Jai Hanuman
Jai Bedi Anjaneya Swami
Jai Vijayaraya
Jai VyasaRaya
Jai Laxmi Padmavati Sameta Venkatesha
Sri Srinivasa Kalyana... Glory of the Venkatachala Hills
The story of Srinivasa Kalyana appears in 12 puranas. The mahima Sri Ventachala hills comes in two puranas, viz. Varaha Purana and Bhavishyottara Purana ( upa purana for Bhavishya Purana).
The narration in Bhavishyottara Purana is what is generally narrated for this purpose.
The story Srinivasa Kalyana is for the kalyana of everybody. As mentioned by Sri VijayaDasaru in his deveranama "Olidu bakaturigage maduve havanisikonde sulabha devara deva Vijaya vitthalaraya"
Sri Laxmi Narayana have nitya kalayana no vigoya (no seperation) at all even for an instant.
It was first narrated by Sri VedaVyasa to his disciples
Later by Sri Soota muni to Sri Shuka muni, the munis request Soota muni; now that you have narrated the mahima(importance) of Sri Ranga, Kadagiri, Sri Kalahasti ; we wish to know the importance of Sri Venkatachala mountains. Please tell us the importance of Sri Venkatachala hills.
Sri Soota Muni replies that, previously Shatananda muni had narrated this story to Janaka Maharaja, I shall narrate the story as told by him now.
The munis request Sri Soota muni to tell them the context of the narration.
Sri Soota Muni replies, Janaka Maharaja was the father of Janaki Devi. He was enjoying his royal life, his brother Kushadhwaja was taking care of the administration of the kingdom. After 80,000 years of royal luxury, one day he felt like it was based on his power that he was enjoying such luxury. Thus a little pride entered into him. That night he had a dream that his brother Kushadwaja died and his wife commited self immolation. Jankaraja was left with taking care of the kingdom, one of his own daughter, three daughters and one young son of Kushadwaja . He also had to get the four girls married into the same kingdom.
Once he woke up from this dream, he was perturbed. At the same time, by arrangement of Sri LaxmiVenkatesha, Shatananda Muni happened to visit Janaka Raja. Janaka Raja welcomes him respectfully and after the muni is relaxed, he places his fearful dream in front of him.
Shatananda Muni mentions that the remedy for all problems is to listen to Sri Venkatesha Kalyana story and starts the narration.
The importanace of Sri Venkatachala hills:
Shatananda Muni starts by descriing the importance of Sri Venkatachala hills, if you understand the importance of Sri Venkatachala hill range it is like understanding the importance of Sri Venkatesha.
This hill range has four names during four yugas viz.
a) Kruta Yuga - Vrishabachala
b) Treta Yuga - Anjanachala
c) Dwapara Yuga - Seshachala
d) Kali Yuga - Venkatachala
Upon inquiring, by Janaka Raja; Shatananda Muni describes the glory of each name in detail
a) Kruta Yuga - Vrishabachala
Synopsis - Asura named Vrishabasura was killed by Sri Vishnu here
During Kruta Yuga, there was an asura named Vrishabhasura he used to trouble the muni's in the hill and he used to worship a Narsimha Saligrama. The method of worship was however tamsic, everyday after finishing his worship; he would cut his head and offer it to the Saligrama like a Shira-pushpa. The head would get rejoined immidiately. After doing this for 10,000 years, the sages in the hills requested Sri Vishnu to kill him. Sri Vishnu agreed; appeared before Vrishabasura and asked him for a boon. Vrishabasura asked for war with Sri Vishnu as his boon. Sri Vishnu laughed at his stupidity, others do penance for getting long life; but this asura has done penance to die at my hands. A grim battle ensues and finally when Sri Vishnu is about to kill him, he asks for his final wish. Vrishabasura mentions that he is Sri Vishnu's dasa and requests that the hill be named after him. Sri Vishnu agrees and uses his Sudarshana chakra and sepreates his head from his body for the last time. Hence the mountain is called Vrishabachala in Kruta Yuga.
b)Treta Yuga - Anjanachala
Synopsis - Anajana Devi gave birth to Anjenaya here
Matanga muni advised Anjana devi to appease Vayu devarau on Vrishabachala near Akasha Ganga. Kesari kapi had obtained the same boon from Bharadwaja Muni. Kesari killed Shankasabhala rakshasa in Gokarna, thereby making the trip for Bharadwaja Muni very pleasing.Anjana devi fasted and worshiped Vayu devaru on this mountain for one year. Then Vayu appeared before her and gave her a fruit and that's all she would eat for that day. This process continued for twelve years, one fruit each day. Then finally Lord Vayu gave her a special fruit and as soon as she ate that fruit, Anjaneya was born.
