Balaji, also called ‘Venkateshwara the king’, is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Venkateshwara is known as the only God who took birth to save people from the troubles of Kaliyuga. He will reside in the temple there until the end of Kaliyuga. At the end of Kaliyuga, Lord Vishnu’s other incarnation, Kalki, will take birth and destroy everything on earth.
This would happen when sins reach their peak, and there will be no humanity left. That would be the end of Kaliyuga, and Kalki will destroy everything, and the formation of a new Yuga will take place. For this reason, Tirupati Balaji temple is also known as Vaikuntha of Kaliyuga. Also known as ‘Kaliyuga Pratyaksh Daivam.’
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Two stories are famous about the Tirupati Balaji temple. One is from the Venkatachala Mahatyam and Varaha Purana. These two stories show that the land of Tirumala was pervaded by Lord Vishnu’s Incarnation. It is only after the 9th century that we see that Tirupati worship has become big. Chola, Rashtrakuta, Chalukya, Hoysala, and Pandya were at war but exchanging culturally.
Kerala, on the other hand, was going its separate way culturally. But the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Telangana, ruled by these kings, retained Tirupati worship in a big way. Incidentally, Sri Lanka of this period, which was influenced by Hindu kings, also came into the Tirupati orbit.
Ramanuja came into the scene in the 11th century and promoted Tirupati as a great Vaishnava center. But it was the Vijayanagara kings who propelled Tirupati into the giant pilgrimage center it later became. Purandara Dasa and Kanaka in Kannada and Annamacharya in Telugu sang praises of the lord there.
According to the Puranas, the Rishis headed by Kasyapa began to perform a sacrifice (yaga) on the banks of the Ganges. Sage Narada visited them at that time and asked them to tell him why they were performing the sacrifice and who would be pleased by it. Not being able to answer the question, the Rishis approached Sage Bhrigu.
To solve a direct ascertainment of reality, Sage Bhrigu first went to Satyaloka (the abode of Lord Brahma). There, he found Brahma reciting the four Vedas with his four heads in praise of Lord Narayana and attended upon by Sarasvati, and not taking notice of Bhrigu offering obeisance.
Concluding that Brahma was unfit for worship, Bhrigu left Brahmaloka for Kailasa. At Kailasa, Bhrigu found Lord Shiva spending his time pleasantly with Parvati and not noticing the Sage Bhrigu. Parvati drew the attention of Shiva to the presence of the sage. Lord Shiva became furious at the intrusion of Bhrigu and tried to destroy him.
The sage cursed and left for Vaikuntham. The angry sage went to Shri Vaikuntham. Shrimannarayana was reposing at that time on Adisesha with Shri Mahalakshmi at His feet in service. Finding that Shrimannarayana also did not notice him, the sage was infuriated, and he kicked the Lord on His chest, the place where Mahalakshmi resides.
At once, the Lord hastened to make apologies to the angry Sage and pressed his feet to allay the pain caused to the leg. In doing so, the Lord removed the eye in the foot of the Sage, which gave him power to defy the Devas. The Sage thereupon decided that Shri MahaVishnu was the most Supreme of the Trimurtis and told the Rishis the same.
They thereupon decided that Shri Maha Vishnu was the fruit of the Yaga, and sacrifice was offered to Him (Vishnu). At the commencement of the present Sveta Varaha Kalpa, the whole Universe was filled with water, and the earth was immersed in it. Lord Vishnu took the form of a White Boar and dived into the water to lift the earth. He slew the demon Hiranyaksha, who caused obstruction to him, and rescued the earth.
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Brahma and the other Devas extolled Shri Varaha at the time with the chanting of the Vedas and showered flowers on him for saving the Earth. Lord Vishnu decided to stay on Earth in the form of the White Boar for some time, to punish the wicked and protect the virtuous. This place thenceforward came to be known as Varaha Kshetra, and Varaha Kalpa began from that time.
After the departure of Mahalakshmi, Lord Vishnu left Vaikuntha in a forlorn condition and took his abode in an ant-hill on the Venkata Hill under a tamarind tree beside a Pushkarini. Brahma and Mahesvara, taking pity on the condition of Vishnu, made up their mind to assume the forms of a cow and its calf to serve him.
The Sun God informed Mahalakshmi of this and requested her to sell the cow and calf to the king of the Chola country, assuming the form of a cowherdess. The king of the Chola country bought the cow and its calf and sent them to graze on the Venkata Hill along with his herd of cattle. Discovering Lord Vishnu in the ant-hill, the cow every day emptied her under the ant-hill and thus fed the Lord.
