Manifestation of Lord Venkateswara Swamy Shines with
Lord Sri Mahavishnu left Vaikuntam and reached Venkatadri as Lord Venkateswara Swamy to protect and bless the devotees. Venkatadri is also known as Venkatachalam. It is one of the seven hills of Tirumala, considered a heavenly abode on the earth.
The sanctum sanctorum where Sri Venkateswara Swamy resides in the temple was covered by a gold-plated ‘gopuram’ called ‘Ananda Nilayam’.
Sthanakamurthy / Sthanaka Virahamurthy
In the sanctum sanctorum, Lord Venkateswara Swamy is in the divine form in the ‘Brahma Sthaana.’ The image of the Lord is over eight feet tall and is believed to be the self-manifested one. This Salagramamurthy is called ‘Sthanakamurthy’ because He is in the standing posture. He is Dhruvamurti or Dhruvaberam because His idol is stable.
The Lord is also called ‘Sthanaka Virahamurthy’ as He is the only one without His consorts.
Entamatramuna nevvaru dalachina antamatrame nivu
antarantamu lenci chuda bindanthe nippatiyannatlu
koluthuru mimu vaishnavulu kurimito visnhudani
palukuduru mimu vedantulu parabrahmambanuchu
taluturu mimu saivulu tagina bhaktulu sivudanuchu
alari pogududuru kapalikulu adi bhairavudanuchu….
—Thallapaka Annamacharya
You are that, what one perceives you as if appraised rightly, however, the dough is, so turns out the pancake! If you are Sree Venkatapathi, the Lord who accepts us, right here I surrender unto you! For me, this is the highest truth!
Standing on the Padma Peetham the Lord wears a sword called ‘Nandaka’.
The manifestation of the Lord shines with Surya Katari, Crown, Thirunamam, Vyuha Lakshmi in His bosom along with Sankhu, Chakra, Varada and Kati ‘hasthas’, Naagabharanaas, Camphor on the chin.
Netra Darshan
In Tirumala every Thursday, the main deity was divested of all ornaments, flowers etc. The deity was draped only in Dhoti and Uttareeyam. The Thirunamam and Kasturi on the forehead of the main deity were also reduced in size resulting in the unique ‘Netra Darshan‘ (where the divine eyes of the Lord can be seen).
Now, here Let us see some specialities of the Lord in a glance.
1. Thirunamam
Thirunamam worn on the forehead of the Lord is called ‘Urdvapundram.’ It is offered once a week after Abhishekam every Friday. It is made of 16 tulas of ‘pacchakarpuram’ (camphor) and one and a half tula of ‘kasturi’ (musk).
Before the Brahmotsavams and during the Brahmotsavas, on Fridays following the Brahmotsavams, double camphor and musk are used for ‘Thirunamam.’ Therefore, this ‘namam’ is called as ‘Rettimpunamam’ and on every Thursday this ‘namam’ is shortened and the Lord’s eyes are visible to the devotees.
2. Sankham and Chakram
The Lord appears with Sankham (conch) and Sudarshana Chakram (Discus) in both hands. They are said to have been established by Sri Ramanujacharya in his times.
3. Varada Mudra
The two hands of Lord Venkateswara are called Varada Hastha and Kati Hashta. Varada Mudra is found in the right hand of the Lord. His right palm points downwards. Varada means giving boons. This is said to be an indication that whoever takes refuge at His holy lotus’ feet is a true devotee and will be blessed.
4. Kati Hastam
Swami holds Kati Hastam (left hand). Keeping the hand near His knees, kati, symbolizes that whoever surrenders at His feet will be blessed with boons. By placing His hand on the pelvis, the Lord reminds the vital part of man and warns him not to get too much attachment towards anything.
5. Camphor on the Chin
The Lord’s chin is decorated with ‘pacchakarpooram’ and appears white. Earlier, a devotee named Ananthalwar reached Tirumala and developed a flower garden to serve the Lord. With the help of his wife, he used to dig the garden well. During this time the Lord appeared as a boy and tried to help in digging.
But Ananthalvar refused. But the boy continued to help Ananthalvar’s wife. Ananthalvar got angry and threw the crowbar at the boy. The boy got injured. Later the boy was identified as the Lord and ‘pacchakarpooram’ was applied to the wound on the chin.
6. Vakshasthala Lakshmi
Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi is on the chest of Lord Srinivasa. It appears that Goddess Lakshmi is on both sides of the Lord’s bosom, but Ammavaru is on one side of Moolavirattu’s bosom. Ammavaru is invisible due to decoration. During Abhishekam, Ammavaru appears clearly. She is smeared with turmeric powder.
Chaturvimshati Namavali Puja
It is said that Ammavaru is the main reason for ‘Abhishekam’ to the Lord on Friday. After chanting the Lord’s Sahasranama and Ashtottaranama thrice daily, the Goddess is worshipped with the 24 names from the Varaha Puranam. The name of this worship is ‘Chaturvimshati Namavali Puja’.
The grand ‘darshan’ of the Lord holding the goddess in Her bosom brings grace to both. Moreover, the Lord tells the world the real position of a wife which is very significant.
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7. Surya Katari
The sword is one of Lord Vishnu’s five weapons. It is known as Nandakam and Surya Katari. It is believed that this weapon is meant to punish the wicked and protect the righteous. Pada kavita Pithamaha Thallapaka Annamacharya emerged from the sword called Nandaka to write ‘keerthanas’ on Lord Venkateswara and condemn the sinfulness of the world. The message given by the Lord through this sword is to remove ignorance, carelessness and disregard on the part of human beings.
8. Nagabaranas
The Lord appears wearing ‘nagabharanas’ on both the lower sides of the shoulders and above the elbows. These jewels are symbolic of Adisesha and the Lord shows His benevolence by making His followers the part of His body. Remarkably, Seshu is the first vehicle in the Brahmotsavams.
9. Silk Clothes
Every Friday after Abhishekam, a 24-mura-long and 4-mura-wide ‘dhoti’ is used for decorating Lord Venkateswara. Apart from this, a 12 mura long and two mura wide silk cloth is worn as Uttareeyam. On Thursday, these are removed and the ‘dhoti’ is decorated and the Uttariyam is put up like ‘yajnopaveetham’
Brahma Kadigina Paadamu
Brahmamu taane nee paadamu….
– Sri Thallapaka Annamacharya
The Lord stands on Padmapeetham. His lotus feet are always covered with golden sheets, wonderful flowers and ‘tulsi’ leaves. It is possible to see the Lord’s feet only on the day of ‘Abhishekam i.e, Friday. While worshipping the Lord’s feet, taking shelter and serving Him means that the devotee has given up his pride at the Lord’s feet and becomes His true devotee by his humbleness.
Sri Venkataachalaadheesham
sriyadyaasitha vakshasam
Srithachetana mandaaram
sreenivasa mahambhaje!!
