Lord Venkateshwara : Benign Presence and Benevolent Grace

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple: Vimanam and Gopuram (Wikimedia)

Tirumala Temple as seen from Srivari Padalu on Narayanagiri hill (Wikipedia)

Malayappa swami along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi during the annual Vasanthotsavam ceremony (Wikimedia)

Harati to Lord Venkateswara

Lord Venketeshwara is also known as the Lord of seven hills (Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.)   The seven hills are believed to represent the seven hoods of Lord Adisesha. The holy abode Lord Venketeshwara is at Venkatadri or Venkatachala, the seventh peak.

No one could find an equal place like Venkatadri and no god is so benevolent and graceful than Lord Venketeshwara. Tirumala Tirupati is considered as one among the 108 Divya Desams (Praised Al wars – Vaishanava Saints). There are about 202 hymns sung by nine Alwars i.e, Perialwar (7 hymns), Andal (16 hymns), Thiruppaan Alwar  (2 hymns), Kulasekaralwar (11 hymns), Thirumazhisaialwar – (14 Hymns), Poigaialwar (10 hymns), Boothathalwar ( 9 hymns), Peialwar ( 19 hymns), Nammalwar ( 52 hymns), Thirumangaialwar 62 hymns), Grand Total 202 hymns.

1.    The Holy Hymns of Alwars, Asthta-Dasa Puranam, the Hindu epics and Shastras praise the benign presence and benevolent grace of the Lord Venketeshwara. Every Hindu considers that a pilgrimage to Tirumala and Tirupati is a unique soul-stirring experience. The importance of the pilgrimage to Tirumala and Tirupati is explained in Rig Veda and Puranas.

2.    On your way to the main temple complex (about one kilometer away), you will find the most ancient (2500 million years old) and rare  structured and decorated stones called ‘Sila Thorana’ and such kind of rare kind of stone formations will not be found anywhere in the world.  It is believed that the icon of the Lord found in the Sanctum Sanctorum also belongs to this age.

3.    Therefore on the icon of the Lord always maintains a standard temperature of around 110 degree Fahrenheit. Is it not a surprise? There is always a cold climate prevails around this 3500 feet tall hill temple. On Thursdays before the ablution or abhishekam the temple priests (while removing the robes) find that the icon exhibits warm temperature. As soon as the priests complete ablution or abhishekam (during early morning 4.30 am), the rare stone icon show water particles like human sweating. The temple priests gently wipe the water particles from the icon using a fine silk cloth.

4.    You can prostrate yourself and worship the prime deity Lord Venketeshwara, awesome eight feet tall icon, at the Sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The ‘Anandha Nilaya Diva Vimanam,’ dome like tower above the Sanctum sanctorum, is guild ed with glittering gold sheets.

5.    You can witness Namam (thick white mark worn by Vaishanavites on their forehead) on the forehead of the Lord. The temple priests used draw this thick double patched white religious mark on Lords forehead using Pachai karpooram or refined camphor. You will also find a thick red line drawn using Kasthuri.

6.    You can also see the Lord adorning golden headgear embedded with precious emerald stones. During the occasions of Brahmothsavam festival, the Lord will be adorned with the thirty crore rupees worth diamond headgear or crown.

7.    You will find two bright golden ear ornaments called ‘Makhara Kundhala.’ The right hand of the Lord bears golden Chakra (weapon) embedded with gems and left hand holds golden Sankha or Conch.

8.    His ear’s are bedecked with shinning golden. The fist of his right raised hand is implanted with a gem-set chakra and the corresponding left fist is with the Sankha.

9.    You can see the rare ‘Salagrahma’ linked with gold and appearing like a huge garland. This ornament weighs about twelve kilograms and this can be adorned to the Lord with the help of three priests. Another ornament adorned by the Lord is known as ‘Surya Kadari’ and this one weighs about five hundred kilograms. What you see covering the Lord’s feet is known as ‘Pada Kavacham’ which is weighing about three hundred and seventy five kilograms.

10.    The unique ‘blue stone’ is a very rare piece and you will not get any similar piece in any part of the world. Do you know the value of this piece alone? It is about one hundred crore rupees only. 