Finding that the cow did not yield any milk, the Chola Queen chastised the cowherd severely. To find out the cause of the absence of milk, the cowherd followed the cow and hid himself in a bush and discovered the cow emptying her under over the ant-hill. Getting wild over the conduct of the cow, the cowherd aimed a blow with his axe at the head of the cow.
But the God rose from the ant-hill to receive the blow and save the cow. When the cowherd saw the Lord bleed at the blow of his axe, he fell and died. On the death of the cowherd, the cow returned bellowing to the presence of the Chola King with blood stains over her body. To find out the cause of the terror of the cow, the Chola King followed her to the scene of the incident.
Near an ant-hill, the King found the cowherd lying dead on the ground. While he stood wondering how it had happened, the Lord rose from the anthill and cursed the king to become an Asure because of his servant. Entreated by the king, who pleaded innocence, the Lord blessed him by saying that His curse would end when He was adorned with the Kireetam presented by Akasa Raja at the time of His marriage with Shri Padmavati.
Thereafter, Shrinivasa decided to stay in this Varaha Kshetra. He therefore requested Shri Varahaswami to grant Him a site for His stay. His request being readily granted, Shrinivasa ordained that a pilgrimage to His shrine would not be complete unless it is preceded by a bath in the Pushkarini and Darsan of Shri VarahaSwami, and that Puja and Naivedyam should be offered to Shri Varaha first.
Yashoda brought up Shri Krishna, the son of Devaki, in his early years. Yasoda was not blessed to witness the marriage of Shri Krishna with Rukmini, and she felt very sad. Shri Krishna promised to fulfil her desire in her next birth as Vakuladevi in his next Avatara as Shrinivasa. This Vakuladevi was sent to serve Shrinivasa by Lord Varahasvami, on whom she was attending till Shrinivasa came to Venkatachala.
Sometime after, a King named Akasa Raja, who belonged to the Lunar race, was ruling over Thondamandalam. He had a brother named Thondaman. Akasa Raja had no issue for a long time, and so he wanted to perform a sacrifice to obtain an offspring. While he was himself ploughing and grinding for the sacrifice, his plough turned up a lotus in the ground. On examining the lotus, the King found a female child in it.
The king was happy to find a child even before he performed a sacrifice and carried it to his place and gave it to his Queen to tend it. At that time he heard an aerial voice which said: “O King, tend it as your child and fortune will befall you”. As she was found in a lotus, the king named her Padmavati.
In the course of time, Princess Padmavati grew up into a beautiful maiden and was attended by a host of maids. One day, while she was spending her time in a garden picking flowers with her maids, Saint Narada approached her. Assuring her that he was her well-wisher, he asked her to show him her palm to read her future. He foretold that she was destined to be the spouse of Lord Vishnu himself.
Goddess Lakshmi with Raining Coins
At this time, Lord Srinivasa, who went hunting, chased a wild elephant in the forests surrounding the hills. In the pursuit, Shrinivasa was led into a garden, where Princess Padmavati and her maids were picking flowers. The sight of the elephant frightened them and their Princess. But the Elephant immediately turned round and saluted the Lord and disappeared into the forest.
Lord Shrinivasa came on horseback and saw the frightened maidens, and he was accosted by them with queries. Lord Shrinivasa explained to them about his birth and parentage. He enquired about their princess and her parentage and birth.
When he was informed that the Princess was Padmavati (lotus-Born), the foster Daughter of Akasaraja, he loved her and made advances to the Princess. He was repulsed with stones by the maids, and he urgently returned to the hills, leaving the horse, which fell on the ground. Vakuladevi, as usual, brought dinner to Shrinivasa comprising various delicious dishes.
But she found him lying on his bed, love-sick. She enquired about the cause of his sickness. The Lord informed her that unless he secured Princess Padmavati, he would not be well. Vakuladevi then asked him to tell her all about the Princess, who she was, and how he came to love her. The Lord then narrated the story of Padmavati’s previous birth and his promise to wed her.
In olden times, Lakshmi was staying as Vedavati in a Rishi Asrama in the forests. At that time, Ravana, the lord of Lanka, came there and tried to tempt her. Vedavati grew angry and cursed him that she would bring about his death. To fulfil her words, Vedavati entered into the fire, but the fire-God rescued her. He took Vedavati to his house and entrusted her to his wife to take care of her.
