Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbhalayam)
The Sanctum Sanctorum ‘Garbhalayam’ is a place of God’s presence. It is a holy place, sacred, spiritualised with Vedic Mantras Vibration. The Vibration inside the Sanctum Sanctorum is more effective and spreads unseen rays of God’s mercy. The sacramental vibration kindles the inner nerve of the human body to invigorate spiritual communion with the Lord in the Garbhalayam.
Eyes are to be opened to see the beautiful Lord in His merciful form without shouting or speaking to others.
In the temple, devotees should not allowed to boast of themselves or talk. As per Saraswathi Rahasyopanishad, it is a leinous crime. Simplicity is to be followed. A devotee should tie the upper cloth to his waist and behave like a servant of God. Every mantra in the temple uttered has to reach Saraswati Devi.
Any fault or wrongly spelt of the mantra will have dire consequences. Only those Gods inside or in the corridor are to be prayed inside the temple. Namaskaram with folded hands to be done to the Acharyas (preceptors) and other prostrations are not to be done.
The prasadam given in the temple is to be eaten with Devotion and fear. It should not be taken in a lump sum to home and eat as the prasadam effect will be lost.
The parasara samhita says that devotees in the temple must behave with high integrity and honesty lest they will be thrown into Hell along with all their family members.
Powerful Place of God
The Garbhalaya or Sanctum Sanctorum is considered the powerful place of God. The Lord is consecrated with powerful Vedic mantras as per Agama Sastra. Due to the Vedic chants and rituals, the place will be ever vibrating within that area.
The moolavarlu or the main Deity in the form of a statue will be seen predominantly with a good height, Compared to other idols. The purpose was to show the prominence and importance of the Lord. Lord Venkateswara is seen as gigantic and is seen from a distance also by the devotees. Even then His darshan is more attractive.
Pedestal Lamps
The Garbhalaya of Lord Srinivasa is so well constructed that the deity is seen from 100 mts. There are lamps hung on either side and two big Akhanda (Pedestal lamps) located on both sides with thick wicks dipped in ghee. The light from the lamps focuses on the Lord and the effulgent Lord with His original light gives darshan to the devotees.
The right hand palm shows down the lotus feet in a way to salvation and the left hand at the waist assures the devotees that they will be protected by Him and will lead them to Sri Vaikuntam. The right hand palm is called as Vaikunta Hastam and the left hand as Kati Hastam.
Moreover, the Divine mother Sri Lakshmi who is inseparably present with the Divinity in the Garbhalaya occupying the chest of Lord Srinivasa could mediate or bring about the Samyoga Sambandhe with the Divine. So the Lord in the bewitching position in the Garbhalaya along with Goddess could provide all that is asked by the Devotee.
Sri Srinivasa is supposed to be the Kaliyuga pratyaksha Daivam. His abode Tirumala is worshipped by many sages, saints and Acharyas.
Kulasekhara padi
Kulasekhara Alwar a great king cum Bhakta of Lord Srinivasa eulogizes the Lord in his Perumal Tirumozhi that he (Alwar) may be born as a Fish or a stone or anything in Tirumala and finally prays that he may be allowed to see the “coral lips” of the Lord in the Sanctum Sanctorum lying at a step to His Garbhalaya. Even today the step at Garbhalaya is called as Kulasekhara padi.
The Archakas, Jeers, Acharya Purushas and other Paricharakas fold their hands and enter the Garbhalaya by crossing it and not putting their feet as the belief that Kulasekhara Alwar is lying there at the doorstep of Garbhalaya and enjoying the smiling face of Lord Srinivasa who has coral lips.
A look at the Lord is considered as most happy event for the devotee. A glimpse is enough for him to come again and again to the abode of the Lord. Crossing all barriers and reaching the Lord’s Garbhalaya to have His darshan is the most important to a devotee.
When he looks at the Lord, the devotee chants govinda govinda and forgets his tale of vows immediately. The ecstasy experienced by him is inexplicable.
– Sri T.K. Krishnaswami Thathacharya
