Kuruva Nambi / Kuravarathi Nambi
King Thondaman
Lord Venkateswara appeared as a Self Emerged Idol on the hills of Tirumala. Having come to know about this emergence the local king Thondaman started worshiping the Chief Idol with Golden Tulasi leaves. The priests used to chant the thousand-eight names of Lord Venkateswara.
After uttering a name they used to place one Golden Tulasi petal near the Feet of the Chief Idol. This was the daily routine of the king Thondaman. Slowly King Thondaman had a feeling that no other devotee of Lord Venkateswara could offer golden Tulasi petals to Lord, like himself. He was rather proud of this.
Bhima (Potter) / Potter Nambi
On one fine morning, Thondaman visited the temple. To his shocking surprise he found that near the Lotus Feet of Lord, there are flowers of a glue-yielding tree. His Golden Tulasi petals were pushed behind. Suddenly Thondaman heard the voice of Lord Venkateswara. The Lord said: ‘There are many devotees who are very dear to Me.
Among them, there is one potter by the name Bhima. He prepares mud pots required for temple utilization. Not only this, he had one wooden carving of Mine. He worships Me with all sincerity that he has at his command. He makes earthen flowers and offers them to Me. Today morning you have seen only those flowers.
Towards the north, at a distance of 10 miles, he lives in a village. I love the mud flowers offered by him. Hence don’t be under the impression that you are the only devotee dear to Me’. King Thondaman came to his senses.
By giving up everything and his kingly paraphernalia he walked the distance and reached the dwelling place of Bhima the potter. He offered his salutations to the dear devotee of Lord Venkateswara. Because of the tiresome journey he fell and lost consciousness.
Suddenly to the surprise of the potter, Lord Venkateswara appeared there. He praised the Lord and humbly requested the Lord to be his guest for the day. Lord readily agreed and ate Ragi Balls offered to Him on an earthen platter.
ODU
Seeing unusual scenes celestial beings from heaven showered flowers. Meanwhile, a heavenly chariot descended to earth. With their mundane body the potter couple i.e., Bhimas were taken to heaven. As a token of remembrance even today Naivedyams are offered to the Chief Idol by keeping them in a broken earthen pot. They call it “ODU”.
Over the years, the potter Bhima came to be known as ‘Kuruva Nambi’ and Kuravarathi Nambi. This incident proves the fact that Lord Venkateswara cares only for sincere devotion and not for the caste creed or riches of the devotees. He enjoyed the food offered by the potter and ate Ragi Balls served on an earthen platter.
Several items are prepared for Naivedyam every day. But all these preparations are not taken into Sanctum Sanctorum. They are kept on the other side of Kulasekhara padi, gadapa i.e., threshold. Only a part of the preparation kept in a half-broken earthen pot is taken inside and kept near the Chief Idol. Lord Venkateswara relishes only this food.
Thomani Pallalawadu
Every day the naivedyam is offered in a new earthen (half-broken) pot. For this simple reason, people call him Thomani Pallalawadu i.e., every naivedyam submitted to Chief Idol is always put in a new earthen plate (odu) and not in a reusable plate.
Lord’s Divine Play
Lord Venkateswara is a wonderful prankster. He loves to play pranks with His devotees. Sometimes His practical jokes may boomerang.
In Dwapara yuga His cowherd friends had abused him mouthfully. Sometimes He was even beaten up. He loves being abused by His childhood friends. All these qualities he has acquired from that mischievous Gopala Krishna.
Even in this Kaliyuga Tirumala Nambi, a great devotee had abused Him profusely for drinking water from the pot meant for the Lord Himself. There is one more incident. Once by changing His guise He went to His devotees’ house and became a bonded labourer.
The devotee once had beaten Him to a pulp when a bonded labourer failed to discharge His duties to the best satisfaction of the master. The severe beating had left a mark on His face. Even to this day, we can see a scar on the face of the Chief Idol. Archakas cover it with crude camphor. This coating makes the idol more beautiful and enchantingly attractive.
