Puttugam2

In the beginning of Kali Yuga, in the dynasty of Chola king , Sumeera became the king . He was blessed with two sons by names Aakasha and TondamAn . They were very strong and also very devoted to SriHari . Aakasha Raja became the king for TondamAn kingdom . He was righteously ruling the kingdom . He was married but did not have children for several years . He discussed the same with his ministers and scholars and was suggested to perform Yagna to be blessed with a son . The king initiated to start the Yagna and tried to perform Puja to the Mother Earth and started ploughing the field. He was able to plough smoothly but after a while , it got stuck as some hindrance was there . The oxen too were unable to proceed further .

Here we are reminded of the birth incident of Sita Mata . When they looked at the hindrance , they found a thousand petalled lotus flower. The flower emerged with a bright light making the ambiance too very bright . As Aakasha Raja went close to it and looked , he found a very cute baby resembling a fruit .

Aakasha Raja felt happy looking at the baby and said that it was really his own baby . He thought, “I began a yagna seeking a son; I got a daughter”. Suddenly a celestial voice was heard. It said that indeed the baby was his baby and that the king would become eminent only because of his daughter . Listening to this , Aakasha Raju became happier .

He warmly held the baby and put her In the hands of the Queen Dharani Devi saying that the baby was God given and that since she was found in a lotus , she should be called Padmavathi Devi . As Padmavathi entered the house , the queen Dharani Devi conceived and gave birth to a boy baby who was named as Vasudhanu. The king was happy with Padmavathi as she brought luck to him by getting Vasudhanu for the King .
Aakaasha Raja felt happy that all the auspicious changes had occurred only after the arrival of Padmavathi . The king was feeling endlessly happy as his daughter Padamavathy was passing through all the stages of Infancy , Childhood and Youth . Padmavathi was growing to be a very beautiful female resembling Lakshmi , Infact she was the incarnation of Lakshmi . It is like complimenting jaggery that it tastes just like jaggery. If we compliment any girl that she looks like Lakshmi , it is fine . But how can we say the incarnation of Lakshmi Devi that she resembles Lakshmi ?

Aakaasha Raja was tired of searching for a groom for Padmavathy as in case whether goddess or a human . At times after searching all over , we end up finding a groom in the neighboring house itself . As it was in those olden days and the days of values , the king was searching for the best groom of his status . Looking at this , Padmavathi’s friends were wondering  and were all waiting for a correct time to tease Padmavathi with the point that her father is searching for the best groom for her considering that she was not aware of it .

One day all of them went to a garden and started playing hide and seek . We can imagine how freely they were playing several games . After playing so much they felt very hungry .

Generally after going on a walk, people get exhausted and eat like gluttons . After fasting for a week , suddenly people eat like gluttons which is not a good exercise and dieting . Some people after keeping awake on Shivaratri , will sleep for three days which is not correct . One needs to be organized in exercising and dieting .

Here the friends were playing and were tired. They were resting. They said, “Why are you playing with us friends? This is the age when you should be wandering leisurely with a prince”. Padmavati felt shy. Yet at the same time she was angered with them. Her friends began to pull her leg. Having teased her they left her alone and went away.

Padmavati went and sat beneath and tree and pondered- why are my friends teasing me in this manner? I am still young and am in the playing age. I should now find an astrologer who will predict my future’-

Even as she was thinking, an old ascetic female came there saying- “I can predict your future.” Padmavati could not figure out whether it was a man or a woman who had suddenly appeared from behind the trees. The disguise was funny.

Seeing him she asked, “Who are you?” “I am your family priest” replied the person. “Now quickly show me your hand. I will predict your future. I will tell you the kind of husband you are going to get. I will give details of the groom and his location”.

Padmavati was terrified. she wanted to run away from there. The old ascetic said, “I am like your father. Do not get terrified. I know the desire in your heart. Unless you know your future you will be anxious. hence learn from me the details of your future husband. I will tell you the exact details”.

Padmavati was now convinced that the ascetic spoke the truth. She allowed him to read her palm. He said, “Wonderful! Aha! What a divine hand this is! I have never before come across a divine wonderful horoscope like this. You will not marry any ordinary man. You will marry the Supreme Lord himself! He will meet you shortly. He is living here nearby. I bless you”. saying this he disappeared.

“Narayana! Narayana!”- said the ascetic and then assuming his original form as Narada he went away happily.

Padmavati was unsure whether it was a dream or real. So she checked behind the tree if he was still there. there was no one.

