Brahmotsavam

God Srinivasa was the cynosure of every eye, strolling on the streets of Tirumala with Sridevi and Bhudevi.

• One day he would ride a horse, comparable to Ucchaisrava,
• on another on an elephant like Airavata,
• on yet another day Adisesha or Garuda, the personification of the Vedas.

He showered his blessings on all the devotees, both human and divine, who went there to witness the great festival.

The services of the cars (Vahanas) were preceded by a melodious rendition of songs by the Gandharvas to the accompaniment of strung as well as percussion instruments.

• Apsaras danced to the tune of instruments.
• Vandi and Magadha sang in praise of Srinivasa.
• Rich devotees offered food and clothes to the pilgrims.
• To the learned and deserving, they gifted gold and houses.

“Srinivasotsavadinam punyam papapranasanam” – “The day of Srinivasa’s festival dispels sins and showers blessings on all” – so saying, the pilgrims praised Brahma who organized the festival. God Srinivasa said to Brahma who organized a grand festival with chariots twice a day and food (naivedyam) thrice a day, “Brahma, your wish is fulfilled. I am pleased.

This festival will hereafter be known as Brahmotsavam. All those who witness the Rathotsava organized by you will easily cross the insurmountable ocean of ‘samsara’ and will be blessed, and liberated from the cycle of birth and death. I will protect them all with my mercy. As they believe, so shall they be blessed”.

Srinivasa asked Brahma to wish for a boon

“Those who earnestly offer food, clothes, money, houses or utensils to the deserving and the devotees during the yajna called Brahmotsava (ut + sava = utsava) will be blessed and will prosper in life with riches and happiness”. So saying, Srinivasa asked Brahma to wish for a boon.

Brahma saluted Srinivasa and prayed to him, ”O God, please stay here on this Venkatachala so that all may witness you. Allow a festival like this, to be celebrated, annually. Protect everyone with your mercy, showering boons and blessings on all.

Grant me this, my wish”. Srinivasa consented and granted him the boon. “Brahma, I will stay on Venkatadri as you wish, appear to the people and protect them all with my mercy, confer on their prosperity and happiness”.

Srinivasa – Boon – Giver

True to his word, Srinivasa (Venkateswara), the boon – giver will stay until the epoch of Kali (Kaliyuga), till the end of the Sweta Varaha Kalpa on Venkatadri. In recognition of the great deed of Brahma in arranging for the festivities (for the bliss of the world) of Srimannarayana who incarnated himself for the worship of people at the request of Brahma, the Venkateswara Ashtottaranama Stotra has a reference to Brahma,

“Om Brahma kritotsavaya Sri Venkatesaya Namah” (49) – “salutations to Sri Venkateswara who has accepted the celebrations arranged by Brahma”. Brahma is a blessed soul.

Venkatachalapathi  – fulfilling all their wishes

All the gods, saints, and people who came to see the great celebrations in honor of Srinivasa, conducted by Brahma, felt happy that they could see to their eyes content, Venkatachalapathi who has the power to fulfill all their wishes, washing away all their sins and conferring blessings on them all, thanks to the penance, good deeds or austerities performed in their past lives, maybe.

So saying, they bade farewell to Srinivasa and returned to their abodes with the Lord’s permission.

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