   
11.    The prime deity in other Vaishnavite shrines normally poses with His weapons like holy wheel (sudharshana Chakra), Conch (panchajanyam), mace (Gomodhakee – gathai), bow (Sarngam), sword (Nandhakam). However at Tirumala the Lord poses with Chakra and Sankha. The Lord is described as the Lord without weapons or Nirayudhapani.

12.    The tamarind tree is considered as the holy tree (Sthala vriksham) of this shrine.

13.    You may be surprised to note that the priests use ‘vilva’ (Aegle marmeolus) leaves are submitted to the Lord during archana on Fridays as well as during Dhanur month (December 15 – January 15).

14.    On the occasion of Mahashivratri (Great Night devoted to Lord Shiva), a kind of festival called Shetra Palika’ is celebrated at this temple.  On this auspicious day the Urchava Moorthy (idol used to take out in a palanquin for procession) is adorned with a jewel resembling like vibuthi streaks (basmam used to apply on the foreheads of Saivites).

15.    Do you know the age of the beautiful paintings as well as murals? It is about three hundred years old. The paintings/murals at the Tirupathi are over 300 years old.

Inscriptions

16.    The total stone inscriptions found inside the temple complex amounts to 1180 numbers. The inscriptions spans over a period of 1079 years (from 830 AD to 1909 AD). Most of them are in Tamil (1130 numbers) and only 50 of them are in Telugu or Kannada. They are categorized according to their periods. Some 236 numbers are related to the rulers of Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas. Another 169 numbers are related with the Chalukya rulers. Some 229 numbers are related with the Telugu emperor Krishna Devaraya and some other inscriptions in relation with prominent rulers of Vijayanagara Kingdom include Achutha Rayar (251 numbers) and Sadasiva Rayar (147 numbers). The remaining 139 numbers belongs to the Kondai Veedu Kings.

17.    The stone inscriptions and the copper plates found in this temple reveals that early rulers of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have offered prayers to the Lord and to mention a few like rulers of Pallava Kingdom of Concheepuram during 9th Century, rulers of Chola Kingdom of Thanjavoor during 10th Century, rulers of Pandya Kingdom of Madurai of the same period and the rulers of Vijayanagar (Andhra Pradesh) during 14th – 15th Century. The precious jewels offered as endowments by these ancient rulers are still preserved in this shrine.

18.    It is estimated that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is in possession of about 20 tones of gold and rarest diamond jewelry. Most of these precious jewelry items can be conveniently categorized as ancient and belonged to 12th century or before. Another interesting estimation is that the value of jewelry properties may be around rupees one lakh crore and the figure is almost equal to half of the budget of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

19.    A replica of the prime deity Lord Venketeshwara in a miniature size was installed in the year 966 AD. All ablutions are performed for this icon and decorated with the jewelry. The inscriptions inform us about the offer made by the Pallava Queen Kadavan Perum Devi, the wife of the Pallava ruler Sakthi Vidangan. The offerings include jewelery and other items. Also there are inscriptions and other evidences to inform about the endowments created by the Chola emperor First Kulothungan.

20.    You can also find the idols of the great emperor Krishnadevaraya with his two wives at the main temple complex.

21.    Also there are evidences about the endowments established permanently to the Lord by the well known Raghoji Bhonsle, the Maratha General.  He has also donated precious jewels like large sized emerald stone to the Lord. Other rulers who have endowed jewels include the Mysore rulers and the rulers of gadwall.

22.    It is surprising to note that the rulers of the East India Company like Sir Thomas Monroe and Col. Geo Stratten also paid homage to the Lord. There was special offering called Monroe Thaligai
23.    In the recent past the Karnataka Tourism Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy offered the most precious ‘diamond studded crown’ to the Lord. The headgear bears diamonds worth of rupees forty two crores.

24.    You will be surprised to hear that there was huge donation made by an anonymous donor and the amount was estimated as 1100 crore rupees. The donor simply made arrangements to drop fifty gold bricks (valued about 240 million US Dollars) in the hundi.