Padmavati was thrilled with this prediction. Her heart was instantly fixed upon the Supreme Lord Madhava.

Today, we shall proceed with the story of the agreement between Varahaswamy and Lord Srinivasa.

We saw that the wound caused by the cowherd brought deep pain to the Lord. Unable to bear the pain, as instructed by Brihaspati, he decided to search for herbs that could be used as medicine for the wound. He searched for a long time but strangely, no herb was to be found. The pain went down but none were found.

One fine day, as he was searching for the herbs,a huge being approached Him with loudly pounding footsteps. Srinivasa was unable to recognize Him. This was around dawn. Who comes here at this time, wondered Lord Srinivasa. Soon He realized that it was Varahaswamy. Varahaswamy had just then killed demon Vrushabhasura. The anger and ferocity had not yet gone down. He was ferocious and hence walked with pounding steps. In such intense anger, his eyes were fiery. Lord Srinivasa got scared. This happened despite Him being an avatara purusha because He was born human and is bound to have some human aspects.

Here, was one entity, very scary and simultaneously another human form, both of Lord Maha Vishnu! Naturally, the human form got scared. Therefore, unable to face the mighty Varahaswamy, the human Lord Srinivasa got scared. Varahaswamy also noticed Lord Srinivasa. He questioned Lord Srinivasa as to who gave him permission to enter his forest and uproot plants all around. Some plants were getting destroyed as well. I feel you are responsible for this, are you, he roared! Varahaswamy was unable to control the resounding voice. The region trembled, not just with his footsteps but even his voice. Lord Srinivasa who were already in pain, got scared and ran away to hide in the anthill. We must interpret such incidences as divine play. We must not question or try to find logic. Do not get the doubt as to how Lord Vishnu can be afraid of himself.
Since He has assumed the form of a human, He is bound by human nature. Just like in Rama avatara where Rama and Parashurama face each other. Similar is the case here. So, Lord Srinivasa disappeared even before Varahaswamy could catch him. When Varahaswamy followed Lord Srinivasa and reached the place, all he could see was a radiant anthill. He wondered why it was glowing. Then he realized that Lord Srinivasa was Srihari. Varahaswamy was horripilated.

Varahaswamy surrendered to him and requested him to come out of the anthill. You are verily Maha Vishnu, said Varahaswamy. During this time, the energy was getting transferred from one to another at this time.

Till now Varahaswamywas angry and He threatened Srinivasa so much so that Srinivasa rushed back to his anthill and hid. Now seeing Srinivasa in his glory Varahaswamy was terrified. It was game reversal.  Varahaswamy cooled down and began singing praises of Lord Srinivasa and asked him why He got scared seeing Varahaswamy when Lord Srinivasa was, in fact, the Lord of the entire world.
Prithvi Vaishnavi Punya…
This world is of Maha Vishnu. It belongs solely to You. You are being worshiped by the entire earth. So saying, He begged Lord Srinivasa to come out and bless him with his darshan. This endearing act melted Lord Srinivasa
Bhajan: Sri Krishna Keshava Vaikuntha Madhava

Hearing these words Srinivasa’s heart melted. Once he was pleased, Srinivasa stepped out of the anthill. Varahaswamy embraced Lord Srinivasa. Srinivasa reciprocated the affection. Seeing this, the Gods above showered them with flowers. Seeing both the forms at the same time, the Gods felt blessed. Then Varahaswamy asked Lord Srinivasa, “O Lord why did you leave Vaikunta and come to earth?” Srinivasa explained how the great sage Bhrugu kicked him and the insulted Goddess Lakshmi left Vaikuntha in anger. He narrated how He came searching for her and a cowherd struck him with the axe and how he is suffering in pain. Hence looking for medicinal herbs I have been going around, Lord Srinivasa explained. But the more I see this place, I want to say here, expressed the Lord.

“There is some kind of unique serenity here. In fact, I want to stay here. This is a very special place. Whoever comes here, their sins get dispelled. Hence this place is Venkatadri!”- said the Lord

Ayam venkatanamadri…
This Venkatachalam is famed across the three worlds. This is greater than my sacred abode Vaikuntha. It is dearer to me. I will stay here till the end of Kaliyuga.

Hence, in this age, Lord Srinivasa is our only God. We must worship him as the sole God on earth in kaliyuga. Expressing His fondness for the region, Lord Srinivasa, requested Varahaswamy to give him some place on the earth, which Varahaswamy has salvaged.

