjanaadri of Lord Hanuman, Neeladri named after Shakti Neela Devi, Garudadri the Vishnu Vahana, Seshadri named after Lord Shesha the abode of Vishnu, Narayanadri named after Lord Narayana and finally the ‘Venkatadri’, is the popular Tirupati-Tirumala ‘Deva Sthaana’ in the State of Andhra Pradesh of India. This is one of the world’s wealthiest and most visited Hill-Shrines of Pilgrimage at a height of 3200 ft or 976 m approx. reachable on foot, road, rail and Air, beckoning the glittering Temple of ‘Suvarna Shikara’ or Golden Top par excellence. Around the Temple, the most significant places of interest included are Akaasha Ganga, Srivaari Sacred Feet, Paapavinashana, Sri Ramanuja Shrine, Swami Pushkarini, Varaha Swami Temple and so on.
Venkatachala Mahatmya
Being the Outstanding and World famed Tirupati-Tirumala Divya Kshetra, the most sprawling Temple Town of Balaji literally elevates the yatris to heights of Sacrifice and Faith on the bedrock of Dharma. Magnetising devotees from far and wide, the torrential flood of yatris is perennial here. Indeed Lord Venkateshwara is the wealthiest God of the World, crossing the hopes of the Pope in the Vatican City!
Shrinivasapuraa Vedaah Shri Nivasaparaa makhaah, Shrinivasa paraah sarvey tasmaadanyatra vidyhate/ Sarva Yagna Tapodaana tirtha snaane tu yat phalam, Tat plalam koti gunitam Srinivaasasya sevayaa/ Venkataadri nivasam tam chintayan ghatikaadwayam, Kulaikavimshatim dhutwaa Vishnu loke maheeyate!
(All the Vedas do merely propose Bhagavan Srinivasa only exclusively. All the yagna karyas do target Srinivasa only. Indeed, all kinds of Bhakti or devotion merge into and identify with Srinivasa alone. The totality of Yagjna, Tapa, Daana, Anushthaana and Tirtha Snaanas falls far short of Srinivasa seva! Those residents of Venkatachala engrossed in the true service of Lord Venkateshwara shall liberate the souls of the previous twenty one generations and qualify themselves too to Vishnu Loka). The yatris invarialbly halt over at Tirupati down the Tirumala’s Seven Hills where Govinda Raja Temple set up by Ramanujacharya with the Shesha saayi Narayana is the Main Attraction with some 15 smaller Deva Mandiras in and around the Sanctum. One of the Ashta Peethas of Ramajucharya is also significance here. Tirupati is also the Abode of Kodandra Rama, Devi Sita, Lakshmana and Huanuman. Once up the Seven Hills, the prime destination no doubt is that of Lord’s Divya darshana, yet the priminaries are the ‘Kalyana Ghattaa’ for the Hair Sacrifice, Swami Pushkarini followed by Varaha Swami darshana and then to the Q complex to Vaikuntha for the climactic experience of bliss.
Most significant Tirthas up the Hills are Akasha Ganga, Paapa nashana Tirtha, Vaikuntha Guha dhara, Pandava Tirtha, and Jaabali Tirtha. In the ‘Vaishnava Khanda’ of Skanda (Kartika) Purana, Varaha Deva gave ‘Upadesha’ (instruction) of the Sacred Mantra Om Namah Shri Varahaya Dharanyu Uddharanaya Swaha to Bhu Devi and its significance; the Mantra fulfills all desires and leads to liberation. A Manu called Dharma recited the Mantra persistently and attained Moksha; Indra chanted it and regained his throne that was occupied by demons therebefore and Anantha the Chief of Serpents secured such extraordinary strength as to hold the weight of Prithvi (Earth) on his hoods. Bhu Devi expressed her gratitude to Varaha Deva to have saved from the grip of Demon Hiranyakasipu as also taught the Great Mantra. She admired Varaha Deva for providing the power and perseverance to hold the weight of huge mountains and desired Him to describe to her the names of some of the illustrious Mountains the weight of which was borne by her. These include Sumeru, Himachal, Vindhyachal, Mandarachal, Gandha -madhan, Chitrakoot, Malyavaan, Pariyatrik, Mahendra, Malay, Sahya, Simhachal, Raivat and Anjana; in the South of Bharat the most significant are Arunachal, Hasthiparvat, Grudhrachal, Ghatikachal and most importantly the Narayana Giri or Venkatachala which possesses the Seven Tirthas in the Mountain Range viz. Chakra Tirth, Daiva Tirth, Akasha Ganga, Kumaradhari Kartikeya, Papanashani, Pandava Tirha, and Swami Pushkarini. Varaha Deva affirmed that in Krita Yuga, the most important Mountain Range was that of Anjanagiri; in Treta Yuga it was Narayana Giri; in Dwapar Yuga was Simhachal and in Kali Yuga again the most sacred mountain range is Venkatachala. In Magha month when Surya Deva is in Kumbha Rasi on Purnima day coinciding with the Makha Star, Skanda worships Venkateswara on the banks of Swami Pushkarini Tirtha at the noon time and devotees performing ‘Snaan’ and Puja as also ‘Annadaan’ are blessed by the Lord. Similarly, Snaans, worships and charities at Venkatachal are highly beneficial on the auspicious timings when Surya is in Meena Rasi on Purnima with Uttaraphalgini in Thumbha Tirtha; when Surya is in Mesha Rasi on Purnima with Chitra Star in Akasha Ganga at early mornings; when Surya is in Vrishabha Rasi in Visakha Shukla / Krishna fortnights on Dwadasi Sunday / Tuesday at Pandava Tirtha on evenings; on Sundays of Shukla / Krishna fortnights, coinciding Saptami at Papanashana Tirtha; on Brihaspati / Vyakteeta Yogya, Star Pushya / Sravana Mondays etc;
In Skanda Purana, Varaha Deva described to Bhu Devi that Emperor Akash decided to perform a Grand Yagna on the banks of Arani and while tilling, he found a girl child and as he was issueless, brought her up as their own, named as Padmavati. Once Sage Narad met Padmavati as she was grown up as an eligible bride and predicted that she would be the wife of Lord Srinivasa of Venkatachal. Almost immediately she met a Stranger in the Royal Garden and introduced himself as Anant or Veerapati from Venkatachala Mountain and that he was hunting a wolf. Padmavati’s companions rebuffed Ananta Deva that hunting was prohibited in their garden. Anantha returned but desired intensely that Padmavati should become His life partner and sent Vakulamala to the court of Emperor Aakash to negotiate their wedding. The Emperor had no bounds of joy and the holy wedding of Lord Venkateswara and Padmavati took place in style and grandeur when Devi Lakshmi was present to make Padmavati happy and comfortable, whereafter they all resided in Tirumala bestowing boons to lakhs of Devotees till date.
Varaha Deva narrated the background of Padmavati’s earlier birth as Vedavati to Bhu Devi. Vedavati was a companion of Devi Lakshmi and when the latter became Rama’s spouse as Sita, she left for forests to perform Tapasya, but demon Ravana misbehaved with her and she ended her life by jumping into fire and cursed Ravana that his entire clan would be wiped out because of a woman. Sita was abducted by Ravana by creating such circumstances that Maricha was converted as a Golden Deer; Sita took fancy for it and prevailed Sri Rama to chase the animal which deceitfully wailed as though Rama was in trouble and Lakshmana had to leave Sita alone even by drawing a Lakshman Rekha that none could cross. The vily Ravana dressed as a Tapsvi revealed his real form as soon as she was prevailed to cross the fiery Lakshman Rekha and forcibly took her to Lanka. After Rama killed Ravana, there was ‘Agni-Pariksha’ (Proof of Purity / by Fire), Sita came out unscathed. But the real fact was that Agni Deva hid real Sita in Patala and Agni’s wife Swaha assumed the role of Maya Sita; in fact Vedavati’s earlier birth was of Swaha Devi! Thus, Vedavati / Swaha turned to Maya Sita was Padmavati.