When Ravana was about to carry away Sita from Panchavati in the absence of Rama and Lakshmana, the Fire-God appeared on the scene and offered Vedavati to Ravana as the real Sita, who was kept with him by Rama to evade Ravana. Ravana took Vedavati to Lanka, thinking she was the real Sita, while Agni (Fire-God) took Sita to his house and asked his wife Swahadevi to look after her.
After the destruction of Ravana, Vedavati entered the fires when rejected by Rama. Then the Fire-God offered the real Sita to Rama. Rama then questioned her as to who the other lady by her side was. Sita informed Rama that she was Vedavati, who suffered all the tortures for her sake for ten months in Lanka and requested Rama to accept her also as his spouse.
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But Rama declined her request, saying that he was wedded to the policy of having only one wife during his lifetime, and he promised to wed her in her next birth as Padmavati, born as the daughter of Akasaraja when he will take the form of Shrinivasa. Thereupon Vakuladevi thought that Shrinivasa would not be happy unless he married Padmavati, and she offered to go to Akasaraja and his queen and arrange for the marriage.
On the way, she met the maid-servants of Padmavati returning from a Siva Temple. She learnt from them about Padmavathi’s love-sickness and went to the queen along with them. Akasaraja and his queen Dharanidevi became anxious about the health of their daughter. They learnt about Padmavati’s love for Shrinivasa of Venkata Hill.
Akasaraja consulted Brihaspati about the propriety of the marriage and was informed that the marriage was in the best interests. After the departure of Vakuladevi, Shrinivasa could not rest in peace. He doubted her success in the mission. He therefore assumed the form of a Yerukula-woman and entered the streets of the capital telling fortunes.
Padmavati’s maids saw her and invited her to the presence of their queen. The maid-servants went and informed the queen that the fortune-teller was hesitating to come into the palace without an invitation from the queen. The queen came out herself and invited the fortune-teller into the palace. The fortune-teller was taken to the presence of Princess Padmavati.
The fortune-teller saw the palm of the Princess and told the queen about the cause of Padmavati’s indisposition and advised her to give her in marriage to Lord Shrinivasa. She also told the queen that a lady would approach her shortly to formally request Padmavati’s hand in marriage on behalf of Shrinivasa. After the departure of the fortune-teller, Vakuladevi went to the queen along with the maids and informed her that she had come from Shrinivasa to request the hand of Padmavati in marriage for him.
Having consulted Brihaspati and heard from his queen about the prediction of the fortune-teller and the arrival of the messenger from Shrinivasa, Akasaraja decided to bestow his daughter on Shrinivasa, and he called the palace purohits to fix a Muhurtam for the marriage. Akasaraja informed his Ministers and other Officials of his intention.
Immediately, a letter was drafted to be sent to Shrinivasa, requesting him to come and marry the Princess. Akasaraja entrusted the letter to Sukamahamunin to be delivered to Shrinivasa. Suka went to Venkata Hill with Vakulamalikadevi. He presented the Patrika to Lord Shrinivasa, who felt pleased and sent his garland through him for Padmavati.
Immediately, Lord Shrinivasa called for a conference of the Gods to win their consent for His marriage with Princess Padmavati. To meet the expenses of the marriage, Kubera lent money to the Lord. Lord Shrinivasa started for the residence of Akasaraja with his consorts and Brahma and Siva, and his vehicle Garutman.
At the entrance, the Lord was received by Akasaraja with all honours and was taken in procession on a mounted elephant to the palace for the marriage. In the presence of all the Devas, Lord Shrinivasa took the hand of the Princess Padmavati and wedded her, and thus blessed Akasaraja. Contest between Adisesha and Vayudeva: During the Dwaparayuga, Vayudeva (the Wind God) went to Vaikuntam to pay his obeisance to Lord Shri Vishnu.
Goddess Lakshmi as Padmavati
The Lord was reclining in the company of Shri Lakshmi. The doorway was guarded by Adisesha. Vayudeva was incensed when Adisesha prevented him from entering Shri Vishnu’s mansion. Adisesha and Vayudeva began to fight with each other. When Lord Vishnu intervened, each was boasting of his superior valour and supreme might.
To test who was stronger, the Lord suggested that Adisesha encircle the Ananda hill, an offshoot of the Meru Mountain on its northern side, and that Vayudeva blow hard to try and dislodge the Ananda hill from Adisesha’s hold. The contest waxed furiously, and as the World trembled, Brahma, Indra and the other Divine Beings requested Adisesha to yield victory to Vayudeva for the welfare of the world.