25.    The Lord’s inner robes are prepared by the tribal community known as Chenchu. They also prepare the inner garments for the Goddess Alamelu Manga. They observe extreme devotion and keep themselves away from liquor and meat.

26.    Do you know that the outer robe (Mel Saththu Vasthiram) offered to adorn the Lord is costing Rupees Twenty Thousand only. The devotees are offering this robe to the Lord. TTD accepts only fifteen pieces every day. If you want to offer one such piece to the Lord, you have to wait for TEN years for your turn from the date of remittance of your money. The State Government of Andhra Pradesh offers two such pieces every year.

27.    The silk costume (saree like robe) has definite length and breadth and the length is about 21 arm lengths (one arm length is equal to one and half feet) or 31 ½ feet and this costume weighs about six kg. The robe will be adorned to the Lord only Fridays. Such a kind of robe cannot be manufactured or purchased in the market. If you are desirous of offering one such robe to the Lord, you have to pay rupees twelve thousand five hundred only at the TTD office and you have to keep waiting for about THREE years for you to get your turn.

28.    The Temple Priests will do ablution or abhishekam to the Lord everyday during early morning between 04.30 and 05.30 a.m. It is strongly believed that the Lord opens His THIRD eye during ablution or abhishekam. The ablution or abhishekam water is passed to the Pushkarani (Temple Tank). Hence a dip in the Pushkarani is also considered as holy.

29.    The cost of the ablution or abhishekam costs Rupees ONE LAKH only. If you want to perform ablution or abhishekam to the Lord you have wait for THREE years for your turn. TTD gets the most important items required for ablution from different countries:

a.    Saffron – Received from Spain
b.  Kasthuri (An important perfume substance with fragrance is obtained from the Musk Deer) – Received from Nepal
c.   Punugu (Another perfume substance obtained from a kind of specific cats) – Received from China.
d.   Some Other Perfumes – Received from Paris (France)

30.    The temple staff keep themselves engaged in the preparation of perfume paste for Friday Abhishekam on Thursday night. The specific place meant for this preparation is named as Parimala room.

31.    Many more perfumeries are also obtained from China and to mention a few – akil wood, Camphor (Chinese variety), clove (lavangam), niryasam, saffron, thamalam, sandal wood, thakkolam.
32.    Do you know where from the roses are imported for the Lord? Yes. The fresh and rare rose flowers are packed and airlifted from Amsterdam, the capital of The Netherlands. Do you know the cost of each rose flower? It is rupees eighty only.

33.    Legend says that Lord Kuberan (Lord of Wealth and North Direction) has remitted huge wealth to Lord Venketeshwara to celebrate His marriage with His consort Goddess Padmavathi (Alarmelmangai). Due to this reason devotee comes to Tirupati and donate money, jewels and other offerings. The Lord can settle Lord Kuberan’s debts using the donations offered by devotees.

34.    Sri Andal is one of the twelve Vaishanavite Saints (Alwars) and she is the only Saintess. She is also known as Kothai Nachiyar. Sri Andal belonged to the period of 8th century. She lived at Srivilliputhur, another important Diva Desam located at the South of Tamil Nadu. Andal means (Girl who ruled the Lord Vishnu). She used to offer flower garland to the Lord after wearing herself (Choodi kodutha Chudarkkodi). Even today the flower garland adorned by Sri Andal is being brought to Tirumala and adorned once again to the Lord.

35.    The madapalli (kitchen attached to the temple) is huge and equipped with gadgets to produce  ‘Neivedyam’ (offerings to God) like appam, athirasam,  badam kesari, cashew nut kesari, curd rice,  dosa, jilebi, laddu, milagu vadai, murukku, payasam, poli, rava kesari, tamarind rice, other variety rices, vadai and others in a mass scale. However the temple priests offer curd rice in a fresh mud pot or vessel as neivedyam. All other menu items prepared as offerings to the Lord will not cross the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. If any devotee obtains either mud pot or the curd rice offered as neivedyam from the priests, he is definitely considered as the one blessed with grace of the Lord.