Devi Prithvi enquired of Bhagavan Varaha as to where and how to secure the ‘Darshan’ (Vision) of Lord Venkateswara and the former replied that He would mention of those future happenings as recorded in the past. There was a Nishad (Hunter) in Shyamak Jungle named Vasu and his wife Chitravati and Son Vira. Nishad was the Chief of his clan living honestly and peacefully by eating cooked rice and honey. Both his wife and he decided one day to a nearby forest to search for additional stock of honey and entrusted the responsibility of looking after his followers and daily chores to Vira, their son. The daily practice was that the family cooked rice and mixed with honey, offered the same as Naivedya to Venkatachalapati and ate the Prashad. But, Vira in their absence for the day offered some portion of the honeyed rice into Agni, some to tree bushes and the rest was consumed. On return from the other forest, Vasu became furious to learn that no offer of the honeyed rice was made to Venkatachalapati but gave it away as described above. Vasu felt agitated and remorsefully guilty and even tried to kill his son for what was considered as Sacrilege. Lord Ventatachal appeared before Nishad in full glory with His four hands, fully ornamented and armed and stopped Vasu from harming his son; he was completely taken aback. The Lord said that the acts of his son Vira were infact worth emulation and not condemnation for he did a homam (Offering to Agni); homage to Nature and only the remainder was consumed with dedication as ‘prashad’. Nishad was so happy that he heard this from Bhagavan Himself!
Varaha Deva also narrated an incident related to King Tondaman and Nishad. As an ideal Prince, he imbibed all the qualities required of a King, viz. of nobility, intellect, valour and devotion to Almighty. Once he took King’s permission for hunting in Venkatachal forests, chased an elephant, crossed the River Swarnamukhi and reached the Ashram of Brahmarshi Suka and an Idol of Goddess Renuka nearby. As he proceeded further, he found a ‘Pancharangi’ (Five Coloured) Parrot screeching the name of ‘Srinivasa, Srinivasa’ and followed the bird till the mountain top. There he met Nishad who informed that the parrot was very dear to Suka Muni as also to Bhagavan Srihari and hovered around the Pushkarini Tirtha; by so saying the Nishad desired to have a Darshan of the Lord and the Prince too accompanied him.Thondaman was indeed thrilled with the Darshan and witnessed the ‘Naivedya’ of Cooked rice and honey performed by Vasu Nishad. He was overpowered by the magnificent experience of the Lord and thereafter met Suka Muni and secured his blessings that soon he would become a King after his father’s retirement and serve Srinivasa for long time to come. A few days after Thondaman’s return to his Capital, he was made the King and started settling in his throne.
Suddenly after a few months, Vasu the Nishad approached the Palace in an agitated manner and told the King that he dreamt chasing a ‘Varaha’ which entered a thick bush, that he started digging up and swooned, that his son was also near him, that the Varaha entered his mind and body and made him say the following: ‘Nishada! You must reach King Todarman and ask him to perform ‘Abhishek’ with lots of milk to a ‘Shila’ (Stone) underneath this thick bush, pull it out and ask a ‘Shilpi’ (Sculptor) to prepare an Idol of my features with Bhu Devi on my left lap, set up plants of Tamarind and Champa as are loved by Vishnu and Lakshmi repectively and invite learned Sages and Brahmanas to attend a grand function to be hosted by Tondaman and wait for my further instructions.
The King followed the instructions as conveyed by Nishad and called Sages and Brahmanas to a Grand Puja of Varaha Deva and Bhu Devi through an underground passage and continued the daily practice of taking bath, worshipping the Murthis of Varaha and Bhu Devi and arranging ‘Prashad’ or the left-behinds of Naivedya to Brahmanas and visitors.As this practice got routinised and the interest of Bhaktas snow- balled gradually, a Brahmana stranger approached the King that he was on way to Kasi, Prayaga and a few prominent Tirthas but his wife was unable to travel as she was in the family way; he requested the King to provide accommodation and food to his wife and generally supervise her welfare. The Brahmana returned very late after several months but unfortunately the wife had a miscarriage and died just a couple of days before the return of the Brahmana after visiting several Pilgrimage Centers and Tirthas.The King got frightened at the tragedy as he gave a surety to the Brahmana’s wife and approached Srinisasa, who instructed that the Queens as well as the body of the Brahman’s wife should be made to take bath in the Asthi Sarovar Tirtha and as the queens took dips in the holy water and came out, the Brahmana’s wife too would emerge. The Brahmana was thrilled at the miracle witnessed by co-devotees!
Raja Todarman followed the practice of worshipping Srinivasa with golden lotuses daily. He found one day some Tulasi leaves pulled out from muddy plants and wondered how this indiscretion happened. As the King was wondering about this, there emerged a voice saying: “There is a pot maker (Kumhara) who also did daily Puja to me with the muddy Tulasi leaves from his house and that I have accepted his worship too!” The King reached Kurmapuri in search of the Kumhara, who replied to the King that he never ever did any puja to Srinivasa! But when the King said that there was a voice which said these words, the Kumahara and his wife recalled the voice of Srinivasa in their earlier births that as and when a King would knock their hut, and then a Pushpa Viman would arrive to pick them to Vishnuloka! Indeed that had just happened! The King returned to Venkateswara Temple to perform worship again after this unusual happening and Srinivasa appeared before Tondaman and bestowed him the blessing of a lasting Abode of bliss.