Obliging them, Adisesha released his hold on the hill. As a result, Adisesha and the Ananda hill were blown away to the banks of the river Swarnamukhi. Adisesha was dejected by his defeat. Lord Brahma and the others appealed to him by saying that he would be merged with the hill Venkatadri, and Vishnu would reside on him.
Adisesha then metamorphosed into the vast Seshadri, with his hood manifesting itself as Venkatadri sustaining Shri Venkateswara, his middle as Ahobila supporting Lord Narasimha, and his tail as Shrisailam bearing Lord Mallikarjuna (Lord Siva). Restoration of the Earth by Adi Varaha – During the eight thousand yugas (the equivalent of a day and night for Brahma, the Creator), there was a raging fire, and everything on Earth was reduced to ashes.
Man had to forsake the Earth and seek refuge in Janaloka. At the approach of night (of Brahma), Vayu, the Wind God, blew furiously. Huge clouds were formed, there was torrential rain, and it resulted in Pralaya Kalpa (the Great Deluge). The Earth sank into the Patala loka and remained in that state for a thousand years (during a part of that night of Brahma).
Shri Maha Vishnu wanted to rescue the Earth. He assumed the form of Adi Varaha and proceeded to Pataloka. He fought a fierce duel with Hiranyaksa and killed him. He then slashed the water and brought up the Earth on his tusks. Brahma, the Devas, and the sages extolled Adi Varaha’s virtues by chanting the Vedic mantras.
They prayed to Him to re-establish the Earth as before. Adi Varaha obliged them and called upon Brahma to recreate the world. He expressed his desire to reside on the Earth to protect its people. He commanded his vehicle, Garuda, to fetch Kridachala (an extensive natural hill with lofty peaks, embedded with gold and precious stones, and which resembled Adisesha in shape) from Vaikuntam.
Garuda in Namaskaram Mudra
Garuda brought Kridachala and deposited it on a sacred spot (to the East of Swami Pushkarini) chosen by Adi Varaha. Adi Varaha stood within the divine vimana of Kridachala, which shone with many gem-studded gopuras. Brahma and the other holy personages requested the fearsome-looking Adi Varaha to assume a tranquil and composed look, and rest on the hill to protect men and grant boons to people unable to reach God through Dhyana Yoga (meditation) and Karma Yoga (doing one’s own duty).
Adi Varaha appeared with four arms and a white face. He was adorned with jewels and accompanied by Bhu Devi. He resolved to stay at Venkatadri, under a divya vimana, to grant the prayers of men.
Lord Balaji is shown or visualized having a Tilakam on forehead, ‘Shanku’/ ‘Conch’ on the left shoulder, ‘Cakra’/ ‘Disc’ on the right shoulder, ‘Bhudevi’ (Goddess Earth) and ‘Sridevi’ (Goddess of Wealth) at the heart, left hand in receiving posture, right hand in a bestowing posture, both hands are decorated with ‘Adisheshu’/snake and coins/prosperity pouring in at the feet. Lord Venkateswara is adorned with a multitude of ornaments.
Let’s look at the meaning/philosophy/practical view behind this, so that we are fully embodied in Balaji.
☸ Tilakam: Tilakam on Balaji’s forehead consists of two things – one ‘V’ or ‘U’ shape and the second of ‘bindu’ with a tail dropping into the ‘V’ or ‘U’ shape. The ‘V’ / ‘U’ shape implies the capacity to hold, a container, a field to nurture. The ‘bindu’ with tail and dropping into ‘V’/’U’ signifies the “Life Force’ being dropped into the container/field to get nurtured. Both the ‘V’/’U’ shape and the dropping ‘bindu’ together signify that Balaji holds life and humanity.
Further, when everyone who wears or sees the ‘tilakam’, (s)he is reminded of the core of humanity and Life. This keeps focus on Life eternity, enjoy Life, save Life, develop Life and everything related to Life is in front of you for taking Action that sustains Life. That’s another reason why the tilakam is on the forehead, which is the centre of ‘agna cakra’ in the human body and usually the main attraction in the human structure.
☸ ‘Shanku’ / Conch: In its traditional/religious sense, ‘Shanku’ / Conch is considered as the instrument to blow, signalling the arrival of auspicious time, event, person, etc. In the Mahabharata, Krishna blows his ‘Shanku’ named ‘Panch Janya’ at the beginning of the ‘Kurukshetra’, the epic war between the ‘Pandavas’ and ‘Kauravas’, the brothers.
