108 Divya-deshams: Thiruvenkadam

BY: SUN STAFF

Thiruvenkadam

Jul 11, 2024 — CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Thiruvenkadam, the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple, is situated in the hills of Tirumala at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. This Divya Desham is dedicated to the worship of Lord Visnu as Venkateswara, with His consort Laksmi and Padmavathi Devi.

Lord Venkateswara appeared on the earth to save mankind from the trials and troubles of Kali Yuga, thus the site is also known by the name Kaliyuga Vaikuntha, and the Deity here is referred to as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam.

The temple is known by various other names, including Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Temple and Tirupati Balaji Temple. Venkateswara is likewise known by many other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa.

The Tirumala hills are part of the Seshachalam Hill range. The hills are 2,799 ft. above sea level (853 metres) and comprise seven peaks, representing the seven heads of Adisesha. Thiruvenkadam temple lies on the seventh peak—Venkatadri, on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini, a holy water tank. The temple is thus also referred to as Temple of Seven Hills.

Constructed in the South Indian style of architecture, the temple of Venkateswara was built by a Thondaman king with later assistance of the Cholas, Pandyas and Vijayanagar. Thiruvenkadam d is believed to have been constructed over a period of time starting from 300 CE.

The garbhagruha (sanctum sanctorum) is called Ananda Nilayam. The presiding deity, Venkateswara is found there in standing posture and facing east.

Among the many legends associated with the manifestation of the Deity in Tirumala, one about a murti of Venkateswara states that it will remain here for the entire duration of the present Kali Yuga.

During Dvapara Yuga, Adishesha resided on earth as Seshachalam Hills after losing a contest with Vayu. According to the Puranas, Tirumala is regarded as Adivaraha Kshetra. After killing Hiranyaksha, Adivaraha resided on this hill.

During Kali Yuga, Narada Muni advised some sages who were performing yagna here to decide who could be given the fruits of yagna among the Trimurtis (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). Bhrigu was sent to test the Trinity. The sage who had an extra eye in the sole of his foot visited Brahma and Shiva and went unnoticed in both these locations. He cursed Brahma to be not worshipped and Shiva to be worshipped as a lingam. At last he visited Vishnu and the lord acted as if he had not noticed Bhrigu. Being angered by this, sage Bhrigu kicked Vishnu in the chest, to which Vishnu did not react, and instead apologised to the sage by massaging his feet. During this pastime he squashed the extra eye that was present in the sole of Bhrigu's foot. However, Lakshmi fouind it an insult, since Vishnu's chest was considered her abode (vakshasthala), and Bhrigu kicking it indirectly insulted her. She then left Vaikuntha and came to Earth to Kolhapur, and began meditating.

Swami Pushkarni of Tirumala

In search of Lakshmi, Vishnu bore the form as Srinivasa and followed her, leaving Vaikuntha. He reached the Seshachalam Hills in Tirumala and began meditating. Lakshmi learned of this and called Shiva and Brahma, who then converted themselves into Cow and Calf. Lakshmi handed the Cow and Calf over to the Chola king ruling over Tirumala Hills at the time. The Cow would provide milk to Srinivasa daily while it was taken for grazing. One day a cowherd saw this and tried to beat the Cow with his staff, but Srinivasa bore the injury. Being angered by this, Srinivasa cursed the Chola king to become a demon, as dharma says sins committed by shudra servants should be borne by kings. The king prayed for mercy, after which Srinivasa said to him that the king should take his next birth as Akasharaja, and should perform the marriage of his daughter Padmavati with Srinivasa.

Srinivasa went to his foster-mother Vakula Devi on Tirumala Hills and stayed there for some time. After the curse, the Chola king took rebirth as Akasharaja and had a daughter named Padmavati, who was born in the Padmapushkarini situated in present day Tiruchanur in Andhra Pradesh. Srinivasa married Padmavati at what is known today as Narayanavanam, Andhra Pradesh, then returned to Tirumala Hills.

After few months, Goddess Lakshmi discovered the marriage of Srinivasa with Padamavati and went to Tirumala Hills to question Srinivasa. Srinivasa, unable to bear the quarrel between Lakshmi and Padmavati, turned into stone when he was encountered by Lakshmi and Padmavathi. Brahma and Shiva then appeared before the confused queens and explain the purpose behind all this - the Lord's desire to be on the seven hills for the emancipation of mankind from the perpetual troubles of Kali Yuga.

Lakshmi Devi and Padmavathi Devi also turned into stone deities, expressing their wish to remain here always. Lakshmi stays with Venkateswara on His chest, on the left side, while Padmavathi Devi rests on the right side of His chest.

(To be continued...)

Source: Wikipedia

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