Reference

1.    TTD depends on donors for daily floral needs http://expressbuzz.com/topic/ttd-depends-on-donors-for-daily-floral-needs/149721.html
2.    Valuation of Tirumala jewels to be over by June http://expressbuzz.com/topic/valuation-of-tirumala-jewels-to-be-over-by-june/176438.html
3.    Tirupati’s Lord Venkateswara weighed down by crowns http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tirupatis-Lord-Venkateswara-weighed-down-by-crowns/articleshow/4809811.cms
4.    Astonishing Wonders and Miracles of Thirupathi http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/14060713/959990929/name/ASTONISHING+WONDERS+OF+THIRUPATHI.txt
5.    Offerings pour in for gold plating of Tirumala temple http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/Tirupati-Balajis-jewels-to-get-52K-crore-cover/articleshow/6483019.cms

Lord Venkateshwara : Benign Presence and Benevolent Grace by Muthusamy R published in Relijournal on December 30, 2010

Youtube

Balaji Abhishekam Lord Srinivasa - Tirumala Tirupati - Venkateswara abhisheka ttd venkatesa

Tirupati Venkateswara swamy 60 years old rare video footage. Original shoot in tirumala

150 crore year history of Lord Venkateshwara - Tv9 

 

Azhwars and Vaishanvism

Azhwars - Principal Devotees of Sriman Narayan.

Azhwar means one who is "immersed" in the experience of God. They deeply immerse themselves in their devotion and bhakti towards the Lord Sriman Narayanan. The Vaishnava tradition in India reckons 12 Azhwars. There was socialism in the Bhakti cult and Azhwars come from all walks of life and all strata of society. Out of these 12 Azhwars, one was a woman (Andal) and two were kings (Kulasekaraazhwar and Thirumangaiazhwar). The first three Azhwars, viz., Poigai Azhwar, Boothath Azhwar and Pei Azhwar, were called "Mudhal Azhwars" as they lived during the same period. Out of the 12 Azhwars four were from different regions of Tamil Nadu, India, i.e. Thondai Naadu (North Tamil Nadu), four from Pandiya Naadu, three (south Tamil Nadu) from Chola Naadu (East Tamil Nadu) and one from Malai Naadu (present Kerala).

Period of Azhwars.

The period of the Azhwars based on Indian Historians range from 500 A.D for Poigai Azhwar, Bhoothatth Azhwar, Pey Azhwar and Thirumazhisai Azhwar; 550 A.D. for Namm Azhwar and Madhurakavi Azhwar; 600 A.D. for Kulasekara Azhwar and Peria Azhwar; 650 A.D. for Sri Andal; 700 A.D. for Thoddaradippodi Azhwar and Thiruppaan Azhwar and 750 A.D. for Thirumangai Azhwar.

Revitalization of Vaishnavism.

Between the fifth and ninth century, in the Tamil-speaking land of India, Azhwars revitalized the Indian religious milieu, sparking a renewal of the Bhakti cult. Traveling by foot from place to place, from temple to temple, from holy site to holy site, they composed exceedingly beautiful poetry to their Divine Beloved, Vishnu, as an expression of their love for Him.

Holy Hymn 4000 on Sriman Narayan.

The Azhwars composed approximately 4000 Tamil verses (known as Pasurams) called "Nalayira Divya Prabhandam." By 850 AD, the compositions of the Azhwars had become almost totally extinct in the Tamil country. In the 9th-10th centuries, the philosopher-saint Nathamuni went to extraordinary efforts to recover these verses from near oblivion. Nathamuni arranged them as the Divya Prabandham, or Divine Collection, set many of them to music, and rejuvenated the tradition of formally reciting them in temples.

The List of Holy Hymns by Azhwars.

Each Azhwar's personal experience of God shows that He is accessible through sincere and humble devotion. They have sung 4000 songs praising the supreme. Details are given below (with titles of the songs:

1. Poigai Azhwar - Birth Place: Thiruvekoo (Kancheepuram) Mudhal Thiruanthaathi. He expressed the Para Bhakti by his songs.Demonstrated that the Lord is the essence of the Vedas.