Now, what is the answer if one asks the question: why only ‘Shanku’ / Conch, and not anything else to blow the sound signalling the time or event? The conch is a natural shell that was used as a body by a living creature in the ocean. It has the capacity to produce the reverberating waves of sound with thumping force that can generate alertness in the minds of everyone who listens to it.
Why not anything else that is made of something by humans? The simple reason is to indicate that to use the vast resources available in nature, particularly deep inside the oceans. Further signifying that we use the natural resources after their life is over, rather than taking the life of the creatures for human use.
Superfine Lord Venkateshvara as Balaji at Tirupati
The next question that can arise is why the ‘Shanku’ on the left shoulder and why not the right shoulder? This is interesting. Usually, in Hindu tradition, the left is used to denote the “given” things; thus, ‘Shanku’ is part of natural “given” things, and hence Balaji follows it by having it on his left shoulder.
☸ ‘Cakra’ / Disc: Balaji is considered the ‘Kaliyug Avatar’ of Lord Vishnu and thus uses the ‘Cakra’/ Disc as his weapon/instrument. There is a deeper meaning/philosophy behind using the ‘Cakra’. Cakra is nothing but a wheel, which is the original technological invention. If there is no wheel, there is no progress. You name anything; it would have an association with the wheel directly or indirectly.
Further, the wheel symbolizes the cyclic nature of things and nature itself. Thus, using ‘Cakra’ signifies the use of technology and discovering the nature to its core. The next question is having ‘Cakra’ on the right shoulder. The majority of human beings are ‘right-handed’ and use their right hand in their daily lives. Thus, it implies the use of technology in daily life.
Further, right signifies the efforts put in to create our own destiny. Hence, through the usage of technology in the right way, human beings create their destiny. This we can easily identify with the current age, where we have reached a stage of potential extinction of the human race with the nuclear arms race.
☸ Bhudevi / Sridevi: If we need to carry out anything, what do we need? We need money and other raw materials. It is expected that with the grace of “Goddess of Wealth” / ‘Sridevi’, you have plenty of money. Other raw materials are available from the “Goddess Earth” / “Bhudevi. Balaji, having these two goddesses at his heart, generates and bestows wealth on all who seek his blessings.
Intricate carvings, ancient inscriptions, glorious idols, and mystical environment greet the pilgrims who travel from different corners of the world to the holy city of Tirupati. Resting peacefully on the seventh peak of the Tirumala Hills, just to the north of the flowing Sri Swami Pushkarini River, A silvery facade greets the eye as one enters the complex.
Situated in Andhra Pradesh, this land is the abode of divine temples. The Dravidian-style architecture of multi-storied entrance towers and huge complexes fascinates every tourist who comes to pay homage at the sacred shrines. Brahmotsavam, the Hindu festival, is an auspicious festival celebrated every year at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.
The temple is illuminated with lights and candles during the grand festival and is revered as one of the most magnificently built temples in the world. According to legends, the origin of this festival is associated with Lord Brahma. It is believed that once Lord Brahma worshiped Sri Balaji at the catchment area of the holy Pushkarini River to thank the Lord for the fortification of mankind.
The festival derives its name from Lord Brahma since it was Lord Brahma who first conducted this festival at Tirupati temple. “Brahmotsava” which literally means “Brahma’s Utsavam”. The festival is celebrated with great zeal during October. The celebration of the Brahmotsava is performed over nine days.
On the very first day of the festival, the “Anurarpana” ritual is performed along with the celebration of Shri Vishvaksena. The “Anurarpana” ritual signifies fertility, abundance, and prosperity. During all nine days of the festival, various religious activities like homas and daily processions where various idols of the god are taken out in different chariots (vahanas) present in the temple.
The importance of this festival can be known by the fact that every year thousands of devotees flock to Andhra Pradesh to witness this majestic festival. They enjoy participating in the various rituals conducted during the nine days to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara Swami.
The devotes assimilated to take part in the auspicious festival often term the experience as a heavenly connection and blissful (“ Vaikunth Anubhav”). Firstly, the Gurudadhwaja Festival is hosted near Srivari Alaya Dhwajasthambham. Then a procession dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara proceeds on Pedda Seshavahana and covers four streets of the temple.
This goes on for two hours until midnight. During this festival, it is believed that the mighty snake altar itself is the vehicle for God. The main reason for celebrating this festival is to pray to God to provide a life that is filled with high values and morals.
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