Land is one fourths of the earth. We are surrounded by water. An apocalyptic wave in the waters that will submerge the land mass is imminent. Even today, several calamities occur across the globe where small landmasses are getting submerged. Land is disappearing.
Since you are the one that has protected it, I request you to give me some space here, said Lord Srinivasa. I shall be witness to the happenings during Kaliyuga and will protect my devotees. There is so much mystery in the ways Gods speak. It is confusing at times. Maybe such words are a test for us. For example, though bewildered by the all-pervasive Maha Vishnu’s, Varahaswamy proposes to sell a piece of land to Lord Srinivasa.

Looking at the cowherd lying down and the blood on the anthill , they decided that someone killed the cowherd. The king started shouting out for the culprit as per his guess . The king expected that the one who killed the cowherd was hiding in the anthill and shouted at him asking him to come out .

Srinivasa also shouted ” I AM COMING ” with a thundering voice which shattered the clouds , made the movement of the air faster due to which the anthill was collapsed . Srinivasa manifested in all brightness . Chola Raja was in surprise . Srinivasa ! Govinda ! Srinivasa questioned the king as to how dare he was to make a cowherd beat Srinivasa .

The king was supposed to protect dharma and be discriminate when something went wrong. He was not supposed to send a guard to kill people without having a clear information. For doing so , Srinivasa cursed him to become an evil spirit and keep roaming . A Pishachi is that which would struggle even for water. A very pathetic state of life . He was transformed into a Pishachi ghost. But soon he realized how much he troubled Srinivasa .

The king immediately addressed Srinivasa as Deva Deva Srinivasa and sought pardon from him for behaving in an irrational way . Srinivasa said that His word could not be taken back and hence he had to undergo the punishment for sometime .

In the coming years , in chola dynasty , a girl would be born who would marry Srinivasa . After some time , when Srinivasa becomes Venkateswara and wears a diamond studded crown in the evening times of Friday , those who have that Darshan will get rid of their sins and the pleasant feeling they experience will cut down the curse and the intensity of devilish ness in them and lead a happy life .

Srinivasa , unable to tolerate the pain of the injury , remembered His Guru , Brihaspati . Srinivasa complained Brihaspati of His injury and requested him to give him a medicine . Brihaspati was pleased for being called by Srinivasa who called him with an intention of giving him the first Darshan on the hill . Brihaspati reminded Srinivasa of the injuries that occurred on nails He had in Narasimha Avatara , when killed Hiranya Kashipa . He also reminded that Srihari got them cured by applying the fruit juice of fig tree along with the latex of calotropis .

Brihaspati said ” oh Srinivasa !! “Despite the indisposition you will never stop giving Darshan to the devotees, as you love them so much. ” Brihaspati said that he would retire from that place if Venkateswara permitted him . Venkateswara felt happy for reminding him of his favorite Avatara of Narasimha Swamy and permitted him to leave that place . Brihaspati left the place .

Venkateswara thought of himself to be Lord Rama , the tree to be Dasaratha , the anthill as his mother Kausalya and the hill as Lakshmmana . Venkateswara recollected the sweet memories of his Rama avatara and felt the place as Ayodhya . Lord Venkateswara wanted the place to change into Ayodhya and it happened so !Venkateswara switched over to Krishna Avatara . The tamarind tree was addressed by Him as Vasudeva , His father , the anthill as Devaki Mata ,and pushkarini as Yamuna River .

This thought process of Venkateswara indicated to us that whole in sorrow , we should recollect the good nature of people and also good friends . While in sorrow , we should not multiply it by being sorrowful. . Recollect your own happy moments or the events narrated by Sadguru or the mesmerizing smile of Sadguru to forget the sorrow . We should never recollect sorrows and always recollect pleasant moments . We always recollect the sorrowful events and keep lamenting for them. Learn to think of only good events. Keep smiling always and is the best quality , a Kalyana characteristic of a queen . Looking at the animals , He said they are Yadavas .

Also recollect how Sadguru compared Ganagapura , Ayodhya and other places and enjoy bliss . Instead of enjoying the divinity of those places , if we spot out and stare at various shops of eatables and attractive things , the pilgrimage is of no use . Smile heartily .Looking at the animals , He said they are Yadavas Looking at small birds , He expressed that He is lord Krishna and all the birds are Gopikas.

Bhajan :

Vande Mukundam Vande Aravindam !!!

Srinivasa who was very tired, fell asleep quickly.