Parikshit, son of Abhimanyu of Pandavas, was no doubt a noble and virtuous King, but unfortunately did the unpardonable sin of hanging a dead serpent around the neck of Samika Muni who was in deep Tapasya and his son Shringi cursed Parikshit that he would be dead within a week as a result of a snake bite.Takshak was assigned the task of killing Parikshit but Brahmana Kashyap who could indeed have prevented the tragedy and even demonstrated his ability to do so, was won over by dubious means by Takshak and Kashyap who did the sin was sought to be washed off by a bath in Swami Pushkarini and worship to Srinivasa, as advised by Shakalya Muni. Indeed the sin of Kashyap was eradicated by the Grace of Lord Venkateswara.
Another illustration of the Sanctity of Snaan in Swami Pushkarini was given by Sutha Maha Muni to Rishis at a Congregation at Naimisharanya (The forest of Naimisha). A King of Chandravamsa called Dharmagupta was a rare example of nobility and virtue. He went hunting and by the evening desired to perform the Puja of Gayatri and was delayed to late hours and had to stay back on a tree. A lion came running after a wolf and ascended the same tree; it asked the King not to worry and would not hurt him in any way. It asked the King to come to an understanding that it would sleep off half night and he might sleep off the other half. The lion tempted the wolf to drop the King down and share a good portion of the King. The wolf rejected the proposal outright as ingratitude was a far heinous sin than the ‘Panchapatakas’ or the Five known major sins. During the other half of the night when the King was to guard the wolf, the lion gave a similar proposal to him; he accepted and tried to drop the sleeping wolf. But luckily, the wolf was saved and preached the King against ingratitude and gave a curse to the King to become a mad man. It said that he was a Sage, named Dhyanakashtha, who could take any form and told the lion that in his earlier birth he was a Minister in the Court of Kubera and was cursed by Gautama Muni to become a lion as he was standing naked in the Sage’s garden with his woman. As regards Dharmagupta’s curse for ingratitude, Sage Jaimini suggested a bath in the Sacred ‘Swami Pushkarini’on Venkatadri on the banks of River Suvarnamukhi, followed by worship of Lord Venkateswara.
Suta Maha Muni described that those who purify themselves in the Pushkarini would surely avoid hells named Tamisra, Andhamisra, Rourav, Maha Rourav, Kumbhipak, Kaalsutra, Asipatravan and such others.On the other hand, the devotees attain the ‘Punya’ of performing Aswamedha Yagna and achieve Buddhi (Intellect), Lakshmi (Wealth), Kirti (Fame), Sampatthi (Prosperity), Gyan (wisdom), Dharma (Virtue), Manoshuddhi (Purity of mind) and Vairagya (Other Worldliness). Krishna Tirtha is a Tirtha named after a deeply devoted Brahmana whose Tapasya was so severe and extensive that his body developed mole-hills (Valmikas) and Indra rained forcefully to wash off the mud. Lord Srinivasa was impressed by the relentless and highly dedicated devotion and blessed him with His Darshan, created a Tirtha after his name, declared that those who have the fortune of bathing in it would become as learned and focussed and bestowed Salvation to him.