2. Boothath Azhwar - Birth Place: Mamallapuram Irandam Thiruanthathi. He expressed the Para Gnanam by his songs.

3. Pey Azhwar - Birth Place: Mylapore (Chennai) Moondraam Thiruanthaathi. He expressed the Parama Bhakti by his songs. Revealed the truth of the Lord's consort, Goddess Lakshmi.

4. Thirumazhisai Azhwar - Birth Place: Thirumazhisai (Chennai) Naanmugan Thiruanthaathi, Thiruchandavirutham. He expressed the reality of the supreme by his Knowledge--who is the supreme, what are his qualities, etc. Affirmedthe truth of the Almighty and the need to remain focused on Him without distractions.

5. Nam Azhwar - Birth Place: Tirukurugoor (Azhwar Tirunagari) Thiruvirutham, thiruvaasiriyam, Thiruvaaimozhi and periya thiruanthaathi. Converted the entire Sanskrit Vedas in to four Tamil prabhandams. That's why he is called Vedam Tamil seitha Maaran sadagopan. Propagated the principle of surrender as the means and end of attaining liberation.

6. Madhurakavigal - Birth Place: Thirukollur (Azhwar Tirunagari) Kanninunsiruthambu. He expressed the Acharya Bhakti in his songs. He enjoyed Krishna Avatar in his songs from the childhood of the Lord Krishna.

7. Peria Azhwar - Birth Place: Srivilliputhur Periyazhwar Thirumozhi. Sensitized us to the Lord's infinite mercy and compassion when he spontaneously sung "Tirupallandu" to the Lord wishing Him longevity and protection against evil.

8. Andal - Birth Place: Srivilliputhur Thiruppaavai and Naachiyaar Thirumozhi. Andal's devotion and bhakti was supreme love for Lord Vishnu. It was different from other commons. It was the spontaneous outpouring of Prem towards her Beloved. She vowed that Lord Vishnu would be her lover and her husband. She believed that her bhakti would show the way in getting married to Lord Vishnu. She invoked her Lord by chanting the hymns of Thiruppavai and Naachiyaar Thirumozhi. She chose the early morning hours in the Tamil month Margazhi (14 Dec - 13 Jan) to chant the hymns. She was thinking that Lord Vishnu is her Lord and also her reality. All wordly things are not permanent (only illusion). Reaching and attaining bliss in the company of Lord Vishnu was considered by her as 'REALITY.' She was able to reach and got married with Lord Vishnu as vowed by her. Of the 173 hymns composed by her, the 30 hymns Thiruppaavai are well known among people.

9. Thiruppaanazhwar - Birth Place: Uraiyur (Trichy) Amalanaathipiran. He enjoyed the beauty of Lord Sri Rang Nathan. He said that he would never like to see anything after seeing the Beauty ofthe Lord.

10. Kulasekara Aazhwar - Birth Place: Thiruvanjikkallam Perumal Thirumozhi. Taught by example the value of Vairagya (ability to renounce worldly objects even when in the midst of them). He enjoyed the Rama avatar as well.

11. Thondaradipodi Azhwar - Birth Place: Thirumandangudi Thirumaalai text shows the barathvam of the supreme and Thirupalliezuchi songs are being prayed at temple daily at the vishwaroopam time. Stressed the path of worshipping God's devotees and taught the lesson of humility, without which it is impossible to realize God.

12. Thirumangai Azhwar Birth Place: Thirukurayalur (Thiruvali) - Periya Thirumozhi, thiruvezhukkootrirukai, Siriya thirumadal, periya thirumadal, thirukkurunthaandagam and Thirunedunthaandagam. He had the unique distinction of having visited more than 86 holy places (Sri Vaishna Divya Desams) dotted all over the country and worshipped all the Divya Desa Emberumans and sung praising the deities therein in his six Prabandhams wherein he has poured out his Divine emotions.

Anyone can see why their poetry was so attractive, at once both impassioned and philosophical, their words cut across all barriers of caste and class, attracting all to their faith. In doing so, they sculpted a new religious heritage of intensely emotional bhakti, or love of the Divine, whose impact is still felt today in the Indian religious life.

Tamil Veda and Tenkalai Tradition.