* Birth of Anjaneya is symbolic of birth of Jnana and Bhakti, also the subtle message of Ekadashi is also embedded here. Ekadashi is the fast dedicated to Shri Hari observed on the 11th day of every fortnight. Praying to Vayu Devaru means fasting on ekadashi surviving on just Vayu and praying to Vayu Devaru. If we perform ekadashi with this intention and dedication Anjaneya will be born to us ( as explained earlier )
c) Dwapara Yuga - Seshachala
Synopsis - On request of Seshadevaru, Vayu named it Seshachala after Sesha was defeated by Vayu in the contest
During Dwapara Yuga, Adishesha was gaurding the gates, when Vayu came to see Shri Hari. Sesha refused to let Vayu in, his logic was since Shri Hari always reclines on him; he is superior to Vayu. Vayu's counter logic is even if a cat is always in the house, if the king wants to go out of the palace he summons his elephant. Hearing the commotion Shri Hari comes out and asks Sesha devaru for the cause of the commotion. When Sesha explains the situation; Shri Hari suggests a contest. Sesha wraps his hoods around the Anandagiri peak of Meru parvata and protects it from Vayu, Vayu in turn has to blow away the peak. No sooner the contest starts, Vayu easily blows away the peak along with AdiShesha for 51,000 yojanas and finally gently lets it down at the eastern side of the Swaranamukhi river.AdiShesha then asks for forgiveness and Vayu blesses him that Shri Hari will rest on the peak brought down by him in KaliYuga.
d) Kali Yuga - Venkatachala
Synopsis - To highlight the fact that even the most gravest of sins are burnt up by merely climbing up these hills
A brahmana named Madhava lived with his wife and aged parents during Kali uga. One day he desired sensual pleasure from his wife. His wife objected mentioning that it was daytime, the agnihotras were burning, his aged parents were at home. But his mind was bent on it, she asked him to meet her near the lake close to their home. On his way there, he saw a chandala girl by the name Kuntala and decided to go after her. He sent his wife back home and he sought out Kuntala. Kuntala refused, saying that his body was purified by vedic chanting and pure customs. He refused to listen to reason, ran after her and forced himself on her. Kuntala was angry at him on this and demanded that he cut his tuft, drink liqour, eat cow meat and never go back home again. He readily agreed and stayed with her for twelve years, after which she died. Madhva became crazy on her death and was roaming and wandering aimlessly. By chance one day, he joined a pilgrim group travelling to Seshachala. The group halted at Kapil Theerta to offer obliations to their ancestors, Madhava just mindlessly imitated their actions. They began to climb the hills, Madhava too accompanied them. While climbing the hills, Madhava started vomiting all the way. All his sins were being purged by vomiting. Before long, Lord Brahma appeared before him and advised him to take bath in Swamy Pushkarni and leave his body. Brahma devaru assured him that Lord Vishnu would be his son-in-law in his next birth. For the sin he had commited, leaving his body was the only way to be released for it. To highlight the importance of the hills, it was renamed as Venkatachala ( Destroyer of mountains of sins and troubles )
Madhava brahmana in his first janma was Kushadhvaja Mahaaraja, and in his second janma, he was Kushakeshu, Bheeshmaka Raaja in his third, Madhava Brahmana in his fourth Janma and finally as Akaasha Raaja in his fifth janma
Thus this how the mountains got four names in four yugas.
Hearing the reasons for these names is enough to burn down the gravest of sins.
Vrishabhachala - means one who is steady in dharma ( virshba means bull symbol of dharma )
Anjanachala - means one who is steady in bhakti and jnana
Seshachala - means one who is steady in pancharata agma ( essence of Bhagavad Gita )
Venkatachala - means one who is steady in burning up mountains of sins
So if one incorporates all these qualties, Sri LaxmiVenkatesha will always stand in such a person.
Another intresting point to note is
Vrishabachala proves Hari Sarvotamma
Anjanachala proves Vayu Jeevothamma
Seshachala proves Vayu Jeevothamma
Venkatachala proves Hari Sarvothamma
so Hari-Vayu, Vayu-Hari :)
Just the names of the hills itself echo the tattva of Hari Sarvothamma Vayu Jeevothamma !!!
BharatiRamana Mukhyapranantargata Shri Krishnarpanamastu !
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Hello Hrishikesh,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very informative post. Thanks !
Is there any procedure to be followed when going to tirumala. In this post you have mentioned that tarpanas has to be offered at kapila theertha before proceeding to the top of the hills. Elsewhere i had heard that you have to visit the padmavathi temple at tirupathi before you climb the hills..
Are you aware of the correct procedure while visiting this sacred place ? ie
first have to go here.. and then tarpanas here.. and then to this theertha etc..
thanks
I can tell you the procedures I've heard of
ReplyDeleteTake bus to Tirumala from Bangalore
1) Freshen up at tirupati, perform anhika
2) Reach Alipiri(foot of hills),
3) Climb Tirumala hills - Immense Punya, depends on your physical condition.
4) Visit Bedi Anjaneya temple, prostrate before temple and then go to room.
5) Visit Swami Pushkarni sarovara, do sandhyavandane; leave surya arghya.
6) Visit VarahaSwamy temple
7) Either before or after darshan, try visit papa vinashanam or swami vari paadu(Sri Hari first kept his feet here on the hills). There are numerous other tirthas in Tirumala.
8) Once you descend from the hills, visit to Padmavati temple is must. (Tirchanoor)
Other temples mentioned in the Srinivasa Kalyana are Kapleshwara (Rudra temple), Kapil theerta. There is also SrinivasMangapuram where the actual marriage took place and Sri Venkatesha and Padmavati spent six months before climbing the hills.
Sometimes I've taken a tirumala bus, gotten down at Alipiri and started climbing directly, saving time by not going into town.
Climbing the steps is a big pooja in itself. Infact even today among Madhvas it is called mettalottsava - A festival of steps
Where by people sing HariDasa bhajanes all along.
Sri VijayDasaru used to perform Saligrama pooje every 100 steps, Sri Vadirajaru has climbed the hills on his knees; because he could see the whole hills as a saligrama. There is a detailed description of the Tirumala hills in Srinivasa Kalyana.
If you need any information, please ask.
Hope this helps.
Jai Bharateesha,
Hrishikesh