Paapanaasha Tirtha is such a powerful place that even merely uttering its name, sins of the past and present get vanished. There was a Brahmana named Bhadhramati who had enormous knowledge of Vedas and Scriptures but was acutely impoverished having six wives and several children. His each day was a harrowing experience of poverty with several mouths to feed. One of his wives named Kamini told him one day that her father met Sage Narada who described Tirtha called Papanashana lying on the Venkateswar Mountain cluster was a big draw and a bath, preferably after giving away a small token ‘bhudaan’ to a deserving Brahmana followed by a darshan of the Lord would abolish poverty, and fulfil all human desires. This emboldened Bhadramati to travel along with his family to the Srinivasa Mountain. He was fortunate to obtain on way a token of five feet of land. The entire family took bath in the Papasahana Tirtha and gave away charity of the five feet of land to a deserving Brahmana. Bhagavan Vishnu had instantly appeared before Bhadramati; the latter was extremely thrilled at the darshan and eulogised Him as follows:
‘Namo Namasthekhila karanaaya, Namo namesthekhila paalakaya/ Namo Namestheyemara nayakaya Namo Namo Daithya vimardanaya/ Namo Namo Bhakthajanapriyaya, Namo Namah Paapavidaaranaya/ Namo Namo Durjananashakaya, Namasthesthu Tasmai Jagadeeshvaraya/ Namo namah Karanavamayaya, Naraayanaathivikramaya/ Shri Shankha chakraasi gadaadharaaya, Namasthesthu tasmai Purushottamaya/ Namah payoraasi nivaasakaaya, Namasthesthu Lakshmi pathayavyayaya/ Namasthesthu Suryadyamitha-prabhaaya, Namo Namah Punyagathaagathaaya/ Namo Namokyenduvilochanaya, Namasesthudey Yagna phalapradaaya/ Namastesthu Yagnaangavilochanaya, Namasthesthu thye Sajjanavallabhaaya/Namo namah Kaarana Kaaranaaya, Namesthesthu Shabdaadi vivarjitaaya/ Namasthethutheybhheshta sukhahpradaaya, Namo Namo Bhakta -manoramaaya/ Namo namasthedbhuta karanaaya, Namasthestuthy Manda radhaarakaya/ Namasthestuthey Yagnavarrahanaagney, Namo Hiranyakshavidaarakaya/ Namasthesthuthy Vaamana rupabhaaje, Namasthesthuthey Kshatrakulaanthakaaya/ Namastheshuthey Ravana mardanaaya, Namasthesthuthey Nanda sutaagrajaaya, Namasthey kamalaakaantha Namasthey Sukha daayiney, Ashritarthi nashiney tubhyam bhuyo bhuyo Namo namah/’.
As Bhadramati praised Lord Srinivasa, He blessed him to enjoy full-swing prosperity to him and family and attain Moksha to him thereafter. ‘Akasha ganga Tirtha’ was well known for bestowing boons to the highly erudite and dedicated Brahmana called Ramanuja. He did Tapasya of rigorous nature on the banks of Akashganga by standing with ‘Panchagni’ (Five flames) around him during the hot summer mid-days and under the sky in heavy rains fully exposed chanting the Ashtakshari Mantra ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’; he ate dry leaves fallen from trees for years together, for some years by drinking water and many other years by consuming air only. Finally, Bhagavan appeared and Ramanuja who was almost dying with the severity of his Tapasya became fully normal and healthy instantly.He received the boons that the Place of Akasha Ganga where Ramanuja had the fortune of discovering Vishnu in person would be an Eternal water-spring and those who performed ‘Snaan’would change his entire life style and become an ideal Bhakta and at the end they would have no other birth and would get salvation.
In an another context, Akash Ganga was immortalised as the Tirtha where Devi Anjana executed penance, since she and her husband Vayu Deva were not blessed with a son. Vishnu Bhakta Sage Matangi directed Anjana Devi to reach River Suvarnamukhi, far south of Vindhya Mountain, reach Vrishabhachal on whose top was situated the famous Swami Pushkarini, worship Varaha Deva and Venkateswara, proceed to north, find Akashaganga and perform Snaan in a formal manner along with Vayu Deva. The Sage confirmed that if the couple did so, a Son of unparalelled prowess and ‘Swami Bhakti’ (Loyalty to the Master) would be born, to be called Hanuman who was invincible by Devas, Raakshasas, Sages, Brahmanas, Celestial and human beings. As Anjana Devi followed the insructions to the last letter and spirit, Bhagavan Venkateswara appeared before her and blessed that such a Son would be born that his parents would indeed be proud of and play a pivotal role in Treta Yuga as the most powerful personality of ‘Siva Amsa’.
Besides the above, Venakatachal has quite a few other Tirthas like Chakra Tirtha where a Maha Muni Padmanabha prayed to Srinivasa to chase away the dread of Rakshasas and Bhagavan stationed His Sudarshan Chakra known for dispelling the fear of Evil Spirits; Varaha Tirtha, Pandu Tirtha, Tumba Tirtha, Kapila Tirtha, Kumara Tirtha, Jaraharaadi Tirtha Traya, Phalguni Tirtha, Deva Tirtha, Jabaali Tirtha, Sanaka Sanandana Tirtha, Asthi Sarovara Tirtha, Kataha Tirtha and Manvadyashtottara Tirtha. Thus the outstanding significance of Tirupati-Tirumala Deva’s unparalleled magnificence of Lord Venkateswara!