There are two Vedas in Vaishnavism. The first one is Sanskrit Veda. The other one, Nalayira Divya Prabandham, is considered to be the Tamil Veda. Northern-branch Vaisnavism gives precedence to the Sanskrit (Vatakalai) and the Southern-branch, Vaisnavism (Tenkalai) to the Tamil Pasurams.

108 Holy Vaishnava Shrines or Divyadeasm.

Sri Vaishna Divya Desams: The 108 Divya Desams or Tirupatis (Sriyah Pathihi) are sacred places were sung upon by Azhwars, the ultimate devotees of Narayana. In the SriVaishna sampradayam or tradition, a Divya Desams is a temple whose Perumal or Lord has been sung about by at least one Azhwar. This is called "mangalasasanam." Among the twelve Azhwars, only 11 composed hymns on the 108 Divya Desams. Poykai Azhwar composed hymns on 6 Divya Desam, Boothath Azhwar on 13, Pey Azhwar on 15, Thirumazhisai Azhwar on 17, Namm Azhwar on 37, Kulasekar Azhwar on 9, Periya Azhwar on 18, Sri Andaal on 11 and Thondaradippodiy Azhwar on 1, respectively. Madhurakavi Azhvaar glorified Namm Azhvaar in his hymns.

There are 106 on the Indian Subcontinent (105 in India and 1 in Nepal). The remaining two, Tirupparkadal and Srivaikuntam, can be accessed only when one leaves this world. The Tirupparkadal is the "ocean of milk" and the Srivaikuntam is the domain where LORD NARAYANA presides.

Appearance of His Revered Idols.

Emperumaan, Lord Sriman Narayanan is found in various Thirukkolam. The Thirukkolam (Appearance of His revered Idols) in 108 Divyakshetrams are listed below:

Kidantha Thirukkolam (Sleeping Posture) - 27 Divya Desams

Veetrirundha Thirukkolam (Sitting Position) - 21 Divya Desams

Nindra Thirukkolam (Standing Position) - 60 Divya Desams

Out of these 108 Divya Desams, as we have seen that The Lord (Perumal) is appearing in various Thirukkolam (Postures), he is also facing his Thirumugham (Face) in various directions and giving his seva darshan, as below:

The Lord appears facing Towards East direction at 79 temples, facing towards West direction - 19, facing towards North direction - 3 and facing towards South direction in 7 temples.

Recitation of Pasurams. Nathamunigal established an oral tradition of recitation of pasurams down the ages. The traditional recitation (recited with enactments by a traditional devotee) is named Arayar Sevai. Arayar Sevai is performed even today at Srirangam, and at Srivilliputtur and Azhwar Tirunagari (and at Melkote in Karnataka). Ahwar Pasurams are recited everyday without fail in most of the Vaishna shrines in Tamil Nadu.

To sum up, the Azhwars found themselves "immersed" in the experience of God. They have revitalized Vaishnavism with their Tamil Veda. The 108 Holy shrines or Vaishnava Divya Desams are considered as the abode of Shriman Narayan. The Holy Pilgrimage to these shrines is considered as the sole objective of every Vaishnavite. The tradition of Tenkalai is established and followed in South India.

Required Tools:

* Nalayira Divya Prabandham, is considered to be the Tamil Veda.
* The 108 Divya Desams or Tirupatis (Sriyah Pathihi) are sacred places were sung upon by Azhwars
* The traditional recitation are recited with enactments by a traditional devotees is named as Arayar Sevai. Arayar Sevai is performed even today at Srirangam, and at Srivilliputtur and Azhwar Tirunagari (and at Melkote in Karnataka).

Quick Tips:

* The Vaishnava tradition in India reckons 12 Azhwars. They deeply immersed themselves in their devotion and bhakti towards the Lord Sriman Narayanan.
* Between the fifth and ninth century, in the Tamil-speaking land of India, Azhwars revitalized the Indian religious milieu, sparking a renewal of Bhakti cult.
* The Azhwars composed approximately 4000 Tamil verses (known as Pasurams). It is called as “Nalayira Divya Prabhandam”.

Useful Links:

* About 12 Azhwars
* Divya Prabandha – Wikipedia