As regards Tirumala Giri Pradakshinas, several popular ‘Kavyas’ or well known local scripts describe as to how Maharshis like Gautama, Jaabaali, Kashyapa, Atri, Angirasa and their followers had performed holy baths at Pushkarini and having had the ‘darshan’ of Varaha Swami and that of Lord Venkateshwara the Principal Deity resort to Giri Pradakshina, especially on the most auspicious days like ‘Vaikuntha Ekadashi’.
On descending down the Hills,the ‘Parikrama’ route recommended as at present may cover the following spots from Alipiri at the foot hills after bathing in Kapila Tirtha viz. Charlapalli, Srinivasa Mangapuam, Arangampet, Kalyani dam, Bhakarapet, Yerravaripalem, Bodevandlapalli, Kotakadapalli, Prasad nagar, Jillelamanda, Basannagaripalli, Arogyapuram, Bucchivaaripalli, Sundupalli cross,Sanipaya, Rajampeta, Koduru, Karambadi, and Leelamahal Junction. The significance of performing the Giri Pradakshina on the Vaikuntha Ekadashi popular as ‘Mukkoti Ekadashi’ is that Three Crores of Devas, the Great Souls of Maharshis of the yore and of Devotees descend down from their celestial abodes.
Devi Padmavati
Maharshi Bhrigu stated as one of Brahma Manasa Putras like Narada, Vashishtha, Atri, Gautama etc. as also one of Prajapatis. What is more, Devi Lakshmi or Bhaargavi was Bhrigu’s daughter and the wife of Vishnu. Shukracharya the Rakshasa Guru of Nava Grahas fame was Bhrigu’s son too. Maharshi Bhrigu had accomplished many Yagnas and had helped others to accomplish them. With his powers, he fulfilled the wishes of people for begetting sons. During the two months of Shravana and Bhadrapada, he made the chariot of the Sun God as his abode. Bhrigu tests the Trinity and declares Vishnu as the Best: When a huge Yagna was planned and the question of deciding as to who among the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva should be considered the best as the Chief Guest, all the Maharshis requested Bhrigu to decide. He agreed and went first to Satya Loka, the abode of Brahma who was engrossed with His work of creation and did not receive the Sage properly. From Satya Loka, Bhrigu went to Kailash where Shiva and Parvati were busy with their cosmic dance. Then he reached Vaikuntha as Vishnu was relaxing with His consort and ignored the Maharshi’s presence and Bhrigu got angry and kicked Vishnu on His chest. But, Devi Lakshmi was Her abode the ‘vakshasthala’! Pretending that as though unaware of Bhrigu’s presence on arrival, Lord Vishnu readily prostrated to Bhrigu and apologised that Bhrigu’s feet might not have been hurt and started pressing the feet of Bhrigu, as Vishnu’s chest was like of hard like Vajra with several ornaments. Bhrigu was pleased with the Satvika nature of Vishnu and came back to the Rishis and proclaimed Vishnu as the best.!
Devi Lakshmi was no doubt hurt and got perturbed with her own father’s rude behavior at her husband but she could not curse the father especially as Lord Vishnu himself apologized of his indifference of Bhrigu’s presence and moreso she was the mother of the Universe herself being the form of benevolence. She was also moved at Vishnu’s graceful regretfulness and realised his action. Hence Devi Lakshmi was rather frustrated and shifted to another abode of her at Kolhapuri.
Described as Kollamma in Kollapura in Devi Gita of Devi Bhagavata Purana, Maha Lakshmi is settled at the Karavira Kshetra and is famed as the instant provider of propesrity of all types that Ashta Lakshmis would provide viz. Adi Lakshmi or Primeaval Shakti, Dhana Lakshmi (wealth), Dhanya Lakshmi (Food), Gaja Lakshmi ( Manifestation of Elephants or of Huge Magnitude), Santana Lakshmi (Excellent Progeny), Veera Lakshmi ( Courage and Intrepedity), Vijaya Lakshmi (Victory), Vidya Lashmi (Knowledge), Aishwarya (Opulence and Luxury), Rajya Lakshmi (Royalty) and Vara Lakshmi or the Priovider of all kinds of boons). Skanda Maha Purana states:
Yojanam Dasha he putra Kaaraashtro Desha durdharah, Tanmadhye Pancha koshaascha Kashyaadhikam Bhuvi/ Kshetram vai Mahat Punyam darshanaat paapa naashanam/ Tatkshetre Rushayah sarve Brahmana Vedapaaragah, Teshaam darshana maatrena sarva paapa kshayo bhavet/
(Karashtatra Desha’s length and breadth is ten yojanas and is difficult to achieve it without faith and devotion. In this Karavira Kshetra the singular Tirtha which is the destroyer of all kinds of blemishes even by its visit and vision; Veda Brahmanas and Rishi ganas assure that by its mere look itself the sins are dissolved). This memorable Kolha puri Kshetra is the permanent abode of Maha Lakshmi and is also believed to be one among the many Shakti Peethas where Devi Sati’s three netras fell down. The principal attraction at Kolhapuri of course is theMaha Lakshmi Mandir, nearby which are Pancha Ganga, Padma Sarovar, Kaashi Tirtha and Jagannatha Mandir. The Sanctum is readily approachable for worship by all males with dedication but females are forbidden to cross the threshold of the Shrine. Amba bai or Maha Lakshmi of one of the famed four Shakti Peethas in Maharashtra viz. Ambabai whose both sensitive organs viz. eyes of Sati Devi fell here, besides as Hingula or Tulja Devi, Renuka at Mahur, and Jwala Mukhi at Saptashringi Maatrupattana. Thus Devi Lakshmi to Kolahapura for long Tapasya having learnt that Vishnu assumed the Swarupa of Venkateshwara took the form of Padmavati, Lakshm’s alternate form. It was only far later that there was the combined effort of Devas and Danavas to secure Amrit and in the process Lakshmi got re-incarnated and finally Lakshmi-Vishnu union became possible!The Statue of Maha Lakshmi at the Kolhapuri Kshetra is stated to be of 5th century AD, as adorned by precious stones of great antiquity; She has four arms, the right lower holds a Matulunga fruit of the specie of a large lemon, her right upper hand holds a shield; the lower left hand a mace, and the lower right hand a bowl to provide boons. She wears a cobra hooded crown and a Shiva linga, while behind her is a lion. The window of the western wall of her sanctum is kept open through which morning Sunrays fall on the Idol. The Temple celebrates KiranUtsavas on January 31 and November 9 when the Sunrays fall on the feet o the Idol, on February 1 and November 10 the rays fall at the feet of Maha Lakshmi and on Feb 2 and Nov. 11 the rays fall on the entire body of Lakshmi. Ratha Saptami festival for three days in January is celebrated with awe and piety.
Indeed this incident proved to be a boon by the Almighty and the Maharshi Bhrigu was prompted to do so for Loka Kalyana especially since Devi Lakshmi too was childless till she subesquently became Devi Rukmini in Dwaapara Yuga! Meanwhile She took to deep penace, even as her father witnessed her as a child in a lotus flower with thousand petals. Maha Vishnu blessed her to take the births as Devi Vegavati and Devi Sita in Tretayuga, Devi Rukmini in Dwapara Yuga and as Devi Padmavati in Kali Yuga as the consort of Lord Venkateshvara! The latter searched for Lakshmi!
Tiruchanur: the Sacred Temple of Devi Padmavati down the Seven Hills of Lord Venkateshwara popularly named as Alavelu Mangapuram is less than two km from the outstanding ‘Kali Yuga Vaikuntham’! Even as ever Maha Devi Lakshmi is the Premier Partner ofMaha Vishnu through Yugas and Kalpas, he commenced residing along with her at Tirumala. Meanwhile, Devi Padmavati assumed the form of an Avatar of Lakshmi as the daughter of King Akashraja who found her on a Lotus Flower in a Sarovara and brought her up as his daughter. The King subsequently dedicated her as the Life Partner of Lord Venkateshrara Balaji eversince. Till the other day, the stream of visitors has been large enough and manageable but of late, especially the Brahmotsavas, the constant stream has assumed alarming proportions, more so the flood of yatris up and down the Seven Hills has become formidable!.
|| Om Namo Venkateshaaya Shrinivaasaaya Mangalam ||
( Composed and scripted by V.D.N. Rao )
